Working in any career while having a substance use disorder can be challenging. It can be even more difficult if you are in the medical field. According to a recent study, approximately 8.5% of employed people in the United States are recovering from a substance use disorder. In June 2024, California had 18,346,200 employed people. This means approximately 1,560,277 employed Californians are recovering from a substance use disorder. Many of them are in the medical field and have pondered the question, “How can I return to medical practice after addiction recovery?”
At Pacific Sands, we aim to help you reach the point where you are ready to return to your career. We provide you with the resources and tools to make that transition easier. Today, we will highlight the steps that will empower you to feel secure in the return to your career.
Returning to Work After Addiction Treatment
When walking into that first day back to work after undergoing treatment for a substance use disorder, you are probably experiencing several emotions. Perhaps you feel fear that your peers will judge you for having a substance use disorder in the first place. You wonder how you are going to be able to manage your recovery while working 12 to 16 hours a day and all the stress that comes with that.
Many physicians have similar experiences. According to a study, 10% to 12% of doctors will develop a substance use disorder. In 2020, California had 123,941 licensed and practicing physicians. This means that between 12,394 and 14,872 doctors in the state of California had a substance use disorder. You are not the first one to go through this experience. Thousands of doctors have also had the experience of having to return to work after undergoing treatment for a substance use disorder.
How to Balance Medical Work with Aftercare
Working in the medical field comes with many challenges. Medical professionals often put aside their own lives in exchange for their patients. Many work 12 to 16 hours daily and may study the latest medical advancements outside their working hours, leaving little room for self-care.
However, medical professionals are humans, just like their patients. They can experience the same emotions, such as anger, guilt, sadness, and frustration, as the people they work with daily. This also means that they can turn to substances to cope with those emotions. Still, recovery is possible for medical professionals, just like their patients.
Returning to that busy and often stressful environment after seeking recovery can pose challenges. You might wonder what can help you balance your medical work with your ongoing recovery.
Establishing work and home boundaries is essential to ensuring you have time to maintain your aftercare responsibilities. Connecting with other physicians who have gone through similar experiences as yourself can also allow you to learn what has worked for them. While it can be challenging to step away from work, making time to attend your aftercare and ongoing treatment appointments can ensure your success in recovery.
How Can You Communicate With Your Employers or Physician Networks About Your Recovery?
While you don’t necessarily have to give specific information to your employers or physician networks, keeping them in the loop is still a good idea. Clear communication with these people can help you reintegrate into the workplace and maintain your hours to participate in your ongoing treatment.
Connecting with a physician monitoring program makes this communication easier. If you have concerns about what you should say to your employers or physician networks, bring it up with your therapist. They will give you guidelines or ideas on how to approach the topic.
Physician Monitoring Programs – What Is the California Recovery Program?
The California Recovery Program is a state-run program connected to eight healthcare professional licensing boards. They aim to help you return to a safe, professional practice. They provide resources and case workers who will follow your recovery journey and provide you with support and guidance on returning to your medical practice, which complies with the Medical Board. They are not a treatment program, allowing you to attend a program of your choice to meet the goals they set for you.
These state-run programs have helped prevent physicians from returning to use, allowing them successful medical careers. A recent study found that 89% of the participants did not return to use after participating in these programs, with ongoing community support being one of the most valuable components.
There are some additional state-run monitoring programs other than the California Recovery Program. These programs are more specialized in the medical field. For example, the Intervention Program is specifically for registered nurses (RNs) who have substance use or mental health disorders, while the Pharmacist Recovery Program is for pharmacists. These programs are meant to be resources that will guide you through returning to your career.
Other Resources for Medical Professionals in Recovery from Substance Use
Reaching the point where you are ready to return to your medical practice can take some time and support. If you have been instructed by the Board to receive treatment for a substance use disorder or if you are deciding to find recovery on your own, treatment at a rehab for substance use disorders is your first step.
Having support that you can lean on is also essential to ensuring your success in recovery, and being around fellow medical professionals can allow you to feel like you are not alone in your experiences. Attending a 12-step group is one way to connect with fellow medical professionals, but is not the only way.
Below are two organizations targeted to medical professionals to help them find support in their recovery journey.
- International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous (IDAA) – This group is specifically for doctors across the United States and internationally. They hold conferences in multiple locations and virtually to help doctors in the United States and Canada find fellowship in their recovery journeys. Based on the teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous, these conferences are great for connecting healthcare providers to facilitate healing and connection.
- Nurse Support Group – A California-based support group for nurses who have had a substance use disorder. This support group allows nurses to come together, share their experiences, and offer hope to others in similar situations. This support group helps many nurses in California have the support system they need to return to work while in recovery.
Staying Sober In The Workplace: How Can You Maintain Your Recovery?
Aside from work stress, some other aspects can make maintaining your recovery more challenging as a medical professional. Here are some tips on how you can keep yourself safe and on the path to recovery once you have returned to the workplace:
Get support: It can be easier to be around people who understand your situation and support your journey to recovery. Find someone you trust who can keep you accountable and provide the emotional support necessary to maintain your journey.
Identify your triggers: When you return to work, you will be exposed to many potential triggers that you were not exposed to during an inpatient treatment program. During treatment, your therapist can help you identify what those might be. Knowing what they are can give you a better understanding of what to be aware of to prevent a return to use.
Take time off: As a medical professional, you might have only considered throwing yourself into your work, which can lead to intense stress and burnout. A recent study showed an association between increased alcohol consumption, risky behaviors, and burnout among physicians. Taking time off is a good way to help manage your stress and avoid this trigger.
Create a crisis plan: When we encounter triggers and stress, it’s easy to turn to old habits if we don’t have a plan on what to do instead. Often, your therapist will help you develop a plan during treatment, but you can also create one yourself. In the medical field, it is unlikely that you will avoid every potential trigger you have. Having a plan for when these triggers come can allow you to know what you need to do to prevent a return to use from occurring.
Maintain your treatment and aftercare plans: You must stay on top of your aftercare and continuing treatment plans. These will help solidify the skills you initially learned in treatment and make it easier to reach a point where the path becomes more manageable.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Is Available for Medical Professionals at Pacific Sands
Suppose you have a substance use disorder as a medical professional. Fears such as feeling like you can never provide appropriate patient care are common. Maybe you are facing distrust both from yourself and others. The reality is you don’t have to do it on your own. By seeking substance use disorder treatment, you will work with professionals who can guide you through this process to a healthier life.
At Pacific Sands, we are here to help you. Our high-end facility has a maximum of 6 clients, which ensures that your recovery is the primary focus of your time with us. We will help you explore the tools and solutions that will work for you and get you back on track with the career that you love.
Our clinical director at Pacific Sands is on-site 50 hours a week, working with everyone to ensure that they can find a successful recovery. To learn more or start your recovery journey today, call us at 949-426-7962.
Pacific Sands – The first step towards a new life.
