Meaningful Work and Passionate Play
When in the midst of addictive behaviors, it may have been difficult or impossible to hold down a satisfactory job. Coworkers may have been co-participants in addictive behaviors. Recovery provides an excellent reason to re-evaluate one's job satisfaction. How can a recovering addict determine if a new job would be a smart move?
Does your current job provide a recovery-friendly environment?
Are there triggers associated with your current job, coworkers, and so forth that might jeopardize recovery?
Does your current job have adequate benefits for treatment and recovery needs?
Can you be honest about addictions and recovery at your current job without fear of being fired, denied promotions, or denied opportunities?
Is job satisfaction present with your current employment?
Are there opportunities for personal and career growth?
Will your current job fit in with your vision of a recovering future?
If the answer to many of these questions is no, then it's time to move forward in a different career direction. One of the secrets to successful recovery is finding satisfaction in something other than addictions. Having a career that is challenging and rewarding and that provides opportunities to give back to society in a meaningful way is an excellent way to displace a life of addictions. If a career change seems in order, see a career counselor, attend a vocational rehabilitation program, or check in with a college guidance counselor to help get ideas and direction.
Essential
In considering a career change, keep in mind that goals need to be realistic in light of one's talents, skills, training, and opportunities. Unrealistic expectations for one's career can lead to frustration, can generate negative emotions, and ultimately, can jeopardize one's recovery. Research the situation so that, with hard work, goals are reachable.
Having fun without having to worry about the consequences may have been missing from your life for a long time while addictions were in control. In recovery, it's time to play and play with passion! There will be no hangovers, no blackouts, and no fears of arrest to darken one's fun.
For some recovering addicts, there may be feelings of confusion and a sense of being lost related to play. Healthy playtime may never have been a part of the picture. Don't be afraid of learning how to play. Don't allow age, career, negative emotions, shame over the past, or any other obstacle to negate one's need and right to play.
Learn new games, try out fun new activities, take lessons if need be, but engage wholeheartedly in play. Again, play is about replacing addictions with a more meaningful and satisfying activity. Not only is it fun to play, but it's a protection against slips and relapses. The only thing to keep in mind is balance.
Satisfying work and passionate play are to balance one another. Recovering addicts must always be watchful that life doesn't become lopsided in any one direction, even if that direction is a good one.
