Most people may feel nervous about starting a new job. For those who have just completed rehab treatment, this new page in life can be even more anxiety-triggering. Thankfully, there are ways to prepare yourself. These include proactive workplace relapse prevention and self-care techniques to destress.
Celebrate a New Beginning
If you have landed a new job after treatment, that is certainly some feat worth celebrating. This shows that you can perform well in job interviews. Consider this new job as a brand-new beginning. For the first day, plan your outfit carefully and present a new you to your coworkers. Prepare some light conversations with your new employer and coworkers, but do not fret over them.
A new page in life can always bring a positive outlook. Lean on that kind of positivity because it is going to do well for your emotional health. Guard your mind against negative thinking patterns, either about the new job or workplace environment. It is time to look for the good vibes in this new place. Try to work on building your self-confidence in new tasks.
Maybe you feel energetic about going into a new job, you should still take breaks to rest during the first days or weeks. Many companies allow their new hires to slowly ease into the job. Use this phase to support your ongoing recovery. Do not seek to over-perform. When you feel tired or anxious, listen to your body and return to using the relaxation techniques you learned during treatment.
Practice Workplace Relapse Prevention Techniques
On a positive note, working can be conducive to your recovery because it engages your brain in constructive thinking and problem-solving. You find creative solutions at work and that can be extremely fulfilling. When preoccupied with work, you have a stronger sense of agency and are thus less vulnerable to the negative thoughts of self-doubt. Being able to hold a job after treatment can also reassure your family and friends that you are back to experiencing normalcy.
Even though this is a new job, you are bringing a package of indispensable skills learned in your treatment program. Make this job a new training ground for honing your recovery skills. It is only an extended phase of your recovery journey. Do not consider your recovery a goal that has been accomplished. The workplace can present more sources of stress than the treatment phase, including heavy workload, relationship conflicts, or dealing with unreasonable clients.
The key to relapse prevention is awareness. As you become more aware of potential stressors and triggers, you are more prepared to take precautions or to use coping techniques. For example, you should assess your emotional health throughout the day. If anxiety or depression emerges, maybe it is time to take a stroll in nature during lunch break. You should not commit to extra working hours, especially when those times conflict with your support group meetings.
The Importance of Self-care at Your Workplace
Self-care shows up when you do not over-pace yourself at work. Try not to over-commit to tasks. Be realistic about goals and learn how to say no. Maintain your workload boundaries so that you are not overwhelmed by increasing demands. Within your scope of work, learn to focus on the current task because concentration helps your cognitive recovery. Do not try to multitask, which may lead to negative mental health issues, such as stress and depression.
Make new friendships with your sober coworkers who live a balanced and healthy life. People talk about a lot other than work in workplaces. Maybe they can connect you with new hobbies or meaningful community service opportunities. Steer away from toxic personalities or people who seem to struggle with addiction issues. If your workplace has social events, find out what these occasions may present and be prepared.
Build a Strong Support Group
Evening times and weekends are the time you can dust off that stress and anxiety from work. Do not bring your work home. Make the home environment relaxing and comfortable without work-related stuff. You can even consider living in a sober home where you have extra accountability. There you will meet other recovering individuals who are going through a similar transition back to the real world. Sober living homes can be a halfway step between rehab and living on your own.
While working at your new job after treatment, you must keep attending group therapy or counseling. Plan your life around these activities as if your sobriety depends on them. Be transparent when sharing about work-related stress. Verbalizing these negative emotions can be liberating. Your regular support group meetings also give you an extra layer of accountability. With all these tools in your wheelhouse, you will make it through stressful situations at work.
Are you looking for a sober home where you have extra accountability after starting a new job? Do you want to connect with a strong recovery community where you will meet other recovering individuals who are going through a similar transition back to the real world? There aren’t many professional-supportive sober homes like Pacific Sands Recovery Center in Orange County, CA. We offer a family-style environment and make sure that our clients feel comfortable and confident during recovery. You can also benefit from personalized care and attention that is hard to achieve at larger facilities. Most importantly, our recovery specialists understand the importance of dual diagnosis treatment because addiction often has co-occurring mental health issues. Believing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, we offer the most customized plans that accommodate your needs. Our experienced staff help working professionals maintain a work-life-recovery balance. We are onsite 24/7 to offer you support. Call (949) 426-7962 today.
