Staying Sober After Being Fired

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Getting Fired – It Happens to the Best of Us

Job loss is a very common and very unfortunate part of adulthood – especially in this day and age, when cyclical, COVID-related shutdowns and reopenings leave business owners with a sense of uncertainty and a need to adapt to a completely unique set of circumstances. Once we get let go, we are left with a sense of financial insecurity and overall instability. How will we pay all of our bills? How will we make a living? What do we do now?

If we do get fired, it is absolutely essential that we have a set of healthy coping mechanisms and relapse prevention skills in place to make it through this undeniably tough time without picking up a drink or a drug. It is important to remember that being fired or let go is not a reflection of your personal ability or your work ethic. This is a very unstable and uncertain time for everything from small businesses to major corporations. If you are let go, there is a good chance that it is because of necessary downsizing. Still, even for those with years of recovery under their belts, fear of financial insecurity can come creeping back in. This is why having the proper coping skills in place is necessary in order to maintain sobriety and avoid relapse.

At the Guardian Recovery we put a strong emphasis on the development of relapse prevention skills from medical detox all the way through aftercare. We believe that with the proper coping skills in place, any obstacle or uncomfortable real life situation can be effectively tackled without a return to drinking or drug use. For more information on our comprehensive and highly individualized program of addiction recovery, reach out to us today.

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How to Stay Sober After Getting Fired

How do you effectively work through all of the uncomfortable feelings associated with getting fired in order to maintain your sobriety? Getting let go is likely to stir up a wide range of hard-to-deal-with feelings. You might feel rejected, defeated, insecure, unstable, fearful or not good enough. The first thing we suggest doing is honoring your feelings. It is completely normal to grieve the loss of a job, especially if it is one that you have had for quite some time or one that you were not anticipating losing. Healing from any loss takes time. Allow yourself to feel your feelings as they arise and process them patiently without engaging in negative self-talk. Try to be patient with yourself and acknowledge that it is perfectly acceptable to feel sad, angry and directionless. As soon as you accept yourself where you are you allow yourself to begin grieving, and the sooner you begin grieving the sooner you are able to heal.

Here are some additional steps you can take to help you stay sober after you are fired or after you are let go from a job unexpectedly:

  • Remember to utilize all of the tools you learned in inpatient treatment. At Guardian Recovery we work to instill healthy coping mechanisms in all of our clients should they ever be faced with an adverse situation – like losing a job. If you have been in recovery for quite some time, some of these coping mechanisms might have fallen by the wayside. For example – when was the last time you utilized breathing techniques and mindfulness meditation to calm your nerves? When was the last time you wrote out a comprehensive gratitude list? Look back to these tools and utilize them to help you navigate this undoubtedly difficult time.
  • Keep up with the basics. It can be all too easy to fall victim to self-pity after undergoing something like a job loss. Rather than stay in bed all day and wonder what your next step will be, make sure that you are making daily 12 step meetings, keeping up with prayer and meditation and continuing to call your sponsor every day. Not only does sharing where you’re at in 12 step meetings help you process your emotions, relate to others and stay sober, but someone might approach you with a job opportunity after the meeting, or be able to offer you some valuable insight.
  • Make sure that you are utilizing your support system. There is a very good chance that at least one person in your sober support system has gotten laid off in the recent past and has successfully maintained his or her sobriety. It can feel awkward or embarrassing to reach out to people and tell them about your personal problems, but remember – that is quite literally why you have a sober support network in place. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and advice whenever you need it, and remember that you are certainly not alone in your struggles.

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The Development of Relapse Prevention Skills

The development of effective relapse prevention skills is absolutely essential to long-term sobriety. At Guardian Recovery we begin teaching relapse prevention skills during the very first phase of addiction recovery – medically monitored detox. We help our clients identify their personal relapse triggers and effectively work through these triggers should they present themselves in life outside of treatment. We take a proven cognitive-behavioral approach to relapse prevention. Our one-on-one therapists help clients identify their unique triggers while general relapse prevention training is a major component of our daily group therapy sessions. Our goal is to equip our clients with all of the tools they need for long-term success in sobriety.

Vocational Training in Addiction Recovery

Many inpatient and outpatient treatment centers offer some level of vocational training. Typically, this training includes resume building and job interview training. At Guardian Recovery we take a far more comprehensive approach. We understand that there is much more to the professional world than building out a resume and interviewing for the job you want. We also help our clients determine which career path they want to take, and teach them what steps to take and what coping mechanisms to employ should they ever be let go. Our main priority is helping our clients prepare to make it through any potential, adverse situation with their sobriety completely intact.

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Guardian Recovery

Guardian Recovery offers an effective and individualized continuum of clinical care that begins with medical detox and continues with residential treatment, case management services and thorough aftercare planning. We have licensed and accredited addiction treatment centers in New Jersey, Maine and Southern Florida, serving men and women of all ages across the United States who have been suffering at the hands of a mild, moderate or severe substance abuse or dependence disorder. We understand how overwhelming it can be to choose a treatment center that will best meet all of your personal needs. For this reason, our team of experienced and compassionate Treatment Advisors are available around the clock to help guide you in the right direction. We offer medically monitored detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment options and a comprehensive program based on 12 step immersion. We offer dual diagnosis treatment options for individuals who are simultaneously suffering from a mental health disorder and trauma-informed care for those with unresolved trauma. No matter what your individualized needs, we are here to help. To learn more about our integrated program of addiction recovery or for support and guidance regarding how to stay sober after losing a job, simply reach out to us today. We look forward to speaking with you soon and helping in every way that we can.

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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.

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Reviewed professionally for accuracy by:

Ryan Soave

L.M.H.C.

Ryan Soave brings deep experience as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, certified trauma therapist, program developer, and research consultant for Huberman Lab at Stanford University Department of Neurobiology. Post-graduation from Wake Forest University, Ryan quickly discovered his acumen for the business world. After almost a decade of successful entrepreneurship and world traveling, he encountered a wave of personal and spiritual challenges; he felt a calling for something more. Ryan returned to school and completed his Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. When he started working with those suffering from addiction and PTSD, he found his passion. He has never looked back.

Written by:

Cayla Clark

Cayla Clark

Cayla Clark grew up in Santa Barbara, CA and graduated from UCLA with a degree in playwriting. Since then she has been writing on addiction recovery and psychology full-time, and has found a home as part of the Guardian Recovery team.

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