I’ve been under a lot of stress at work and have decided (90% sure) to take the rest of the year to focus on recovery and mental health. I’m very nervous about speaking to my work colleagues as I know they like to talk and may gossip about me due to me having just started one of the jobs (working with kids) and leaving much earlier then planned… I don’t want to offend anyone or have any conflict.
Did anyone else have this happen in early sobriety? (I’m 86 days) I’m finding it hard to balance everything and right now my sobriety and wellbeing are more important to me then work but I am scared and really anxious as I find it hard to know if I’m making the right decisions as I haven’t before in the past!!
Just wanting some advice/insight or shared experiences.
I think this is a good idea! When I decided to get help I ended up taking 5 months off work. Haha, thought it would just be a week or two, but ended up being way longer. It was the best decision I ever made, although it doesn’t really feel like a decision. It feels like what life dictated. I wouldn’t be sober today without having taken that time. I wish more people were able to put themselves first in this way. If you feel like your sobriety and mental health demand this then listen to those voices.
I took over a year off when I was struggling, but I was fired and then became homeless so I was in no position to work. It’s awesome that you even have that choice. You have to be selfish in early recovery so if you are able to take the time you should take it. I took advantage of every program offered to me and it worked. Now I have a chance to give back to my community.
I just had a major relapse and ended up quitting my job bc I came to realize it wasn’t making me happy and was making me want to drink. Plus going back to treatment I would need to take major time off work. Bottom line you have to do what’s good for you and don’t worry about all the other bullshit.
I took 2 months off of work and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I work for the government, with kids and was so ashamed. I decided it was time for me to face the truth. I was honest with my supervisor and she’s been wonderful and supportive.
I’ve been back at work for 3 weeks now and am so glad I took the time needed for me. I was anxious when going back to have to answer all the questions from my colleagues as to why I was off. They too have been supportive. I didn’t tell them why other than I needed time to focus on me. My sobriety and journey isn’t something I feel I need to share with everyone even if I’m proud of it.
Good luck with your choice and remember your job may not always be there, but you will be and you matter above all.
Thank you @Meggers. I’m so happy to hear your positive experience with this! I quit this morning after asking my higher power for advice all week and I feel 100000% better and managed to do it without burning any bridges so extra bonus there too
Hey @Englishd! I’m sorry to hear that your situation lead to homelessness, that would have been extremely hard and I admire anyone who can get through something like that - especially sober! Having time off means more time for meetings, therapy and to volunteer with people in need. Thanks for your input
Awesome that you’re going back to school @Mephistopheles! That’s my plan next year but I need a solid foundation in order to do so which is why putting my recovery first this year is so important. Thanks!
Amazing that you were able to be honest and that you were met with such support . That’s exactly what I said, that I was taking time to focus on me and my needs! Something that was hard for me to admit/do but I believe it’s for the best. Nothing works if I’m not sober and stress leads me down a dangerous path so minimising it however possible is the best option. Congratulations on your sobriety and for being back at work too
I’m glad you decided to do it! It’s very relieving when we do important things for ourselves, especially when it’s recovery related. The stress just melts away and we get to really figure out who we are and what we want. I mean, I’m still figuring that out, but at least I know I actually do love my job and I’m much more confident in my life and decisions. I definately hit a point where going back to work became more important than staying away and I was lucky enough that I got to decide when I was ready. Hope to see your posts in the future and follow how you are doing after this amazing decision!
I took a month, but I see, I need more time. I have my job but I have lot of thinking that this work had make my sik. Now I recovery at home and looking at a new job to. To depressing job
I admire the strength it took and takes to focus just on sobriety. I thought about taking time off but chickened out. I work for a casino so being around drinking and crazy folks made it difficult. To add to it I was trying to balance my new life separated not my choice, Kids, moving, meetings and well you all know life’s demands. I think if I took time for myself it would have been easier and I think someday I may still look into it just so I can breath. Keep me posted on how it goes.
Lol no need to be sorry. I was still in active addiction during most of my homelessness. For me there was no other way to get to where I’m at than the path I took, which involved some tough times. What’s important is that I refused to accept my lot in life so I made drastic changes to improve it and continue to work on it today
I think taking time off is a really good thing as long as you will still be able to support yourself. But it will help you emotionally and mentally to take a break. I have a friend who is considering the same thing due to depression and anxiety. She is struggling a lot but is caught between a rock and a hard place because of money. It’s so stressful to deal with depression and anxiety and still be able to function in a regular way. The way life works, a lot of times, you don’t get to take a break due to obligations. I hope you can find a way to make it work.
Hi @Brookiemonster618. That’s no good about your friend. It is really hard to take time off and support yourself all at once, especially with a mental illness. I’m very fortunate that I was able to get help from the government due because otherwise there is no way I could have taken this time. Hope your friend works everything out and thanks for your response
Thanks a million @Butch. It was hard to admit I needed to help myself but I’m glad I did, my anxiety has improved a lot since making the decision which is a good sign that it was the right one. Good on you for making sobriety work in such a tough situation! People never cease to amaze me with their strength and determination. Thanks again and wishing you all the best
I walked away from 2 businesses i owned throughout my drinking thinking that was the type of work i did that made me drink. It just funded my drinking and gambling. So i stopped working all together and my drinking stayed the same if not worse funny that hey. I am glad i wasn’t working at the time i decided i had a problem and needed help. The only place i felt safe was in aa and hanging around people that had same problem as me. I am now studying and looking to start a new business in a completely different field than what i have been in for the past 23 years. It gave me the time i needed to focus on me.
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