Question for recovering addicts who work with other addicts

[RedCappedBandit]

Greetins DUers!

Sorry if this doesn't belong in the GD, but I wasn't sure where this question would fit best so I'll just throw it here.



I am a recovering addict, fresh out of college with a degree in psychology. I'm looking into getting some real world, first hand experience in human services before I make any commitment to a certain program for grad school.

I have been looking at a number of entry level positions where I would be working directly with other addicts, whether the goal be harm reduction or helping them to get clean if that's what they want.

My question involves the application process. Would including the fact that I am a recovering addict in my cover letter be beneficial, or would it hurt my chances?
I could see it going both ways for different reasons.

I'd appreciate any and all input on the matter.
Thanks for reading.

[FreakinDJ]

1. Acceptance is step 1 - "Honesty is the best policy"

[ThomWV]

2. Yes, you're experience is of great value

When I went through alcohol rehab years ago every one of the people who tended to us was a recover(ing/ed) alcoholic. If they hadn't been there themselves they could never have done the job - we, the drunks, would have laughed them out of the room.

[RedCappedBandit]

8. Thanks for your input.. I had felt the same way going through treatment

There was actually one counselor at the facility I attended who was not in recovery. It was much more difficult for him to get respect from all of us than it was for the other counselors.

[old mark]

3. Me, too, but I have been there already. First, take a look at counselling jobs in your area.

D/A counselling is a lowpaying grind, but it is a great way to learn the realities of your local/area rehab and general social services system. You will do the real scut work, but that's pretty much the norm for this type of job.

I'd list your credits and educational background on paper, but leave the recovery part till the interview stage, and then if and when you feel it is warranted...I have had it go both ways. Some places are staffed with almost all recovering people - some people look down on you for it, even in D/A fields.If you find the second type of situation, I would bet you will hate working there anyway. Try to find some place you are comfortable with, where you really agree with what they are trying to do and how they go about doing it.

You will be underpaid wherever you go, but the experience dealng with people and the education in the system is more than worth a few years of poverty.

Congratulations and I wish you all the best.
You are doing it right.
Feel free to PM me if you have problems or questions - my wife and I both did what you are doing, from a Social Work background.
mark

[RedCappedBandit]

7. I'm okay with the pay..

I'm not really looking to make money; not right now, at least.
I really just want to work and live as a part of a community outside of my college town before graduate school.
I want hands on experience, and I want the opportunity to dedicate my time to helping others before I have to specialize further and lose the freedom that I have right now.

My biggest concern is fleshing out a cover letter. I'm not sure how best to make myself stand out .. I feel like my best selling point is how I am truly passionate about this subject, and that my own experiences have helped me to develop into a person who has much to offer in this field. How could I accomplish that without specifically discussing what those experiences are?

I guess I have some work ahead of me :) but thank you for the advice, it was very helpful.

You're right, I probably wouldn't want to work for an organization that is unwilling to hire recovering addicts.. If they don't have faith in that population, why should anyone have faith in their program?
It is still kind of shocking to know that such places even exist.. :shrug:

[old mark]

12. They not only exist, some of them are pretty nasty. I have had personnel people

tell personnel people in other organizations things about my history that were not even legal to reveal. I would urge you to err on the side of caution when writing an initial resume, save all your recovery disclosures for the interview only if you feel comfortable with how it is going. Pieces of paper tend to follow you around for a long time.

mark

[RedCappedBandit]

13. Very good point.. thank you again

I hadn't thought of the fact that I am, in fact, leaving a 'paper trail' through my cover letters. Sorry to hear the trouble you have had to deal with regarding the issue.
I will refrain from putting anything in writing. TYVM.

[MinneapolisMatt]

4. I would think it would be to your benefit.

Most people who work in the addiction/recovery field are recovering themselves. In fact, I think it's more unusual to find someone working in the field who has never been an addict.

I know when I was in rehab, it was a great help to me to know my counselors and therapists were all in recovery.

Now, if you were applying for a job that had nothing to do with that area, I probably wouldn't mention it, since it would be irrelevant.

Good luck! :hi:

[RedCappedBandit]

9. Excellent advice!

I've also been looking into a few positions as a direct care counselor for autistic adults in some nearby communities. Somehow, I don't think it would be too wise to bring up my experiences discussed in *this* thread.

Thanks :wave:

[Roon]

5. Years ago I had a nasty meth habit.

The counselor that helped me get off of it was a recovering addict too. In fact, that is why the clinic hired him.

[RedCappedBandit]

6. Thanks for the quick replies everyone...

I had pretty much been feeling what you guys are saying, but wanted to make sure.

When I was in rehab, almost everyone in direct contact with the patients as in recovery. It made sense - I wouldn't have respected a counselor who hasn't personally been there. In fact, the one counselor who was *not* in recovery always had trouble getting students to pay much attention during his lectures.

I also figured that any place working with addicts who doesn't respect them enough to hire them wouldn't be worth working for. They can't have much faith in their own program if that's the case, can they?

[MyNameGoesHere]

10. Would you include in a cover letter something like

I am a cancer survivor? HIV positive? Sex addictions? Or any other disease? I guess it all comes down to this. Check your motives than do what you feel is right.

[galileoreloaded]

11. I would warrant caution as to mentioning HOW you got sober and are staying there

There is a gulf between the 12 Steps and traditional therapy, and either group is quick to marginalize the other. Good over all, as it gives people in trouble options, but it absolutely can either be a big win or a big loser when looking for placement.

I am quite close to this, and you can IM me if you wish.

[RedCappedBandit]

14. Thank you

I noticed that discussing the methods involved in staying clean can frequently result in a heated argument when the people at hand go about it differently.
I hadn't planned on going into detail in what specifically worked for me, and now I have some validation.