One of the biggest hurdles people face when leaving a drug treatment program is entering back into daily living without the crutch of drugs and alcohol. It is completely normal to have anxiety and fear surrounding staying sober and maintaining a job. One common fear is if you can even obtain work, or if your job will want you back. Another common concern is what your job might do if you relapse.
These fears and worries are completely understandable, but they should be properly addressed while in treatment. It is important to remember that drug treatment programs are designed to give you the tools you need to transition successfully back into all aspects of daily living. Often, the emotions leading up to staying sober and maintaining a job is worse than the actual experience of it.
How Supportive Employers Handle Recovery
Currently, most employers have more understanding about addiction than previous decades. There are a multitude of companies that have established policies and procedures on how to handle addiction for their employees. Furthermore, these policies often provide resources and recognize addiction as the disease that it is.
Federal and state legislations also protect the rights of employees to seek drug treatment if necessary. According to laws addiction is regarded as a disability. Therefore, both employees and employers should try to address the root cause of the addiction, instead of focusing on only managing the symptoms. It is also important to see if your time in treatment is protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act. FMLA was established in order to protect employees who are struggling with their health, and seeking drug treatment for addiction is included in this act.
Research shows that employers who support and provide resources and programs for individuals in recovery have positive results. It’s important for employers to understand that having healthy employees only results in benefits for their own company. Furthermore, individuals in recovery are often good employees who maintain integrity and accountability in the workplace.
How To Make Your Transition After Rehab To Staying Sober And Maintaining A Job Easier
An employee in addiction recovery that is returning to work will have success if they establish a plan while in drug rehab for reentering the workforce and staying sober while maintaining a job. The Healing Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL has a number of methods that we teach our clients. These include:
- Decide What You Will Tell Your Coworkers Before Hand
Sometimes, communicating with your coworkers causes the most stress for those leaving a drug treatment center. Often, people ask where you have been when you come back to work. In order to relieve stress, you should prepare to answer common questions in advance. It’s a personal decision when it comes to your responses. Furthermore, your answers may vary depending on the person you are speaking to. No matter what you decide, The Healing Center’s rehab in Fort Lauderdale, FL will support your decisions and help you craft your answers.
- Maintain Up Front And Clear Communication With Your Manager And Employer
It’s important to maintain clear communication with your boss when you are in rehab. Preferably, you were honest with your employer prior to leaving from a drug treatment facility. If you were not, that is okay too. Most rehabs will help you navigate these conversations with your boss. At The Healing Center our case managers will sit down with you and walk you through how to handle things at work no matter what your situation is. We will help you and your boss set up a plan for your return to work. It is important to have realistic expectations when it comes to initial responsibilities and schedules. In addition, you should maintain communication with your HR department while in treatment and have a written plan and proof of treatment on file with them. An open line of communication is the biggest thing you can do to set yourself up for a healthy working environment when you leave treatment.
- Create A Support Network
Some companies offer support groups within their company. If not, some of your coworkers may also be in recovery and they will have the ability to relate to you based on personal experience. If none of these options are available to you, then don’t worry. You have the ability to build an outside support group as well. You can attend alumni meetings, self help groups (including NA and AA), attend therapy, and maintain relationships with supportive friends and families. No matter what it is important to have some level of a support network when you leave a rehab facility. This is a key factor to staying sober and maintaining a job.
Habits To Create In Order To Make The Transition Back To Work Easier Outside Of Work
There are a lot of different things that you can do outside of work in order to make your return process earlier. It is proven that a broader plan for support inside and outside of the workplace is the most effective way to make the transition. It is important to consider physical health, mental health, social relationships, environment, and spirituality when coming up with this aftercare plan.
Some of the things that you can do to build an outside support system include:
- Attending self help groups like NA or AA
- Regularly attending individual therapy appointments
- Attending an outpatient treatment program
- Going to alumni meetings
- Keeping up with doctors appointments including psychiatric appointments if necessary
- Fostering relationships with positive and healthy friends
- Leaning on supportive family
- Living in an environment that is healthy and supportive of your recovery
Drug And Alcohol Treatment In Fort Lauderdale
If you have been struggling with alcoholism or substance abuse, then it is time to seek treatment. One of the biggest fears some people face is the fact that their employer will be accommodating or even fire them. Rest assured this is not a reason to avoid getting help, and The Healing Center in South Florida is here to help you no matter what. We will stay in communication with your employer, provide you with a plan to re enter into a work environment. Furthermore, we will enroll you into our life skills program which helps with all aspects of being successful in daily living while in recovery. Remember, alcoholism and addiction are deadly diseases. Your life’s on the line. Do not wait to get treatment due to fear of losing your career. Eventually, addiction will inevitably affect your work life anyway. Early intervention can help save your job. Call our admissions team today to get the help you need from our Fort Lauderdale treatment center.
