How to Discuss the Recovery Journey with Potential Employers

Alumni that have navigated detox and residential treatment programs in Hawaii and are creating their new life of sobriety can still be met with many stresses and challenges. One of the most difficult hurdles for many overcoming substance use disorder (SUD) comes with their pursuit of new employment in the professional sphere. Experiencing stress while pursuing new professional paths entirely is common, and being able to successfully navigate interviews in sobriety is necessary. Unfortunately, however, there are still varying levels of understanding regarding terms like” addiction” and “recovery” in employers. 

Knowing how to discuss recovery with potential employers during interviews can make a huge difference in effectively pursuing employment and reaching a new understanding with potential employers. 

Unfortunately, discussing recovery or a person’s journey with addictive substances may be unavoidable. For some, gaps in their resume from spending time at detox or residential treatment may prompt questions about how they were spending their time. Others may choose to be upfront about their journey in their resume or cover letter to create an upfront atmosphere of honesty with potential employers. Being prepared to address some questions regarding each person’s journey is necessary, both to emotionally process them and rehearse potential responses.

However, each individual will have their own ways of dealing with discussing their recovery with potential employers. Knowing how to navigate these questions when they come up in a professional setting can empower those in recovery to continue pursuing their own professional goals while successfully managing their continued sobriety. 

Recovery is a complicated topic. As so, not all employers will have the same levels of understanding regarding the topic. However, it may be important to discuss recovery to some degree with employers. For some, this discussion is necessary to create schedules that fit with a person’s established and continuing outpatient treatment programs or other sober obligations. Others may feel it necessary to have a person to confide in the workplace to process stresses or other challenges that may continue to manifest.

Paying attention to the language used, how much information to disclose, and other communication skills can all help those in recovery address their sober journey with potential employers while still presenting themselves favorably throughout the interview process. 

Language plays an important role in communication, especially regarding addiction and recovery. While employers may not necessarily have adapted to the changes in the language surrounding addiction and recovery, responding to inquiries about the process with the appropriate language can scaffold the best responses. Referring to addiction as a disease or, otherwise, an external force that affected an individual rather than an innate part of a person’s identity is instrumental in talking about the disease while distancing its connection to a person’s current identity. 

Avoiding words like “alcoholic,” “addict,” and other labels can be powerful and can scaffold such language for employers themselves. Additionally, ensuring that any questions regarding the use of addictive substances are referred to in the past tense, rather than recounting stories or answering questions in the present, can further create the distinction that such challenges are past and that the present person has changed and adopted a new lifestyle and skills.

While questions regarding recovery can occur, that doesn’t mean that an individual’s time in recovery does not hold value in a professional setting. Being able to discuss the recovery process in terms of how it aids in a professional environment can be a great way to mitigate any concerns about potential gaps in a person’s resume. Highlighting time-management skills, teamwork, and skills developed in recovery can all be great ways of using recovery to a person’s advantage throughout interviews. 

Even discussing new hobbies gained throughout the recovery process can help to humanize and individualize a person throughout their interviews, all while defining an individual by their present accomplishments, skills, and more.

While questions regarding an individual’s history with addictive substances can come up, that doesn’t mean that every question has to be answered with every detail of a person’s journey. Some of those continuing their recovery journey may not feel comfortable disclosing the intricacies of their journey with employers before trust is established or relationships are built. An individual never has to share more than they are ready to. Keeping answers short and focused can keep the conversation moving without providing unnecessary detail. 

If an individual ever feels uncomfortable or unnecessarily judged, scrutinized, or otherwise uncomfortable regarding the questions about their past use of drugs or alcohol, this can provide important information about the potential workplace atmosphere. While pursuing employment in sobriety can be difficult, a person should never accept a job that may actively hinder their recovery efforts. Some red flags to consider include actively detrimental workplace attitudes, toxic work cultures, work stress, or a lack of understanding regarding the continued challenges faced by those in recovery. 

Pursuing professional employment can be a major hurdle throughout recovery. Fortunately, we at Hawaii Island Recovery are committed to helping you understand and navigate the journey to employment in recovery. Our treatment programs in Hawaii are designed not just to address the use of drugs or alcohol, but also to instill the life skills, practices, mentalities, and perspectives needed to create a healthy and fulfilling sober life as an alumnus. Whether you are continuing to further your own personal goals or working toward new professional goals, the atmosphere, community, spiritual support, and more are always available with us. For more information on how we can help you navigate your professional life in sobriety, call us today at (866) 390-5070.