Best Jobs for Recovering Drug Addicts

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health. The author gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the men and women who shared their experiences, strength and hope with our staff for this project. However, it could be a good direction in which to find a career while in recovery. OOD Jobs for Recovery staff will assist in coordinating comprehensive wraparound recovery support before case closure. There are a number of reasons why engaging in work that is illegal or that puts you in a position where you must do things that are illegal is dangerous for your recovery. First, illegal activities are often related to drug use, especially the creation, transport, or sales of illicit substances.

• There is no rule that says you must take the first job that comes along or that you have to stay in a job that is not working for you.
• The importance of such mutual aid to addiction recovery cannot be overstated.
• Social service managers write funding proposals, allocate resources, and administer programs.
• The people you work with should for the most part be positive people or fun to be around.

Check out this helpful list from DioceseOfJoliet.org, which includes some big name companies like Ace Hardware, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Buffalo Wild Wings, General Mills, and more. Be sure to check out Never Alone Recovery on Medium to read those featured stories. Amanda graduated from Butler County Drug Court through the OOD Jobs for Recovery program and worked with OOD to find employment.

Addiction Therapy

We also partner with business owners, corporations, and even local and state government for sensitivity training, FMLA coaching, and to ensure that our communities have access to life-saving rehabilitative resources. If you are wondering how to choose a drug rehab, Never Alone Recovery offers invaluable help. With state-of-the-art alcohol rehabs in Indiana, we can provide you with the tools to recover. The program enables clients to achieve meaningful employment and adopt the positive principles that will enrich their lives now and in the future. You can also look for steady entry-level work that allows you to earn a paycheck and build job skills as you take steps to rebuild your life. If that’s not an option, try to find a fulfilling career that allows you to help others, or that provides opportunities for upward mobility.

A get-well job refers to a low-stress job for people re-entering the workforce. That can apply to someone in recovery, but it can also be for people who were incarcerated or dropped out of the workforce for other reasons. As you consider your employment options, remember to avoid putting yourself in a situation where you’re under too much pressure. If you are able to find employment, it is wise to avoid taverns or restaurants that serve alcohol. If possible, you should also avoid looking for employment where it is located near those places that you used to use drugs and alcohol.

What did your career trajectory look like after you graduated? How did you end up in your current position?

That idea — that with a little context, employers will give someone a chance — is the foundation for Retrofit Careers. He always made an effort to hire people in recovery for his construction business, and he knew there were other employers out there like him. So he figured there should be a formal way to connect people in recovery with workplaces that will understand their situation. Tulvey put his resume on Indeed, like usual, but he didn’t get any responses.

Mental health counselors often work with a specific group, such as children, veterans, or senior citizens. Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals may provide specialized medical attention to individuals who have addictions, usually in an inpatient or outpatient rehab facility. A person experiencing a drug overdose, for example, may need immediate medical attention. Patients may then undergo detoxification and receive help dealing with the symptoms of withdrawal. Students learn to evaluate the physiological, social, and psychological signs of drug abuse.

Jobs That Are Supportive of Your Recovery

There may be some obstacles, such as gaps in work history or references, possible arrests, and uncertainty about revealing your past. Fortunately, the Americans with Disabilities Act does legally prohibit discrimination on the basis of medical history, including drug addiction and rehab. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation https://stylevanity.com/2023/07/top-5-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-choosing-sober-house.html does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. To renew their licenses and certifications, professionals typically need to participate in continuing education opportunities, such as those listed above. Clinical psychologists use a variety of techniques to help people experiencing addiction better understand why they face the challenges they do.

• Lyle also continues to work in several areas of advocacy at the local, state, and national level.
• Worry regarding explaining gaps in employment, potentially facing discrimination, or having to discuss your history with substance abuse can all be barriers you perceive.
• However, these laws do not protect those who are currently abusing drugs and alcohol.
• Not only do you get to work with what you love, but you can also maintain a schedule that works with your recovery plan.

If staying involved in the recovery community and working with others to achieve sobriety is your goal, check out our program to learn how to become a substance use counselor, or contact us with any questions. Many who complete treatment are inspired by their counselors to follow in their footsteps and become part of the recovery process. Although reentering the workforce after treatment can be difficult, your past does not dictate your future. With perseverance and diligence, you have every opportunity to build a career that brings you fulfillment. Over the course of this guide, we’ll provide you with valuable insights and resources to drive your job search forward.

NEW The Second Chance Business Coalition promotes the benefits of second chance employment and provides employers with resources to hire and provide career advancement to people with criminal records. Not everyone is a people-person or has the communication skills required for counseling, therapy, or management careers. Jobs with patterned routines are great for individuals who prefer to work independently. Like being a chef, a career as a professional gardener lets you focus on patterned tasks. This is an important trait to look for when deciding on jobs for recovering addicts.

Also called addiction counselors, these practitioners work with individual clients and groups. They identify problems and develop treatment plans that include health services and supplementary resources. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors also help clients gain new skills and rebuild family relationships. A typical curriculum covers core concepts in abnormal psychology, lifespan development, and sociology of social problems. Students develop addiction counseling skills to help individuals, groups, and dysfunctional family systems.

What is a Get-Well Job?

This can be very draining if you’re doing it day in and day out and don’t take enough time for yourself and practice self-care. Cali Estes, Ph.D., is an author, addiction therapist, and life/corporate coach who specializes in harm reduction. She has over 20 years of experience helping people overcome drug, alcohol, and food addictions. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.