Rebuilding Your Career after Rehab
How to Be Successful at Work After Rehab
Reentering the workforce after an absence due to an alcohol or drug addiction problem can present individuals in recovery with some challenges.
The most critical aspect of successfully returning to work after rehab is a realistic, well-designed, and sustainable plan to cope with the triggers that would have previously led the person to drinking or using.
After completing a rehab programme, every patient receives an individualised discharge plan that is designed to help them successfully navigate the challenges of going back to work.
A discharge plan – also known as a continuing care plan – is a “living” document, meaning that it is continuously subject to review and update to best reflect the individual’s changing needs.
For example, a continuing care plan identifies certain people as first-line-of support for various circumstances, but as time goes on, there may be other people better suited (due to proximity or availability) to assist in those capacities, and the continuing care plan should adapt to these resources so as to provide the maximum possible recovery support to the individual.
Discharge plans are designed through a collaborative effort by the patient, their family or close support network and the various medical professionals and therapists involved in their rehab treatment programme, who will advise about additional community resources that the patient should access after they complete treatment.
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Coping with Workplace Stress After Rehab
An effective continuing care plan will synthesize how, when, and where the individual will use various recovery skills and resources in order to maintain sobriety. This may include highly specific directives. An example might be:
“In the event that I feel frustrated at my new job, I will first use my cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills to identify unhelpful thinking patterns that are making this situation seem worse than it is. I will try utilizing my CBT skills for at least five minutes. If I still feel upset or overwhelmed, I will call my mom or my brother for support, because they are both usually available during the day by cell phone. If I still feel upset or even triggered to use, I will call my AA Sponsor.”
Family and friends, and even treatment team members, may have strong feelings about what they think the patient should do in a given situation, but if the individual does not agree to those ideas, it is important that a consensus is reached through collaborative, constructive, and positive dialogue.
How Can Castle Craig Help?
Who will I speak to when I call Castle Craig?
When you call you will reach our Help Centre team who will give you all the information you need to help you decide whether to choose treatment at Castle Craig. If you decide that you would like to have a free screening assessment you will be asked a series of questions to build up a picture of your medical and drug use history as well as any mental health issues you are facing. If you decide you want to proceed with treatment you will be put in touch with our admissions case managers who will guide you through the admissions process.
How long is the rehab programme?
Residential rehab treatment starts at 4 weeks and can go up to 12+ weeks. Research shows us that the longer you stay in rehab and are part of the residential therapy programme, the longer the likelihood of continued abstinence and stable recovery.
How do I pay for rehab?
One concern we sometimes hear from people is how they will fund their rehab treatment. You can pay for treatment at Castle Craig privately, or through medical insurance, and some people receive funding through the NHS. The cost of rehab varies depending on what kind of accommodation you choose.
What happens at the end of my treatment?
Castle Craig thoroughly prepares patients before departure by creating a personalised continuing care plan which is formulated following discussions with the medical and therapeutic team. We offer an online aftercare programme which runs for 24 weeks after leaving treatment, in order to ensure a smooth transition back into your everyday life. Patients leaving treatment automatically join our Recovery Club where they can stay connected via our annual reunion, events, online workshops and recovery newsletters.