Rejoining workforce... - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Ariesdch · 04-06-2012, 08:45 AM

Long story short....LOL

Hitting the 6 month mark free of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Been working out daily. Feel good

However, I've been out of work since 10.2009...been living on some money from stocks and an annuity, but running out soon...so,

I NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK!

I had a good job, but I"m not looking to go back to same field (too much stress and I'm 51 years old, but look 35!)

So, my questions are:

1. In recovery, what types of jobs did people go back too?

2. How do you handle the stress of getting turned-down for jobs (i.e. avoiding relapse)?

Relayer · 04-06-2012, 08:48 AM

Wow... I have nearly the exact same problem. Was day trading with my IRA and doing pretty well with it... but $ needs got greater and now I'm starting to run out of $... have maybe 4-5 mos. worth left and it's ver scary. I understand your situation all too well. I've been having trouble with self-confidence to "put myself out there too" have you?

Relayer · 04-06-2012, 08:49 AM

Oh... btw... are you a musician? I'm a bass player in addition to being a marketing exec.

Ariesdch · 04-06-2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relayer

Wow... I have nearly the exact same problem. Was day trading with my IRA and doing pretty well with it... but $ needs got greater and now I'm starting to run out of $... have maybe 4-5 mos. worth left and it's ver scary. I understand your situation all too well. I've been having trouble with self-confidence to "put myself out there too" have you?

Well, I just started this week to explore. I know I have to start out slow with just a few hours work a week to get back into it..I was in really, really bad shape.

I'm older, but not so proud that I did put applications in at fast food places. Working up to management would be a path I could handle. I'll have to see how I handle it when the rejections start happening. Just have to accept it and move on I guess.

Yes, I play guitar. Would I call myself a musician? I don't think so ROFL

**Dee74** · 04-06-2012, 02:32 PM

hey aries

I have no experience to share - I haven't really been in the open jobmarket for 20 years - I was either studying or working in academia or running a business from home...but I wish you luck

D

Ariesdch · 04-06-2012, 06:15 PM

Part of me is terrified, part of me is "what happens, happens".

I'm not a super religious person, but I do believe things happen for a reason, otherwise, I would be dead. I will work hard at finding a job and hope I can walk the path laid-out for me

Have to stay positive because we all know too well where the dark side leads us!

Sober Me

Relayer · 04-06-2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariesdch

Part of me is terrified, part of me is "what happens, happens".

I'm not a super religious person, but I do believe things happen for a reason, otherwise, I would be dead. I will work hard at finding a job and hope I can walk the path laid-out for me

Have to stay positive because we all know too well where the dark side leads us!

Sober Me

Yeah... again... I'm pretty much in the same boat. Really hard to get a good job again. At 52, there's so much younger competition... you'd like to think that companies would appreciate the experience level, ya know? Btw, I did the cooking in a restaurant thing...I grew up in the restaurant business and cook really well. Anyway... not trying to discourage you at all... try it out. I couldn't really take it. That is young man's work!!

And the other thing was, too much drinking and drugging in that business... it's amazing. I blamed my last relapse on that job. Of course it was my fault, but the late nights and the crazy hard work just got to me.

Right now I'm willing to do nearly anything, but haven't given up hope for a desk or road sales/marketing job yet either. I keep networking and sending out resumes. Keep trying... I wish you the best!!

Ariesdch · 04-06-2012, 08:27 PM

I worked as a cook while going to college; I know what it's like in the kitchen

Fast food is different than that type of restaurant.

We sound similar, as I just turned 51 last month! I worked as a computer programmer for about 15 years in a college (and thus, had State retirement system). But alas, the drugs and drinking cost me that job. Some days it hits me hard that I lost that job, but it's water under the bridge. Can't go back, can't fix it....don't sweat it!

I'm going to tune-up my programmer's resume and see what's out there. I agree with the hiring practices of 50's and up, but we're the new 30's, right? I'm sure I have a good 10 to 15 years left in me and if a company doesn't see that, well it's their loss.

Good luck you you as well; don't let it get you down and I won't let it get me down. There's something out there for us

Ghostly · 04-06-2012, 11:24 PM

Well...sounds like you two have connected. Good luck, and keep us posted.

england · 04-08-2012, 01:31 PM

After being unemployed for about 4 months I decided to get back into the job market and to start off I took a step down the career ladder for a more junior role and this has really helped me. For example my confidence has improved and the stress level is non existant as I have no team to manage.

My contract finishes in the middle of May and I am thankful that this role has really helped me get back into the world of work as I know that I can reach the levels I had before I used cocaine.

I have gone back into my chosen field (marketing/ event organisation) as this is where I have worked for the past 8 years.

2 years ago I took rejection personally and this lead to me using more as it numbed the pain but since I am aware of my cocaine problem I am hopefully better equiped to deal with rejection. This is a subject I need to raise with my councellor as it could potentially beocme a downfall but at least I am aware of a possible trigger.

I'm not sure what the job situation is like where you live but maybe work for a charity as this will look good on your CV and build up your confidence while you are looking for work.

Good luck in your job search and I hope you find something soon

Taking5 · 04-08-2012, 03:03 PM

I have nothing to add to this thread except that I wish it wasn't in the men's room so the women could reply.

Ariesdch · 04-09-2012, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgillz

I have nothing to add to this thread except that I wish it wasn't in the men's room so the women could reply.

ROFL..When I first read this I was like "why are they reading posts in the bathroom?"

Then I realized what forum I posted this in. LMAO!!!!

I really couldn't find a decent forum of "General questions", so if this thread can be moved for greater visibility, I'm all for it.

04-06-2012, 08:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ariesdch Guest Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: In a happy Bob Ross painting Posts: 40	Rejoining workforce... Long story short....LOL Hitting the 6 month mark free of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Been working out daily. Feel good However, I've been out of work since 10.2009...been living on some money from stocks and an annuity, but running out soon...so, I NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK! I had a good job, but I"m not looking to go back to same field (too much stress and I'm 51 years old, but look 35!) So, my questions are: 1. In recovery, what types of jobs did people go back too? 2. How do you handle the stress of getting turned-down for jobs (i.e. avoiding relapse)?

04-06-2012, 02:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dee74 SR Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Seas Posts: 65,242	hey aries I have no experience to share - I haven't really been in the open jobmarket for 20 years - I was either studying or working in academia or running a business from home...but I wish you luck D __________________

04-06-2012, 11:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ghostly Groovy Dancer Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: The States Posts: 3,892	Well...sounds like you two have connected. Good luck, and keep us posted. __________________ Won't you look down upon me Jesus? You've got to help me make a stand. You've just got to see me through another day. My body's aching and my time is at hand, I won't make it any other way. - James Taylor

04-08-2012, 03:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
Taking5 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: LA - Lower Alabama Posts: 4,241	I have nothing to add to this thread except that I wish it wasn't in the men's room so the women could reply. __________________ It is easier to practice total abstinence than perfect moderation _______________________________________ Any quotes from the big book of AA are from the first edition, or are otherwise exempt from copyright infringement under the "fair use doctrine".

04-06-2012, 08:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Relayer Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Between Tampa and Orlando, FL Posts: 48	Wow... I have nearly the exact same problem. Was day trading with my IRA and doing pretty well with it... but $ needs got greater and now I'm starting to run out of $... have maybe 4-5 mos. worth left and it's ver scary. I understand your situation all too well. I've been having trouble with self-confidence to "put myself out there too" have you?

04-06-2012, 08:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Relayer Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Between Tampa and Orlando, FL Posts: 48	Oh... btw... are you a musician? I'm a bass player in addition to being a marketing exec.

04-06-2012, 06:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ariesdch Guest Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: In a happy Bob Ross painting Posts: 40	Part of me is terrified, part of me is "what happens, happens". I'm not a super religious person, but I do believe things happen for a reason, otherwise, I would be dead. I will work hard at finding a job and hope I can walk the path laid-out for me Have to stay positive because we all know too well where the dark side leads us! Sober Me

04-06-2012, 08:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ariesdch Guest Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: In a happy Bob Ross painting Posts: 40	I worked as a cook while going to college; I know what it's like in the kitchen Fast food is different than that type of restaurant. We sound similar, as I just turned 51 last month! I worked as a computer programmer for about 15 years in a college (and thus, had State retirement system). But alas, the drugs and drinking cost me that job. Some days it hits me hard that I lost that job, but it's water under the bridge. Can't go back, can't fix it....don't sweat it! I'm going to tune-up my programmer's resume and see what's out there. I agree with the hiring practices of 50's and up, but we're the new 30's, right? I'm sure I have a good 10 to 15 years left in me and if a company doesn't see that, well it's their loss. Good luck you you as well; don't let it get you down and I won't let it get me down. There's something out there for us

04-08-2012, 01:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
england Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: England Posts: 262	After being unemployed for about 4 months I decided to get back into the job market and to start off I took a step down the career ladder for a more junior role and this has really helped me. For example my confidence has improved and the stress level is non existant as I have no team to manage. My contract finishes in the middle of May and I am thankful that this role has really helped me get back into the world of work as I know that I can reach the levels I had before I used cocaine. I have gone back into my chosen field (marketing/ event organisation) as this is where I have worked for the past 8 years. 2 years ago I took rejection personally and this lead to me using more as it numbed the pain but since I am aware of my cocaine problem I am hopefully better equiped to deal with rejection. This is a subject I need to raise with my councellor as it could potentially beocme a downfall but at least I am aware of a possible trigger. I'm not sure what the job situation is like where you live but maybe work for a charity as this will look good on your CV and build up your confidence while you are looking for work. Good luck in your job search and I hope you find something soon

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