Now that you’ve achieved sobriety, you might be looking for a new start in the workplace. Whether you’re easing yourself back into the workforce or seeking a change, the following tips can help you land the job you want.
After that, we’ll frankly discuss some lingering habits that might make your work life harder. But don’t worry—we’ve got tips on how to conquer them!
Getting Back on the Horse
You’ve probably heard the old saying about “getting back on the horse.” It’s a whimsical way of saying, “Don’t stay down; get back up and keep going.” If employment is the horse you’ve fallen off of, getting back on could seem intimidating. Fortunately, there are tons of tools to help you.
For example, it may have been a while since you wrote a resume or cover letter. Thanks to the magic of artificial intelligence (AI), you can use an online cover letter generator to put together the basic building blocks you’ll need. What is more, online resume builders walk you through, step by step, prompting you for the information you’ll need.
Applying for jobs may be the next hurdle. Here, it’s important to gain some perspective so you don’t become discouraged. If you apply and don’t get a call back, it’s not a reflection on you; it is normal in the current job market. Many experts recommend applying to about a dozen openings per week until you start getting interviews. Then, it may take about a dozen interviews before you get hired.
If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, you may find that you need to brush up on some of your skills to get the job you want. You won’t necessarily have to go back to school to do this. Many skills can be learned through online certifications or short-term in-person training courses. Don’t forget to add these certifications to your resume as proof of your skills!
Finally, work on building your professional network. Create a LinkedIn profile if you have not already done so. In posts and in person, don’t be afraid to briefly share encouraging thoughts from your sobriety journey. You might be surprised at how others are willing to support you and help you succeed.
Key takeaways:
- Use online tools to help with job application documents
- Apply for jobs regularly until you start getting interviews
- Upskill by obtaining certifications
- Lean into your professional network
Avoiding Old Habits
There’s no denying that alcoholism can interfere with your career. Perhaps in the past, hangovers led to missed deadlines and absenteeism, or memory lapses impacted your overall job performance.
Even after achieving sobriety, certain ingrained habits from years of alcoholism can linger and subtly affect your career. For example, if you grew accustomed to procrastinating, then rushing through tasks to make more time for drinking, you might still struggle with time management.
Old coping mechanisms, like avoiding difficult conversations or cutting corners to reduce stress, can carry over into a sober work life and limit your professional growth. Similarly, you might have a lingering tendency to isolate yourself from coworkers, either out of habit or because you’re used to keeping some parts of your life private, which can hinder networking and collaboration.
Another common residual effect is difficulty rebuilding self-confidence and professional credibility. Even if your skills are strong, past patterns of second-guessing yourself, overcompensating, or assuming others doubt your reliability may cause hesitation in taking on leadership roles or ambitious projects. You might also carry forward perfectionism or people-pleasing tendencies that once helped mask the effects of drinking but now create unnecessary stress. While sobriety removes the substance, breaking these entrenched habits often requires intentional effort, workplace support, and ongoing self-awareness.
In short, to combat these habits, you should:
- Conscientiously build good organization and time management skills
- Make an effort to network in the office, at industry events, and on LinkedIn
- Ask for feedback on the quality of your work to more accurately assess yourself
- Upskill wherever necessary through training or certification
Workplace Success on the Road to Recovery
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), recovery from substance abuse means more than just giving up drinking: “It involves accumulating positive benefits obtained by developing or rebuilding a healthy, productive, and meaningful life.”
Your career can be one of the most rewarding parts of your journey to recovery. Every step you take toward building strong habits, improving your skills, and connecting with others not only strengthens your future; it reinforces your personal growth.
Remember, the same resilience that helped you achieve sobriety can also carry you through any workplace challenges you encounter. You can choose to make your job a platform for continued recovery and self-confidence. Celebrate the little wins and view each day as a chance to prove you’re capable, adaptable, and worthy of success.
Contributor: Cara Siera
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