I am 65 days sober and have held the same stressful corporate job for the last 9 years. I wanted to leave long before I got sober. I was just offered a great job at a nonprofit which should be less stressful (except the normal stresses that come from change). Wondering if anyone has any experience or opinions on if it is a good idea to change jobs in early sobriety.
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I told someone else earlier about dating in earlier in recovery. That most addiction counselors will tell u not to make any life changing events within your first year sober. But if this job is what made you drink and was a trigger I say go for it. I quit my job as a sous chef at a casino 3 weeks into my sobriety so last week and it was the best thing I could have done. You can imagine all the triggers there lol I say if it made you unhappy then leave 
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@Christina, wow this really hits home for me. I’ve been doing a high level corporate job for many years and I signed up for this is what the bigwigs would say. I was recruited from Arizona out to North Carolina in mid 2012. I signed a 2 year contract being that I received a relocation package and a sign on bonus ect. I knew after about 3 months that I had made a huge mistake. I had no choice but to work out my contract and ended up staying over 2 more years after that. Needless to say my drinking became worse and worse as time went by working for these people. I basically drowned my work misery with the bottle. My wife knew I was going to resign eventually, but the plan was to hold off until this March when I’d be getting a sizable bonus. Going into the holidays was the last straw for me. I was drinking heavily every night and dealing with high stress at work hungover ever day. I basically lost it and walked off the job on November 1st. I’d never quit a job in my life… at least not like that anyway. I didn’t have the strength to put down the bottle until 22 days ago, but now I’ve turned a new chapter in my life. The combination of a horrible job and a horrible addiction had nearly ruined my life. Was the bonus worth it…? Nope. Was the salary worth it…? Nope. Is my life, happiness, and family worth it…? Hell yes!
So my advice is to go for it. You’re way ahead of me in your sobriety and you can handle a job change especially if you’ve done your research and know you’ll be happier! I’ve come to believe no amount of money is worth being unhappy. I’m still searching for my new career path and I’ve never been happier. You have an opportunity already lined up. Sounds pretty awesome to me! Good luck in whichever path you choose!
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Thanks, I needed to hear that and it sounds like we’ve both traveled the same path. I don’t want to blame the job for my addiction getting out of control but it was a huge trigger. Working 12 hours some days and then downing a bottle of wine and passing out. Repeat. I became a mess. My family life has suffered so much. Sadly I think many of my coworkers are suffering the same, if not with booze, definitely with stress. The money is definitely not worth it! I think I’m gonna go for it. It’s crazy that being in rehab for 21 days was a welcome break from the stress. That’s really telling and my gut is pushing me to take the leap now before I get too pulled back into it.
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Thanks! Your story gives me hope. This job is in no way conducive to my sobriety. I’m really thinking I’m gonna take the leap!
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@Christina, it’s ironic you say that about the time away for rehab. I broke my ankle a couple years ago and was out for a little over 3 months. Even though I was in great pain for the first 2 months or so and using the entire time I couldn’t have been happier to be away from my employer… I can’t believe I stayed as long as I did.