Completing rehab and moving into recovery is a huge achievement, and while the hard work continues from there, it can be the platform you need to continue with your life and make of it what you want. For many people, life after recovery involves a completely fresh start, from their daily routines to the careers they move forward with. Visit any rehab centre and they’ll provide people with the skills and tools to cope with stress and the triggers that can often lead to relapse, but people do also need to help themselves, and choosing a career that reduces stress and can aid in recovery is key to that.
There are a wealth of careers out there that can help with that. So, we decided to run down some of those that could be appealing and beneficial to you…
Counselling and Support Roles
Naturally, you’ve been supported by people inside and outside rehab, and it may be that you want to put your own first hand experience into a career in aiding others. Many people follow a pathway of couselling and offering support to people in the form of a recovery coach and the like, and it can be a really rewarding job.
That starts with training and obtaining the right qualifications, before finding yourself a role that can really have a positive impact on other people’s lives.
Fitness and Wellness Industry
Similarly, on the journey into recovery, fitness and wellbeing are a key part of a person’s routine and that can also be channeled into a career. Consider becoming a fitness instructor, yoga teacher, or personal trainer, helping others embrace a healthier lifestyle. These roles allow individuals to foster positive habits, encourage self-discipline, and contribute to the well-being of their clients, aligning with the principles of a balanced and sober life.
Creative Arts
Stress free environments are really important in life after rehab and setting up a business that allows you to focus on your arts and crafts can be a good route to take. If you’re talented in a certain area you can make the most of it in a number of ways, whether it be setting up an online store, pitching a stall at a weekly market or offering training sessions to teach other people your skill, there are a number of ways to make money in a fulfilling way that combines your skills and loves.
Social Work
Likewise, while counselling may be an option, social work can also provide rewarding opportunities that allow you to give back. There are many organisations out there that look for first hand experience, training people to then be able to support others in the likes of addiction recovery, mental health and community support.
There are many roles within social work that will allow you to leverage your own experiences and create real positive change within society.
Small Business Ownership
While we’ve mentioned arts and crafts as an opportunity to set up a business, the same applies with any interests that you believe could be monetised. However, it is important to approach this at the right time in your recovery as building a business can be stressful, but with the right support in place and the skills you have, it could be the biggest and best change you could ever make in your life.
Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Taking a slightly different direction, cybersecurity can be a challenging role but one that is hugely rewarding. Why it can be good for those that have undergone rehab is largely down to the analytical nature of it.
Of course, it does require a lot of training, but the problem solving skills that are required are also what are learned in addiction treatment and heavily required in recovery, with your career skills essentially complementing your life ones.
Renewable Energy
After rehab we often think about things differently, especially when it comes to our environment and sustainability. That can translate into a career with more and more roles opening up around renewable energy.
As part of our career after addiction treatment we often want to find a sense of purpose, and making the world a cleaner and greener place in a growing industry is certainly going to do that.
Healthcare Administration
The healthcare sector will have supported you on your journey, so taking one of the more stress free roles within it can be a positive pathway to take for your career. There are various roles which you can enjoy, from office management to hospital admin and even healthcare policy analysis.
It helps support patient care without being involved in clinical roles, ensuring the smooth ticking over of the healthcare sector and a key cog in the wheel.
Environmental Conservation and Wildlife Preservation
We’re a nation of animal lovers and for those that are seeking a role that aligns with their passion for the natural world, then environmental conservation and wildlife preservation is something that you can get involved in. There are many roles that can be taken up in the sector, often ones that are largely stress free too.
Park rangers, environmental educators, even working in the various roles available in a zoo can be a good move.
Alongside this, if it’s not necessarily the career for you but you want to get involved, there are tons of voluntary roles around to help you look after the environment, from litter picking at a weekend to spending a few hours a week at a dog’s home. Think about what area of conservation and preservation you’d like to work in and you’ll find some volunteer work to help.
Trades and Vocational Professions
Finally, picking up a career in a trade or vocational profession can be a good option as your skills really are valued. Carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and other trades offer stable employment and can largely be stress free, unless you are running your own business and struggling to make ends meet. However, with the role there’s also a real sense of accomplishment in completing tasks and helping people in the process, as well as being a key part of the country’s infrastructure.