How do I repair my career? What is life skill training?

Careers

Calling in sick every Monday, having other people call in for you, not calling
in at all, and sometimes, not even going back at all . . . these are some of
the ways that we try to hide our drinking and/or using from our workplace.
“If I’m still working, it can’t be that bad” . . . a common phrase of the
functioning alcoholic / addict. And, of course, there’s always the lunch where
we are just going to have a drink to take the edge off – but never return to
work from lunch.

Rebuilding our careers can be painful, our egos bruised. We CAN learn to
be valuable members of the work force. After detoxing and stabilization, we
often need to re-learn our skills and, more often than not, how we present
ourselves. Addiction is sometimes called a disease of perception. How we
perceive ourselves compared to how we “really are” can be two very different
networks.

Often part of rebuilding our careers will entail bringing something to the
workforce rather than seeing what the workforce will bring to you. One of
the new ideas in treatment Recovery Advocates is developing is a substance
abuse rehabilitation program that focuses on specific skill developments that
may serve as guideposts to new career opportunities.

Life Skills

How do we perceive our own behaviors?
behaviors?

“Activating events” can come on many levels, all the way from having a flat
tire to how we handle grief, loss, or a broken heart. There are certain events
that can hijack the brain of the alcoholic and/or addict that do not affect
others in the same manner. A broken heart can be treated by going on a
bender or a drug binge – this is not exactly normal behavior.

When the brain of an alcoholic becomes activated or triggered on any level,
there is not enough serotonin or dopamine to assist in coping with even the
smallest infraction. Because of this, the brain becomes hijacked and the
alcoholic/addict is at a loss as to how to deal with certain events. Because
of the feelings invoked, the alcoholic/addict will usually turn to drugs or
alcoholic that actually mimic the very chemistry missing in the brain. This is
just one of the ways the alcoholic/addict engages in destructive behavior.

So how does an addict/alcoholic change their own brain chemistry so that
they can co-exist with other folks who seem to be “normal” when faced with
adversity? This is where the life skills come into play.

How do others perceive our

Recovery Advocates has a team of expert sober advocates who are skilled
at working with clients one-on-one, leading by example, teaching recovery
skills, and hands-on work, travel, and family participation.
With the
advocates’ assistance, the client can re-cap their social behavior with the
people they work with, family members, and developing friendships and
lasting relationships.