Addiction takes a lot of mental energy. Between the difficulties of hunting for a fix to the strain of keeping bad habits a secret from loved ones, addiction requires a dangerous level of stamina.
The good news is that addicts can release themselves from this burden by seeking help. But even if a person is able to recover and sustain their sobriety, their disease will always be on their minds, every day for the rest of their lives. This is the sad reality of drug and alcohol dependency.
Fortunately, now that they’ve given up their addiction, people in recovery can expend that once wasted energy on something useful — like their job.
In the days and weeks following the completion of a rehabilitation program, achieving normalcy amid all this stress can feel daunting, especially when it’s time to go back to work. More often than not, a person’s job performance is impacted by his or her addiction, and these negative behaviors can even potentially jeopardize a person’s career. Professional reputations and relationships are often damaged on an addict’s way to rock bottom; mistakes are made, rumors spread and many are lucky to even keep their jobs. And because a career is often also stressful — and stress can often lead to relapse — returning to the workforce becomes even less appealing.
[See: 14 Ways Alcohol Affects the Aging Process.]
But although it may not seem like it on the surface, work can frequently serve as a replacement for addiction.
For one, a job is a distraction. Work keeps people busy, and staying busy is the best way to take someone’s mind off their habit. In the workplace, people are given the opportunity to push aside negative internalizations — “Am I going to drink? What will happen if I do?” — and instead focus on getting their job done. Not only does that provide a 40-hour-a-week reprieve, but it also provides a salary.
The workplace also supplies a structured environment, not so dissimilar from that established for recovering addicts in rehabilitation programs. In rehab, patients are given schedules that are set in stone. There are group sessions in the morning and doctor appointments in the afternoon, and meals are served at fixed times every day. This regimen is put in place to keep addicts focused on their recovery instead of on distractions. Outside of a medical program, it may be hard to find that strict of a structure, but steady employment is a good substitute.
Additionally, when someone has the responsibility of a job, they’re expected to be at a specific location at a specific time five days a week. They set appointments, meetings and deadlines. Most importantly, there are consequences if these tasks are not completed, and there are people depending on them to get the job done.
[See: How to Find the Best Mental Health Professional for You.]
Work can also provide a rare substance-free sanctuary. For the vast majority of people, the workplace is actually one of the few dependable sober environments they have access to. Of course, there are people who have alcohol-friendly occupations, particularly those employed in hospitality or food service (as well as those capitalizing on the new trend of millennial-friendly workplaces that promise employees “beer fridges, kegs and company-wide happy hours”). If that’s the case, it may be time to consider a career change. If not, an addict can be confident that he or she can pass the hours without temptation.
And in the workplace, there is always someone around to keep an eye on a recovering addict. While many would prefer anonymity at the office, they should weigh the idea of being honest; sharing their progress with their boss, their HR representative or a few trusted colleagues can be very helpful in a number of ways. In the early months of post-addiction, it’s vital to be surrounded by people who can keep an eye out for any warning signs and speak up if an addict appears to fall off the wagon. A few dependable co-workers can operate as an added line of defense in sobriety. They can also check in after a particularly stressful day, and they’ll be careful not to extend happy hour invitations or ask why someone isn’t drinking at the Christmas party — and they won’t try to peer pressure that person into partaking in the libations.
[See: 7 Health Risks of Binge Drinking You Can’t Ignore.]
And who knows? Maybe these co-workers have been through addiction themselves, or have experienced it first-hand with their loved ones. In recovery, the more support a person has, the better their chances, and connecting with fellow employees with shared experiences can be beneficial for everyone involved.
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Staying Busy: Work as a Replacement for Addiction originally appeared on usnews.com
