Assimilation into the work world can be the most difficult step for patients recovering from addiction. The social stigma of addiction can brand recovering patients, and for some of us, gaps in our work history that lead to uncomfortable questions. Furthermore, addiction strikes at our confidence and self-worth, and makes us doubt that we can be of any good to those around us. Without the drug, we feel crippled and incomplete. However, positive patterns can be established in the professional world that remind us of our own strengths and capabilities.
It’s important to remember that although you struggle with addiction, you’re still an important contributor to the work force. In fact, addiction and recovery can even give you strengths and assets that others don’t have.
Our Recovery Program Teaches Valuable Workplace Skills
There are certain principles that are valuable in any workplace, and we foster these in our patients. These include:
- communication
- teamwork
- problem-solving
- goal-setting
- self-motivation
- discipline and hard work
Here, Patients Also Learn Practical Life-Skills
We strive to give our patients practical skills that will assist them as they enter the workplace post-recovery. Some of this comes through daily routines at the facility, others from special programs. Most of all, it comes when our patients take initiative and seize all of the opportunities given to them for personal growth and development during their recovery period.
- house chores
- financial planning
- technology literacy
- written language skills
- team leadership and project management
- health and nutrition management
- We Offer Assistance in Job Placement
Because we’re so passionate about effective aftercare, we go above and beyond for our patients, helping them find advantageous work after they’ve completed the program. We’ve been able to facilitate job placement for many of our patients in the past, and we partner with programs like the CalWorks Get Hired program in order to provide as many opportunities as possible for our patients.
We believe that work provides an anchor in our recovering patients’ lives, and that it can build self-worth and purpose that encourages patients to continue in their recovery. After all, part of addiction recovery is avoiding future substance use, but even more important than that is building connections and a sober lifestyle more precious than addiction.