Hi everyone! This is my first post so I hope I’m doing this right. My name is Kelly and I’m an addict. Been clean from heroin, pills & meth for a little over a year and a half. I have had the benefit of not having to work during this time but it’s definately time for me to step up and help my Mom out whom I have been living with since I got out of rehab.
I am a Registered Nurse but I lost my license due to my drug addiction. I am working on getting that back but it’s going to be a fairly involved process since I have a felony (expunged) and it’s been almost 10 years since my I surrendered my license so I will have to do some courses to refresh myself.
Anyway, here’s my tl;dr, I literally haven’t worked for about 10 years unless drug dealer counts and I’m PRETTY sure it doesn’t. I am currently working at a fairly large retail dept. store but it’s only seasonal.
I’m interested in what others who like me, haven’t worked for a while did to get themselves back into the work force. Interested in hearing what did and didn’t work for them.
As an example, when I was only a few months clean, a friend of mine from rehab said ‘hey my mom knows a guy who owns a sandwich shop lets go apply!’. I did go with her to apply and I got the job (we both did) but I literally just had the biggest anxiety attack ever. It wasn’t just a small shop it was Firehouse Subs which is an extremely busy large place where I live. I was told I wasn’t wrapping pickles fast enough and I lost any and all confidence I had been building. Bottom line was, I wish I had waited a little longer before starting any kind of job bc mentally I was just NOT ready.
I recently got this retail job and I am actually excited (albeit a little nervous) when I go into work and have liked it a lot. I just don’t have too many hours and they really only want to keep the people who want to work full time and 9 hr shifts and that just isn’t something I feel like I am ready for.
Please share your storys/thoughts/opinions/suggestions etc. about anything related to working after getting clean. Look forward to hearing your thoughts and meeting you guys!
Hi Kelly. Sounds like things are going well for you! A temp agency may be an option for you. You will get to try different positions and something could turn into full time.
Thank you so so much for the kind reply. Ive been a member here for a while but it’s taken me this whole year and a half to even be able to communicate with anyone outside my little safety bubble (mom, sister people from rehab, therapist & Dr). I was kinda frozen just praying to get through all of the anxiety in my mind and body. I’m so happy someone reaponded thank you!
I loved nursing. But there wasn’t one day as a nursing student or as a nurse that I wasn’t loaded. I’m terrified of working 12 hour shifts sober. Thank God it’s going to be a good year until I can even get my license back. In the meantime I’m just doing my little 4-5 hour shifts at Macys trying to gain back my physical stamina and build my confidence back. Thank you for your words of support, so much appreciated
Yes. For sure this is where I am headed. I have another 5 months before I can work at any rehabs/recovery homes where I live. They all require 2 years clean.
Yes! A temp agency is a great idea! Thank you Frank68!
Omg really? This is super encouraging and I’m so happy to know someone can understand and relate to what I’m going through. This is exactly what I was hoping would start happening. Yes!
I’m glad you asked this question. I need more time focused entirely on my recovery from alcohol as well as stabilizing in my mental illness before I add a job into it, so I hadn’t thought to think about this. I’d like to plan ahead for it, thanks for the reminder! It’s been a few years for me since I had regular work, and I’m anticipating needing to start slow like you are. Even though I’d love to dive into something full time, like, tomorrow
Hi and welcome @Kellwhy😀
Im also a nurse but have decided that i want out of it. The shift makes me sleepless (working 80%ningt for 18 years) and plays a role to my binge drinking.
Im back at school studying psychology. Going for a job at day time working 3 days on with resting nightshift then 7 days off. But it might be something else in the end.
It’s so nice to read about your challenges and plans to respond to them. You have such a lovely positive attitude. Hang around here, it sounds like you have lots to give
Welcome a year and a half? Im sure you can teach some of us a thing or 2
I am really interested to hear what ideas come up here actually because while I’m pretty settled in my long-arsed-houred, hectic job (which I think has mostly aided my sobriety), its definitely not for everyone in recovery so looking forward to responses. I don’t know how to word the question correctly but im sure you’ll get me; what ‘type’ of nurse are you?
In my previous jobs I was working in childcare then a chef, I could return to this as I have a clear record , however I’m looking at going in to be a drug and alcohol recovery coach
a year and a half? Im sure you can teach some of us a thing or 2 
if you need an extra dose of stress that is 
no thanks, but I’m doing cooking with recovery program anyway right now.