Employment brings many benefits beyond just a paycheck. Along with providing a way to pay bills, a job can also boost your confidence in your abilities, provide a way to connect with others, and give you a sense of purpose. When you’re going through recovery, finding employment can help you work toward your goals so that you can live the life you want.
If you’re trying to find employment while you’re going through recovery, or you want a new job that aligns with your goals, there’s plenty of insight to keep in mind. There are also plenty of available resources that can help.
At Groups, we know that recovery is about more than staying sober — it’s about building a life you’re proud of. For many members, that includes finding a meaningful job. Whether you’re reentering the workforce or exploring new opportunities, we’re here to help.
We’re here to guide you through your employment goals and provide you with resources that are worth considering.
What to keep in mind when setting employment goals in recovery
Being in recovery for opioid use disorder involves creating short-term and long-term goals. These goals can be different for everyone, but employment goals are common. Finding a job helps you gain financial stability as well as create a routine that doesn’t involve using opioids for a sustainable recovery journey. But it’s important to remember that a job isn’t a guarantee for abstinence.
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Consider training or educational courses
It’s possible that the type of job you’re hoping to get will require certain skills that you don’t currently have, and that’s OK. Look around for training opportunities or educational courses that can help you gain the knowledge and abilities to earn and keep a job in the field you’re hoping to succeed in. There are courses that can help with anything from manual labor to technology skills.
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Turn to your support system
Even though your recovery journey is a highly personal experience, the right people can help you along the way, and that includes your job search. When you’re setting employment goals, talk to your family, friends, and peers about possible opportunities. They may be able to help get your foot in the door for a job with a referral or make you aware of possible options.
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Don’t ignore possible triggers
Not every job will be the right fit for your recovery goals. Many jobs can cause potential stress, but it’s important to see when a job opportunity can interfere with your progress due to excessive mental, emotional, or physical distress that may lead to cravings. You should also avoid workplaces that can trigger cravings, such as having pressure from co-workers or being around substances.
Employment resources that can help you reach your goals
There are many different resources available to people in recovery for members in recovery who want to find a job nearby. By knowing your options, you can cover all of your bases and give yourself the best chance of finding a job that will work for you.
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CareerOneStop
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration sponsors CareerOneStop. It’s an online resource that helps people of all ages, experience, and circumstances to find employment. It can be used for local job searches as well as nationwide job searches. It provides information to help you in several ways, including:
- Career options and assessments
- Training and education opportunities and scholarships
- Resume and interview preparation
- Specialized employment programs
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Job fairs
Job fairs give you the chance to explore dozens of potential job opportunities and employers in one place. JobFairX is a company that holds hundreds of virtual job fairs across 400 U.S. cities. They’ve connected with more than 4,000 employers to help over 5 million job seekers. You can look for a virtual job fair in your area. The fairs are often categorized for people with different interests, such as health care, and experience levels, like entry-level.
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Job boards
The first place that people are likely to turn to when searching for a job is the internet. There are many online job boards that you can explore for possible openings. They are constantly updated, and you can use filters to find options that work best for you, such as time requirements and skill level. Here are a few of the most common online job boards:
- Indeed
- Monster
- Snagajob
- ZipRecruiter
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Life goal assistance at Groups
One of the ways that we help people recover from opioid use disorder is to provide them with the insight and guidance they need to achieve what they want in life, including employment goals. Our life-goal assistance is provided to all members to help them access the resources that can play a role in the future they want, such as connecting with potential job opportunities.
Groups can help members in recovery in other ways, too
Custom life-goal assistance is just one part of our treatment for members in recovery from OUD. We also provide fast access to Suboxone to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings as well as weekly group support meetings.
Ready to take the next step toward your goals? Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery. We’re here to help you find your path, not just to recovery, but to the life you want.
We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
