Getting Hired After Rehab: Overcoming Challenges and Following Steps for Success

Does facing a job interview after rehab seem like a dreadful prospect? Maybe you don’t know how you’ll sell yourself, given your background, or perhaps you have just never relished the feeling of being scrutinized by someone who has your future in their hands?

You are not alone in either of these sentiments. But jumping back into the job market after rehab is the perfect opportunity to strengthen your newly established routine of sobriety. While you should be aware of the difficulties you may have in your job search, take heart in the fact that your resilience thus far recommends you to the workforce.

Dove Recovery presents the challenges many people recovering from substance abuse face when trying to get a job, a 5-step process you can follow to help ensure your own success, and some guidance that may ease your misgivings about the process.

Table of Contents

• Can You Get a Job After Rehab?
• The Challenges of Securing a Job After Rehab
• How To Find a Job After Rehab: A 5-Step Guide
• Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Job After Rehab
• Let Dove Recovery Ease Your Transition Back Into the Workplace

Yes! Many organizations are supportive of and willing to hire employees in recovery. But respect your limits by acknowledging when a job isn’t right for you, and realize you may have to adjust your expectations. For example, proving your capabilities at entry level may be necessary before promotion is possible.

Dove Recovery understands that steady employment is an important element in a healthy routine of sobriety, and we are committed to helping you stay on track even after rehab. Contact us today to learn more about how we support recovering individuals in their job search.

Getting a job following rehab might be difficult and intimidating. Some common hurdles people in recovery face are:  

• Feeling incapable of handling the responsibility of a full-time job: If you are at an early stage of your recovery, it may be that you really aren’t ready. But if you have a stable routine, are sleeping well, and can handle the stress of job applications, you can begin looking for employment. Start with a part-time job to ease into shouldering more responsibilities.  
• Hesitating to disclose your past substance abuse to a potential employer for fear of discrimination: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers are not allowed to discriminate against potential employees on the basis of treatment for past substance abuse.
• Not knowing where to look (who will hire someone just out of rehab?): There are plenty of opportunities in industries such as skilled trades, landscaping, transportation services, and retail/manufacturing. You can consult American Job Centers or vocational rehabilitation services in your state for help finding jobs to apply for.
• Wondering how to explain the employment gap if you quit working for rehab: You are not required to go into detail about the reasons for your employment hiatus. Stating simply and calmly that you had to take off work for a personal health matter is sufficient.

Once you’ve determined that you’re ready to seek employment, follow these five steps to increase your chances of finding and keeping your top-choice job.

#1: Update Your Resume

Updating your resume periodically is essential to keeping it relevant to your current circumstances. As you peruse it, you’ll be able to identify weaker areas that you need to work on to have a stronger chance of being hired. 

Items on a resume that often need to be modified include:

• Contact information
• Skills
• Professional experiences
• Summary of your qualifications
• Type of work you are seeking

We recommend getting another set of eyes to look over your resume. Ask a family member, friend, or someone in your support group for assistance.

#2: Decide What Types of Jobs You Want To Apply for

This is where you’ll examine your goals, skills, and needs. Be honest about what you can reliably promise your employer and what you need/want in a job. 

For example, a job that’s too high stress could contribute to a relapse, so you might need one that’s less stressful. Or, maybe you’ve found that physical activity really helps you lessen cravings, in which case a desk job might be detrimental to your recovery.

Consider the following as you brainstorm where your work commitment will have the most positive effect for you and the workplace:

• What did I like/dislike about previous jobs?
• What skills do I have that are useful to my desired career?
• Where do I want to be in 5–10 years? What can I do to work toward that goal?

#3: Read Job Listings Carefully 

Rule out any positions that will not be a good fit. Job descriptions are meant to give you a real sense of what the job is like, such as:

• The conditions you’ll be working under
• The physical demands of the job
• The stressors you’ll encounter regularly, such as loud noises, heat, or deadlines

You want to be sure that these elements are suitable for you and that you can fulfill the job expectations. 

Some other things you might prioritize in a job are a good degree of structure (i.e., a steady schedule and well-defined roles) and room for growth/promotion.

#4: Reach Out to Supportive Organizations

The following organizations help individuals in addiction recovery secure a job:

• The Administration for Children and Families: Identifies available jobs and career service opportunities.
• Recovery-Ready Workplace in your state: Finds employers open to hiring recovering employees.
• The Department of Labor’s One Stop Career Center: Offers free training and career counseling.
• Recovery program or sober living community: Provides tools like interview coaching and resume assistance.
• Local temp agency: Interviews you and assigns you to a role you’d be well suited for.
• The Salvation Army: Offers job training and job placement assistance.

These are just a few of the many organizations available to assist you in your job search.

#5: Stay Committed to Your Recovery in the Workplace

Getting hired may seem like the biggest hurdle, but the real work starts when you clock in. To make this a successful venture, you must focus your energy on performing your duties with excellence and a positive, professional attitude. 

The best way to become a good asset to your workplace is to keep your sobriety as your foremost priority and stay alert to opportunities to contribute to the work environment. 

A sober individual is more likely to show dedication by:

• Demonstrating a willingness to help others
• Being present at company events
• Keeping a professional demeanor
• Being open to developing and improving work relationships

Why Would an Employer Hire Someone Just Out of Rehab?

Individuals who are successfully recovering from addiction often have certain qualities that are desirable in the workplace, such as:

• Emotional strength and resilience
• Self-discipline
• Workplace loyalty

These characteristics are a boon to an employer seeking employees who can be trusted to be productive even in the midst of challenges. An employer may also be motivated by:

• An ethical obligation to support individuals struggling to rebuild their lives
• A desire to improve the company’s reputation as a “second-chance” institution
• A hope of attracting more diverse talent

Do I Have To Reveal My Past Substance Abuse to Potential Employers?

In most cases, you aren’t legally required to disclose this information unless it affects your job performance. 

If an employer questions you about why you weren’t employed for a period of time, it’s acceptable to answer vaguely with an allusion to a personal health concern. 

If they directly ask whether you were struggling with substance abuse, you shouldn’t lie, but you can file a complaint so that you can be protected legally from discrimination.

Employers aren’t allowed to discriminate based on past substance use, but they can take action against employees currently involved in substance use.

How Can a Steady Job Support My Recovery?

It may sometimes seem that a job is a necessary evil; we all look forward to our days off to rest and relax. But we also know the truth of the maxim: “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” A job is not just something that keeps you busy, though. It can be a positive influence in your life by providing a:

• Sense of meaning/purpose as you see the impact of your commitments
• Community that you play an important role in
• Monetary return for the investment of your time and labor
• Schedule and environment that require you to look presentable, act appropriately, and be alert and productive.

These benefits reinforce the stability that can protect you from relapse.

Dove Recovery serves communities in Cleveland and Columbus, OH, to help individuals who desire freedom from addiction and long-lasting change. Getting a job after rehab is one of the first major challenges in rebuilding your life, and we want to help you do it. Choose from one of our recovery programs:

• Outpatient
• Intensive outpatient
• Partial hospitalization
• Detox
• Counseling and therapy

We tailor our services to your unique needs, so you can expect personalized, compassionate care from our professional team. Call us today to officially kickstart your recovery.

The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options.