Preparing to Rejoin the Workforce After Rehab in Hawaii

Graduating from a treatment program in Hawaii and reintroducing oneself to the “real world” is a massive step in one’s transformation. However, it is not without its unique hardships. It is essential to prepare for the transition from a curated recovery space to a world where one’s skills will be tested regularly. 

One of the most significant hurdles facing an individual during this transition is the prospect of rejoining the workforce. While it is an important step to take, it is also an incredibly delicate act to balance one’s newfound sober lifestyle with professional obligations.

Finding a job is always stressful, and the difficulties of finding employment that one enjoys and is conducive to one’s lifestyle off the clock isn’t a stress unique to those in recovery. However, there may be a few additional factors to consider for those navigating their newfound sober lifestyle.

First, one’s finances and budgeting skills may have been compromised by addiction if an individual had repurposed funds, causing one to get behind on rent and bills or struggling to purchase food and necessities while fueling one’s addiction. Getting a job after treatment conducive to one’s ongoing recovery is crucial for implementing new financial responsibilities and works as a testament to one’s dedication to change and progress.

Getting a job is difficult, but taking the first job that becomes available without considering how it may impact one’s emotional health can be detrimental to one’s continued sobriety. It is essential to do as much research as possible about new potential employers, including the benefits, work culture, opportunity to take breaks, and overall working conditions. 

The additional stress of the workplace can be challenging to cope with, and ensuring that one will have ample opportunities to employ their coping strategies to maintain a sober focus is crucial. No individual should feel they have to choose between their employment and sobriety. Taking a job that presents such a problem should be passed for one’s continued physical and mental well-being.

A work schedule can be challenging to balance, and one’s time will be split between their personal and professional lives. Discussing one’s schedule with employers or managers can be instrumental in reaching a fair understanding.

Keeping rigid times where one is on the clock, rather than surprise overtime, whenever possible, can add a needed sense of consistency to one’s job, allowing each person to pace themselves appropriately. This conversation can also help individuals balance their days and weeks around when they will be working, ensuring that their shifts do not conflict with ongoing outpatient programs or therapy sessions. However, creating these rigid schedules means that one will be held strictly accountable for any lateness, reaching a fair agreement while practicing management skills.

Applying for jobs, constructing a resume, and effectively presenting oneself in an interview are acquired skills that need practice and refinement. This means preparing for difficult, uncomfortable questions and addressing gaps in one’s resume that may have been created while undergoing treatment and pursuing sobriety.

Handling these questions will always be difficult, but being honest about what one was doing can create the best possible relationship with an employer. Lying about where one was out of shame or fear that one won’t get the job can backfire. Instead, such questions can open up further dialogue about expectations, schedules, and more between oneself and potential employers. However, this doesn’t mean that all of one’s time in an interview needs to be focused on these aspects of one’s life.

Acknowledging the truth and using it as a catalyst to present oneself by the current skills one possesses, the qualifications one has for the job, and otherwise refocusing the conversation on one’s current self, rather than past mistakes, can help start employment with understanding and support.

Work is stressful, and juggling the myriad of expectations and exhaustion that come with being an active member of the workforce takes its toll. Discussing one’s schedule with supports and ensuring that one has boundaries and access to self-care outlets is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

These outlets can take many forms. From continuing to practice art or music first explored during treatment or even just having a moment to decompress with a favorite video game after work, having access to these elements is essential. Likewise, keeping supports informed of one’s day on the job, any stresses therein, as well as one’s accomplishments can all help to create a rounded image of one’s time in a particular work environment, effectively gauging how one’s continued sobriety may benefit from, or be detracted from, a particular workplace. 

Rejoining the workforce after rehab in Hawaii can be a stressful, anxiety-inducing experience, and it can take time to prepare for the unique trials and stresses therein. At Hawaii Island Recovery, we understand the difficulty of rejoining the workforce. We are ready to help you prepare yourself for a healthy, sober life and help you balance your work and personal boundaries. We champion our personalized approach to each individual and are prepared to help you through each step of your recovery. From detox to residential living and aftercare planning, your time with us can be focused on your unique needs and goals, all backed by comprehensive, proven therapeutic techniques and our comfortable substance abuse and mental health facilities. For more information on how we personalize your time with us throughout any stage of recovery or to speak to a caring, trained staff member about your unique circumstance, call Hawaii Island Recovery today at (866) 390-5070.