How to Find a Job After Rehab

Crafting a Compelling Job Application

Your application materials should demonstrate that you understand the company’s needs. You can do this in several ways: 

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to fit each new job application. Make sure you include relevant keywords and highlight the skills that make you a great candidate. 
• Be honest without oversharing. Never lie on your resume—that information is easy to verify. It’s better to show a gap in employment than a false description of your work history. That being said, you don’t have to bring up new information that might undermine your goals. 
• Frame your experience positively. Directly address any concerns an employer might have. For example, if you have a conviction on public record, you can use your cover letter to describe your progress since then. Explain how your past experiences have helped you grow.

Navigating the Job Interview

A job interview is your chance to make a good first impression. Up until this conversation, you’re just a name on a resume. But when you meet, they can get to know you as a whole person. It’s important to demonstrate your commitment here:

• Dress the part. Show up in professional attire that suits the job in question. If you’re applying to work as a restaurant server, for instance, you might want to arrive in comfortable shoes instead of 4-inch high heels. 
• Practice your responses to common interview questions.⁶ At the same time, consider how your experience has prepared you for this job. This is more than a chance to present yourself well. It’s also an opportunity to build confidence.
• Decide in advance how much you want to share. There’s no one right or wrong answer here—it depends on your history and on which jobs you’re applying for. But whatever you choose, you can plan ahead to avoid being caught off guard.

If you need to talk about your history of addiction, you can discuss it positively and professionally. What did you learn from the experience, and what are you still learning? Maybe you have a stronger support system than you once did, or you know more about how the brain works. Tell the interviewer how much you’ve grown, and what your goals are for the future. You can also tell them what you’d need from a new employer. For example, if you attend A.A. meetings every Tuesday at 2 pm, you might need those afternoons off. 

Disclosing Your Rehab History

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination. In other words, you can’t be fired from a job just because you have a disability. The ADA applies to people with substance use disorders⁷ and mental health issues. These protections last throughout recovery, but they change in each stage of the hiring process. 

While You’re Applying

• Your potential employer may not ask if you have a disability.
• If you disclose that you have a disability, your potential employer may not ask about the nature of that disability. 
• If your potential employer asks about your disability, violating the ADA, you are not required to answer. 
• Even if you answer questions that violate the ADA, you are eligible for ADA protections.

After You Get Hired, Before Starting the Job

• Your new employer may ask questions about your medical history, including addiction, as long as they’re relevant to the job.
• Your new employer may ask about your current alcohol and drug use. 
• If asked, you must answer questions about your disability. However, if they don’t ask, you’re not legally required to volunteer new information. 

After Starting the Job

• Your employer can only ask about your condition if it’s directly relevant to your ability to do your job.
• If you’re actively using drugs or alcohol—or engaging in another addictive behavior that impairs your ability to work—you can legally be fired.
• If you develop an addiction to a medication you only take as prescribed, you are protected by the ADA. If you take the same medication excessively, you’ll lose that protection.

It’s important to understand these laws so you can protect yourself from illegal discrimination. However, because many jobs come through personal networks, a potential employer might already know about your treatment history. Although they can’t legally ask more detailed questions, they might mention information they already have. If that happens, you can address their concerns without revealing anything new. In these conversations, look for ways to frame your recovery as a strength. 

Building a Supportive Network

Finding employment doesn’t have to be a solo mission. Don’t be afraid to ask for help during this process. You can find support from many types of relationships: 

• Friends
• Family members
• Professional mentors
• Career coaches who specialize in post-rehab employment
• Aftercare specialists at your rehab

Reach out to your network for advice and emotional support, and to see if they know of any job openings. You might also be eligible for professional career coaching services. If you’re part of an aftercare program, ask your care team to connect you with these resources. 

Don’t limit yourself to the people you already know. This is a great time to get out there and make new connections. You can do that by going to industry or networking events, attending conferences, and taking in-person classes on related topics.

Maintaining Self-Care During the Job Search Process

Job searches are stressful for everyone. And if you’re in recovery, stress can be triggering.⁸ 

It’s important to commit to your recovery goals while you apply for jobs. Making a specific plan can help:

• Schedule self-care. You could decide to exercise every morning or go to bed at the same time each night. There’s no need to make major changes here. What strategies do you already find helpful? Write them down, and stick to your routine while you’re trying to find a job.
• Keep your commitments. Accountability is a big part of healing from addiction. Whatever your commitments are, it’s important to follow through. That could mean attending a weekly support group, taking daily medication, or responding to your therapist’s emails in a timely way. 
• Stay in touch. Check in with your support network regularly throughout your job search. Your loved ones can remind you that there’s more to life than getting a job. And that perspective can make you a more appealing candidate. 

Learn more about how to get a job after rehab from the experts. Connect with specialists in an addiction treatment program today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Job After Rehab