The Greatness Within - Edition 10

The Ups and Downs of Working in the Substance Use Field.?

Written by: Mike Gliem a.k.a. @Recovery Mike

Working in the substance use field can be both rewarding and challenging. It is a field that requires commitment, perseverance, and a strong sense of empathy. The highs of working in this field are the moments of recovery and success, the moments when you see the light shine in the eyes of someone who has battled addiction and has finally found peace after suffering for years, hopeless. It is the moments when you realize that you have made a difference in someone's life, for the better.

However, with the highs come the lows. The lows of working in this field are the moments of stress and chaos, the moments when you feel overworked and under-appreciated, and the feeling of unsuccess in attempting to guide someone back home and they don’t decide to not make a change. It is the moments when you feel that the odds are stacked against you, that the work you do is never enough. It is the moments when you see the devastation caused by addiction and realize that it is a battle that may never be fully won, not just for your clients, and their families, but as a community as a whole.

Despite the challenges, it is possible to find fun in your career while in the midst of times of stress and chaos. Often, humor can be a great stress reliever. When I say “humor” I mean genuine laughter and joy, not humor often used as a “fake coping skill” to avoid, or to mask feeling our emotions at that moment, but to rather know there’s a rainbow after the storm.

Also, finding common ground with clients, colleagues, and families can create a sense of camaraderie that helps to lighten the load, and helps your clients feel more comfortable relating and so, more likely to open up and become vulnerable, which makes the goal of helping others become more manageable. Knowing that you are not alone in your struggle can help you to maintain perspective.

Feeling gratitude by helping others recover and live productively is the ultimate reward of operating in the substance use field. Seeing the positive changes in someone's life as a result in parts of your efforts can be incredibly fulfilling. It allows you to know that you are making a difference, that your work matters, and in that you cannot put a monetary value on.

Setting boundaries and trying to find balance is essential when working in this field. It is important to take care of yourself so that you can effectively care for others. Setting limits on work hours, taking breaks, finding time for self-care, and sometimes hardest, trying not to bring your work home. Even though we most know there technically are no days off and it is a 24/7/365 assignment that can help to prevent burnout. Recognizing the need to step away from work and recharge is imperative for maintaining a successful long-lasting career in this field.

In conclusion, working in the substance use field is both challenging and rewarding. The highs and the lows can be intense, but finding fun and joy in your career, feeling gratitude by helping others recover, and setting boundaries will help you to navigate the sometimes-chaotic waters of this mission. At the end of the day, when you see the positive changes in someone's life, you will know that it was ALL worth it.

www.NextLevelMovement.org