Just because someone is working a program of addiction recovery, does not mean that life is going to be “walk in the park.” Sure, without drugs and alcohol in the picture one’s ability to handle certain situations can be much easier. Allowing you to navigate situation that in the past would have led to substance use in order to cope. Recovery acts more as glue which can hold one’s life together, especially when times are hard.

It is no secret that the average American cracks a beer or pops a cork after a long day at work. A method of decompression and release, to be sure. This behavior, at its core, is not harmful. But, when the behavior is occurring practically every day of the week it could be cause for concern. How we respond to stress can have a significant impact on the course of our lives.

The “normal” person may not have a problem with resorting to alcohol for stress relief. For the addict or alcoholic, on the other hand, drugs and alcohol are not an option. After a hard day at work, what is someone in an addiction recovery program to do? For starters, hitting a 12 Step meeting or calling a sponsor is an appropriate method of getting one’s troubles off their chest. Without substances to lean on, we must turn to our fellow group members for strength and support. Lest stress get the better of you.

Healthy Employment In Addiction Recovery

Some people working programs of recovery have high stress jobs. Perhaps careers, even. This could mean forty-hours + of being in an environment that is not at all conducive to a healthy recovery. The money might be good, but the cost to one’s program can be great. Which is why it is not uncommon for people in recovery to make employment or career changes.

In order to improve the quality of life, it might be important to consider whether the field of work you are in is good for you. What role did the kind of work you do have in the progression of this most serious mental illness? If you have a high stress job, the answer to that is likely to be a big role.

Some people who are new to recovery may not be in a position to change their employment. At least not right away. What’s more, making big life changes in early recovery may have an effect opposite of what was intended. Any major life change undergone in recovery should be conducted methodically and with great consideration. Making sure that the decision you are making isn’t going to do more harm than good. That is not to say that you are stuck in an unhealthy job forever, just that the “what” and the “when” should be carefully thought over. Being careful to avoid rash, impulsive decisions.

Getting Help With Addiction, And Life

If you are in need of addiction treatment, you may be reading this and thinking it does not apply to you. Maybe you are currently unemployed, having lost your job to addiction. Juggling work and substance misuse is no easy task, after all. With that in mind, clients who undergo treatment at Guardian IOP are subject to life-skills training. In addition to learning how to live a life in recovery, you will experience courses that will help you hold down a job in recovery.

Just because you are no longer using, doesn’t mean you will automatically be better at handling stress. We will work with you on being more effective at communication, honing your social skills to improve your ability to function in the Workforce. Having a job in early recovery can be vital to your success, keeping busy and focused on things other than Yourself. Please contact Guardian to begin the lifesaving process of addiction recovery.