After completing rehab and reintegrating into your everyday routines, you may feel workplace stress is becoming too much to manage. You learned in recovery that you should avoid triggers—places, people, things, or experiences—that could cause you to lapse or relapse. Yet, you need to work to earn a living. So, how do you know when workplace stress threatens your recovery, and what can you do about it? 

Is Workplace Stress Normal?

Experiencing some degree of workplace stress is normal. However, it is no longer normal when the stress becomes excessive, and you start feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Excess stress is often a precursor for alcohol and substance use disorders.

For example, many people look forward to having a few drinks after work to let off steam and unwind after a stressful day. On the other hand, some people might use benzos or other drugs that make them feel relaxed, happy, and calm as a way of coping with stress. 

Eventually, this pattern is reinforced, so one might start day drinking or using drugs while working just to get through their day. Unfortunately, at this point, the person is on the path to addiction. 

What Can You Do When Workplace Stress Becomes Too Much?

The first thing you need to do is take a step back and determine what is causing the excess stress. Next, you should evaluate the following situations and behaviors to determine if any of these are the cause. 

• You drink or use drugs while at work. If you used drugs or drank while at work, this can create added stress when in recovery. Since you are putting yourself in a location where you used to use, it can make you start thinking about drinking or using drugs again. As such, your stress levels can go through the roof.
• You drink or use drugs with coworkers. Another situation that can amp up stress levels is when you have to be around people you used to drink or use drugs with. For example, you would sneak off and snort coke with a coworker. Or maybe you used to go out for drinks after work. Your coworkers may expect you to join in after you return from rehab. 
• You have quotas or other goals that are difficult to reach. Excess stress can occur when you worry about reaching your quotas or goals, especially when you could lose your job when you do not meet them. 
• You work in a hostile work environment. When your employer, boss, or other people in the workplace act in an abusive and offensive manner, it can create a hostile work environment. Working in these conditions can take your stress levels through the roof. 
• You are required to work a lot of overtime. Stress levels can quickly rise when you are not getting sufficient sleep. As a result, you may find it more difficult to utilize your coping strategies and could start to consider drinking or using drugs again. 

What Can You Do About Excess Workplace Stress?

You have several options you can consider when dealing with excess workplace stress. For example, when you drank or used drugs at work or with coworkers, you probably should start looking for a new job. By eliminating these triggers and starting fresh with a new job, you can bring your stress levels down to more normal levels. 

The same is true when you work in a hostile work environment. Risking your sobriety is not worth any amount of money. Instead, it is healthier for you to find a job environment you can feel comfortable in and not worry about being harassed or abused. 

When it comes to working overtime, while the extra money is nice, it is not worth your sobriety. Ask your employer if they can limit your overtime hours. If that doesn’t work, you could ask your doctor to write you a medical note stating due to your health, you can only work a set number of overtime hours. Your doctor does not have to share that you are in recovery. Nor can your employer ask. It is entirely up to you whether you want to share this information or not. 

Other things you can do to help reduce your stress levels include the following:

• Attend meetings. You can go to a meeting during your lunch or right after work. Talking about your stress can help you lower your stress levels. 
• Use your mindfulness skills throughout the workday. You can use deep breathing, stretching, or even short meditation sessions to help lower stress and make you feel more relaxed.
• Hit the gym during your lunch hour. Getting in a quick workout can increase natural neurotransmitter levels that alleviate stress and make us calmer. 
• Utilize addiction treatment aftercare support and programs. Most rehab centers will have alum and aftercare support and programs you can take advantage of to continue learning strategies to lower stress and maintain sobriety. 

Addiction Treatment Aftercare in Murfreesboro, TN 

At Tulip Hill in Murfreesboro, TN, we are here to help you when you are experiencing excessive stress and are afraid of relapsing. We offer personalized aftercare programs to help you maintain your sobriety. Contact us today for more information.

Completing detox and rehab for substance use disorders is the first part of the recovery process. As you adjust to your new sober lifestyle, you will have to decide when and how to tell people you’re in recovery. 

Why Is It Hard to Tell Someone You’re in Recovery?

Some people find it hard to tell others they are in recovery. They may feel embarrassed, guilty, shameful, or worried about how others will react once they find out. The person in recovery can also feel overly anxious and stressed because they are unsure of what to do. 

When to Tell Someone You’re in Recovery

There may never be that perfect moment to tell someone you’re in recovery. However, that does not mean you should avoid telling others if you want to tell them. It is entirely up to you to decide how you want to tell others and what you want to say to them. 

In addition, sharing that you are in recovery can make you feel better. You can feel a big weight lifting and feel more at ease and comfortable around the person you told. Yet, it is understandable that you may be hesitant to say anything if you worry they may be judgmental.

How to Tell People You’re in Recovery

Learning how to tell people you’re in recovery is an essential skill you need to develop as part of the recovery process. Initially, you may not be too comfortable sharing this information with others. However, the more you talk about your recovery and sobriety, the more comfortable you can become, so you are no longer afraid or worried about what others think. 

To help you become more comfortable telling others, we recommend reviewing the following tips.

Do not feel like you have to overshare details about your addiction and recovery.

You can keep things short and to the point without going into any details. For example, if someone asks if you want a drink, you can simply say, “I’m in recovery, no thank you.” and leave it at that. 

If they ask you questions you are uncomfortable answering, then politely tell them you are not yet comfortable talking about it. If they press you for details, you can respond by saying it is in the past. 

As you become more comfortable with your recovery and sobriety, then you can share further details about your recovery and addiction. 

Do not worry if others judge you after you tell them. 

As you tell people you are in recovery, they may not always respond positively. For example, some friends and family members may have their doubts because they have been around you through your addiction. In this case, it is best to prove them wrong through your actions. 

On the other hand, some people will be judgmental and not understand why you are in recovery and why you cannot drink or use drugs occasionally. When you come across someone like this, you need to question whether maintaining a relationship with them is really best for your sobriety and recovery. 

Chances are, you will not want someone who is judgmental of your recovery in your life. Having people like this in your life could actually be counterproductive to your recovery and sobriety.  

You do not have to tell everyone, just those who matter most to you.

Not everyone needs to know your personal business or that you are in recovery. The only people you should focus on are the ones that matter the most to you. 

For example, if you are in a restaurant and the server asks if you want a drink, you can simply say no thank you. You do not need to tell them you are in recovery. 

On the other hand, if you meet a close friend you haven’t seen since you have been out of rehab, and they ask if you want a drink, telling them you are in recovery or are now sober would be acceptable. 

Again, it is entirely up to you who you tell, when to tell them, and how much you tell them. 

Do not feel obligated to tell others.  

You should never feel obligated to tell others you’re in recovery. Essentially, it really is none of their business. When deciding to tell people, it should be because you want to tell them, not out of obligation. 

Write a letter to help you prepare to tell others. 

Opening up and sharing with those you want to tell can be difficult. A great tool is to write down what you want to say in a letter. Writing a letter ahead of time can help you gather your thoughts and share exactly what you want to share.

After writing your letter, you can either use it when you talk to the person or simply hand them the letter and let them read it. 

Addiction Treatment Aftercare in Murfreesboro, TN 

If you are having difficulties telling others you are in recovery or having issues with rebuilding relationships with those you have told, Tulip Hill in Murfreesboro, TN, is here to help with our addiction treatment aftercare programs. For further information, contact us today.