Many people in recovery worry about what their job prospects will be now that they are sober and have moved on from addiction. The good news is that, in recovery, a whole new world of job opportunities will open up. However, it is important to understand what jobs drug test. This can help you determine if the job is right for you, and what to expect when entering the workforce.
What is Drug Testing?
Drug testing is a very common practice. So, what exactly is drug testing? Many people have heard of it but have never dealt with it first hand.
According to Drug Testing by Doctors McNeil, Chen, and Cogburn, “Drug testing detects the presence or absence of a drug or its metabolites in a biological sample. This process can be completed in a variety of settings and with a variety of techniques. Despite the drawbacks, drug testing plays an essential role in the clinical setting because clinical examination, patient self-reporting, and collateral reporting will often underestimate the actual incidence of substance use.” While it can be scary, drug testing can actually be beneficial for individuals in recovery.
The Benefits of Drug Testing for Recovery
Drug testing can be beneficial for individuals in recovery because it can keep them accountable. It can also stop an individual from relapsing, which is more common than you might think.
Relapses often happen when a person feels like they are no longer being held responsible for their continued sobriety. Based on people’s reports and experiences, this happens a lot. There are also many factors that can lead to a relapse.
The lack of drug testing is not the only factor that leads to a release. As highlighted in Middle East Current Psychiatry, Ain Shams University, “[R]esearches had linked to a variety of factors to relapse in patients with SUD, which are categorized as individual, socio-demographic, psychiatric, medical diseases, and socio-cultural impacts. Predictors of relapse might be as follows: young age at initiation, sex, unemployment, single status, peer group influence, family history of substance use, conflict and poor family support, and environmental factors such as drug availability and accessibility.”
What Jobs Drug Test?
There are many jobs that require drug testing. Perhaps the most common jobs that require drug testing are government jobs. These jobs not only require drug testing but they also tend to have very comprehensive background checks.
Many other jobs require drug testing. In fact, there are probably more jobs that do drug testing than people think. These are jobs like construction, transportation, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. However, it is also true that many jobs have changed the types of drug testing that they do, and that the enforcement of drug testing will depend on the policies of each employer.
For example, many jobs no longer test for cannabis. This is because it has become legal for recreational use in many states. Of course, this does not mean that cannabis is safe by any means. It can be highly dangerous and addictive.
No More Anxiety About Drug Testing
The good thing about being engaged in a successful and effective addiction recovery plan is that you no longer need to worry about drug testing. This is one of the benefits of sobriety – we no longer need to fear the unknown. This is because we are now on a path in which we choose to take the first right action every time.
Of course, there is always the potential that a relapse may happen. After all, addiction is a cunning, baffling, and powerful disease. If this happens and you work in a job that does drug testing, it is probably best to be upfront with your boss rather than fail a drug test.
Actually, many companies have human resources departments that can help you if you are struggling to get sober. Many of these jobs even have opportunities where they will pay for your treatment. The key is to be open and honest about what is going on.
The Importance of Long-Term Success at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we know the importance of long-term success over short-term “fixes.” That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. These recovery plans are designed to ensure that drug testing need not be an issue in the future. Where you will no longer dread what consequences may come next.
If you are struggling with addiction, drugs and alcohol have likely ruled your life for far too long. It is time to set yourself free. Yes, it is time to live a life beyond your wildest dreams in recovery. There is hope out there. We can help you find it.
It is important that you can navigate the landscape of employment drug testing. It is important that you know which industries commonly require drug tests, the impact of testing on you if you are seeking a job in recovery, and have the tools for finding supportive workplaces. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. To begin your healing journey complete this short form or call The Phoenix Recovery Center at (801) 438-3185.
