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Congratulations, you did it! You finished rehab. That is a huge step on your recovery journey. As amazing as it is, there is still a lot of work to continue as you adjust to living outside the walls of a treatment center.
Recovery does not mean you’re cured, so ensuring that you focus on your sobriety while getting back into everyday routines like work is crucial. You are not alone in this either. According to a survey from the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 70% of all adults with substance use disorder (SUD) are employed, and roughly 9% of employed adults are in recovery from said problem.
We spend a large portion of our days at work, so it makes sense that these are places that may lead to stress, trauma, or cravings. At the same time, the workplace can also provide unmatched support, benefits, and care for those in recovery. Being proactive about your sobriety, ongoing therapy, and even reducing the stigma surrounding addiction can help you readjust to work after rehab. Even the best workplaces may struggle to accommodate your needs, so it is up to you to be your advocate.
It is essential to take a self-inventory to prepare to leave rehab and head back into the workforce. Assess your self-esteem level. Are you feeling confident in your ability to remain sober while incorporating the stress and responsibility of work back into your life? How is your mental health? You must have a plan for continued care before starting back. Will you continue to go to therapy and peer support meetings? How will you handle the possibility of burnout?
You cannot prepare for everything but practicing your coping skills, knowing when to reach out for external support, and feeling stable are important to your health. Before getting back into the hustle and bustle of work, ensure you feel secure in other aspects of your life. You should have a dedicated safe space to live. You should have support from counselors, friends, family, or a sober support group. These are aspects of your life that you were introduced to during rehab but now need to apply to your life.
Remember that not everyone in the office may know or understand your situation. Your expectations will likely differ from those of your coworkers. While nothing has changed for them in your absence, you have changed a lot. Try to acknowledge and accept that you are rejoining a culture and atmosphere from when you were using.
With the realization that the office is the same as it always was, but you are not, you can start to adjust. Take your time getting back into the swing of things. Don’t expect yourself to fall back into your old routine. That routine played a role in your addiction. You’ve now learned coping skills, so take account of those before you fall into old habits.
You don’t want to overwhelm yourself too quickly. Ask your boss if you can come back part-time at first or partially work from home if that feels like it will help you ease back in. As you progress in your recovery, you can take on more work and responsibility. There is no shame in taking your time. You would rather over-deliver than over-promise.
In addition to actions you can take at work, be sure to continue practicing mindfulness, self-care, and other tools you learned during treatment:
Even with all the practice and support in the world, sadly, there is still a decent amount of stigma regarding those in recovery from addiction. It is up to you as to what you share with your employer and coworkers.
Not everyone feels comfortable opening up about their recovery. If you’re unsure about what you’d like to do, it can be helpful to discuss this topic with your therapist, sponsor, or other members of a recovery support group. You can hear what others have experienced and decide what feels right for you.
If you wish to share your story with your workplace, it can help to provide educational sources or offer up a discussion to those who want to learn more and support you. If not, you can offer as much information as you’d like and let everyone know what you are willing to share and what you don’t wish to discuss further.
You can also just share with your employer and let them know you’d like this to remain confidential. This way, they can accommodate your needs without causing backlash or judgment.
Returning to work after rehab can be intimidating. You may quickly be overwhelmed with the world you left to seek treatment. It hasn’t changed, but you have. Adjusting to the routine you had before getting sober can be triggering. It is vital that you take care to make your sobriety your priority and take your time getting back into work to ensure you stay in recovery. Whether you choose to open up about your recovery at work or not, California Care Detox & Treatment offers guidance for all clients in this situation. We are here for alumni and current clients. If you need help speaking to your employer or managing the stress of this adjustment, we can help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for further guidance, even after rehab. Call us at (949) 281-0632 with any questions. You are just a call away from help.
