Although you may have completed treatment at our drug detox center in Illinois, we know very well that your recovery journey is just beginning.

Sobriety is a life-long journey that requires commitment and hard work in order to get to where you ultimately want to be in life. A good way to start propelling your progress forward in recovery is with a job.

The Best Reasons to Return to Work After Rehab

Returning to work after drug rehab is not without its challenges, but it could be the next step you need in your recovery journey. It may be overwhelming and intimidating, but unless you can live off family money, you are going to have to do it eventually. Here are several benefits of going back to work after rehab.

Sense of Purpose

For many people, work can give them a sense of purpose. For people trying to fill the void left behind by drug and alcohol, their sense of purpose may be lacking. Returning to work after rehab is important because it may restore purpose and meaning to these people’s lives. A renewed sense of importance not only feels great but can also be a big motivating factor to staying sober.

Keep You Busy

Boredom is a major trigger for addiction relapses. Without a job, you may have too much free time on your hands. These large amounts of empty time may leave you feeling tempted to fall back into bad habits and use drugs or alcohol once more. Instead, a job can help you stay busy and use your time in a productive manner. It can also help you get your mind off drug cravings that may consume you if you have nothing better to do.

Get in A Routine

Along with keeping you busy, jobs can help get your life into a routine. Residential treatment centers often have strict schedules, but once you leave rehab, this structure may be lacking. Especially in early recovery when you are struggling with this transition, creating a healthy routine is important. One of the many benefits of going back to work after rehab is that your job can provide you with this structure that is missing. Once you have a regular work schedule, you can start to include exercise, recovery meetings, and hobbies into your routine as well.

Connect with People

You will likely not be close with all of your coworkers, but some may become close friends. These people can be an added layer of much needed support in your recovery journey, especially if you are struggling to make new friends in recovery.

Financial Responsibility

We find that many people in our Gilman rehabilitation center were relying heavily on their loved ones or friends to take care of them financially before they entered treatment. Now that you are sober and can hold down a job, it is time to start taking financial responsibility for yourself. While it is nice of your family to help you get back on your feet, you will feel much more empowered when you are able to support yourself on your own. A job can help you move out and start building your new life.

Start Building Future

While you may not currently have your dream job or the exact position you want to be in in your life, the only way to get to this point is by taking steps in the right direction. A job is a good steppingstone in this journey because it can help lead you down your desired career path as well as set you up financially for your future.

While there are many benefits of going back to work after rehab, there can also be some downfalls if you are not careful. If work was a big trigger in your life or helped lead you to drugs or alcohol in the first place, you may want to take it slow. Consider changing careers, finding a new position, or starting with a part-time job. All of these adjustments can help you still reap the rewards while keeping you from pushing yourself too hard and relapsing.

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If you or a loved one has yet to take steps to get sober, do not wait any longer. Call 888-280-4763 to learn more about our programs at Banyan Treatment Centers Heartland and to get started.