Entering the workforce after leaving treatment requires you to implement new lifestyle changes to maintain stability. Many individuals who enter addiction treatment know they will be returning to work after leaving, and this doesn’t come without its challenges.
You have successfully made it through addiction treatment, and you’ve learned to focus on living a healthy and sober life. Work breaks often present a challenge for people returning from a treatment program because these blocks of time that can be lonely, boring, or triggers for substance use.
If you or someone you love is in outpatient rehab or has left the treatment facility, you are now more-or-less returned to the day-to-day life that you once knew. Addiction treatment changes so many things in your life, including how to fill up empty blocks of time like work breaks.
It is essential when returning to work to maintain your commitment to sobriety and uphold acceptable job performance levels. Yes, there are going to be challenges that make it difficult to operate the way you used to, but if you continue to pursue your counseling, attend support group meetings, and take full advantage of the resources given to you in treatment, acceptable performance levels will be easier to handle when returning to work. Though you may struggle, your employer will be glad to see you making progress and sticking to your commitment.
If your workplace has a human resources department, they may have resources available to you to help you understand and uphold acceptable performance levels, which give you additional tools, so you don’t have to worry about regressing. Additionally, remember you have won the war against your addictive behavior, but the war on relapse may still exist. Make sure you make your workplace a prosperous area where you can thrive, continue to uphold your commitments, and prosper.
It is normal to feel anxious, stressed, or nervous about returning to work after the treatment. However, stress can be a trigger. You may come into contact with coworkers who ask you where you’ve been if you've spent time in inpatient treatment, which can be a difficult question to answer. Rather than allowing yourself to stress, make a plan to maintain your healthy habits when you return to work and how you're going to address questions about your time away.
You don't have to tell everyone what has happened, but maintaining clear communication with your employer can keep up your credibility and put an accountability structure in place. Additionally, utilizing aftercare treatment plans and remembering to uphold healthy habits in the workplace can make you more prepared when returning to work.
Once you have adequately prepared yourself to return to work, the next step is to consider what you can do during work breaks, especially if you frequently used on your breaks. You can do things that are productive and brain-boosting during these times or do a daily exercise that helps you in your recovery. A few things to consider doing during work breaks include exercising, creating a meal plan, planning the next week, going on a walk or getting outside, pampering yourself by painting your nails or massaging your feet, creating a to-do list for home, or connecting with coworkers over lunch.
You can also do more relaxing things to destress from work, such as listening to music, rehydrating, making shapes out of clouds, watching a funny video, or stretching. You might do something creative like sketch or write. Who knows, you might be inspired to write about your recovery journey and end up with a memoir.
Sometimes the best work breaks are when you can get introspective or simply sit and enjoy the few minutes off. For example, some individuals find audiobooks or meditation help to release stressful energy and decrease tension during work breaks. Others take the time to observe passersby, watch the cars drive by, or see how people interact on the street. It can be fun to watch how people react to one another when they’re just walking around the office or workplace and going about daily tasks.
There are many different things to do in a break to make you more productive. You will get a new perspective on breaks when you juggle brain-boosting activities mixed with relaxation techniques that will all help you continue a path to sobriety that you’re proud of. You can learn to make the most of your breaks and have fun.
NorthStar Transitions wants you to make the most of your life after treatment. You can do so with many different things each day to make the most of life. Work breaks can be a source of anxiety to newly-sober people if they struggle to know what to do during this downtime to keep their mind off substance use. When you leave treatment or are in an outpatient program, you want to make the most of your time to maintain sobriety. If you struggle to figure out how to handle your breaks or are scared to return to work, joining an alumni support group with NorthStar Transitions can help long after you go through treatment. The point of going through treatment is to be a new, better you once you leave. For more information on what to do during your work breaks, reach out to NorthStar Transitions today at (303) 558-6400.
