Finding a Job While in Recovery
Common challenges to employment
Addiction can impact all aspects of employment — from finding your next opportunity to performance and productivity at your current job. Some experts estimate that about half of people in treatment for drug or alcohol issues have experienced employment-related problems.
Stable employment benefits recovery, but those in recovery may face additional challenges. People recovering from addiction face an unemployment rate three times higher than the average rate.
Some common challenges to finding a job and staying employed include:
- Managing recovery and the stigma that can still accompany the recovery process.
- Addressing gaps in skills, education levels, or work history.
- Attending to health issues that may take time out of the workday.
- Finding transportation to work, especially for those who have had their driver’s license suspended or other transportation privileges revoked.
- Arranging childcare while at work.
- Maintaining stable housing.
- Resolving issues related to criminal justice involvement such as a criminal record or need to fulfill court-ordered responsibilities.
- Navigating potentially toxic or triggering work environments.
Advantages for people in recovery
While there are many challenges to finding a job during recovery, you also possess many strengths that you can use to your advantage. Recovery teaches valuable personal traits that translate directly to a successful career:
- Gratitude
- Integrity
- Resilience
- Conscientiousness
- The wisdom of lived experience
Additionally, skills learned in recovery can help you find and succeed in a job:
- Communication and personability
- Negotiation
- Organization and routine
- Discipline and self-management
- Persistence and tenacity
- Problem-solving
- Resourcefulness
Steps for finding employment
Finding a job after rehab or substance use treatment can seem daunting. As you look to return to work, consider how to apply your interests, experiences, and skill sets to a career. Here are a few steps you can take to find fulfilling employment as you recover:
Set goals. Add employment-specific goals to your recovery plan. Start with smaller targets and build from there. These could be simple pledges such as making a list of skills you’d like to learn and available job assistance resources. A helpful goal-setting framework is SMART goals, which recommends making goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Learn more about setting recovery goals.
Locate job assistance. Look for job assistance services from your state, county, or local government or employment-related nonprofits. These programs offer assistance in areas such as developing resumes, applying for jobs online, preparing for interviews, and getting a GED (similar to a high school diploma). See if supported employment such as Individual Placement and Support is an option.
Attend career fairs. Attend career fairs online or in the community. These provide opportunities to meet and talk with recruiters and learn how to apply for particular jobs.
Practice interviewing. Seek advice on how to interview for jobs and conduct mock interviews with friends and family.
Network. Talk to your friends, family, and peers to learn about job opportunities and build a list of contacts to help with employment-related tasks, including writing resumes and practicing for job interviews. You may be surprised by how helpful your social and community networks can be — both by helping you find leads for a job, and by offering emotional support throughout the process.
Explore opportunities to fill gaps in skills. If you have limited experience or gaps in your resume, build skills through paid or unpaid apprenticeships, internships, or volunteer work or seek temporary positions that can be stepstones to a permanent career.
Enroll in school. Gain skills by enrolling in higher education. If resources are limited, consider taking a few classes at the local community college before transferring to a formal higher education institution.
Earn a trade or certification. If you don’t have the time or resources for higher education, look into earning a trade, certification, or license, which can qualify you to apply for more work opportunities.
What are the best jobs for people in recovery?
The best job for a person in recovery is work that gives you purpose, financial stability, and a routine away from drugs and alcohol.
Some people in recovery find viable careers helping other people through their recovery journeys. A career as a peer support professional or peer recovery specialist may be personally meaningful for people who are themselves in recovery. If this interests you, use this directory to explore state-by-state peer recovery coaching training and certification programs. Also look into recovery-related jobs in areas such as recovery coaching, counseling, social work, and health care.
Laws and policies
It can be difficult to navigate the laws and policies related to substance use, misuse, treatment, and recovery in the workplace.
Know your legal protections
As a person in recovery, you have legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This federal law helps protect people who are in recovery from discrimination in the workforce: Employers may not discriminate against people with an addiction to alcohol. They also may not discriminate against people with a history of drug addiction if they are not currently using.
ADA protections apply differently at different stages of a job search — whether you are interviewing for a job, have received a job offer, or are currently working. Learn more about your protections under the ADA.
While you’re on the job, your employer must provide reasonable accommodations to support you during your recovery. These may include a modified work schedule so you can attend support group meetings or a leave of absence to receive treatment.
Other laws and policies
Certain public-sector and nonprofit organizations and other types of employers have legal requirements for establishing drug-free workplaces. ,, Outside of those entities, employer policies regarding substance misuse and/or substance use disorder vary from business to business. Although there are laws, regulations, and policies regarding substance use in the workplace, employers often have discretion in how they are followed or enforced.
Many workplaces set up rules balancing the safety of the workplace with the protection of civil rights. In some cases, a supervisor develops and manages policies related to substance use disorder reporting. Policies may cover the reporting process, confidentiality issues, fitness for duty, and other topics. They may also outline drug-testing policies, including the consequences for failing a drug test.
Although not required under the ADA, employers interested in retaining an employee whose substance misuse has impacted their ability to work effectively may offer a “last chance disciplinary agreement.” This can function as a return-to-work agreement after rehab, securing your position as long you take steps to correct performance issues. Employees who sign these agreements typically agree to attend treatment or take other corrective actions to keep their job. These agreements can be a win-win: When followed, you can return to work after rehab or substance misuse treatment and your employer avoids having to hire and train a new employee.
Be sure to review your company’s employee handbook, policies, or benefits guide to understand the resources available to you, or ask your employer or potential employer about policies related to recovery.
Recovery-friendly workplaces
The positive news is that some employers operate what are considered “recovery-friendly workplaces,” which are well-suited for people in or seeking recovery. These workplaces support people with substance misuse issues by:
- Acknowledging that misuse of drugs and alcohol is a treatable health condition and encouraging employees to seek help.
- Providing access to services such as substance use disorder treatment and recovery counseling.
- Educating employees in recovery about their rights to accommodations to recover from substance use disorders (i.e., taking breaks to attend counseling) and other recovery-related job protections.
- Reducing the harm of substance use in part by educating staff about substance use stigma, promoting conversations about these issues, and establishing peer support networks within the organization.
Look for employers that use “recovery-friendly” or “recovery-ready” branding in job announcements or on their websites.
Supporting recovery in the workplace
If you are an employer, knowing how to support employees who are in recovery is vital. Learn more about best practices to support employees in recovery—including recovery-friendly workplaces, Employee Assistance Programs, and employee resource groups.
Start by visiting these sites:
