Employment

Women in treatment exhibit a variety of needs related to vocational development. Many of the clients have had little employment. Others have had jobs during their years of drinking or drug use but association of particular workplaces with addictive behavior often make it difficult for the women to continue working in these environments. Whether or not the resident has been employed previously, the over-riding issue of women's employment is low self-esteem, fear of failure. Vocational development is necessary and practical for a resident's livelihood and it is vital to the woman's self-esteem and independence.

Group therapy is used to help the woman with the contingencies of employment. Pre-job readiness groups and job preparation groups are held to deal with resume writing, job-related fears, professional image-setting, entry and re-entry into the working world. Role playing is used to help the resident practice interviewing skills. Attention is given to body language, appropriate dress and to communication skills. Learning how to balance home and work life is discussed. Individual counseling is used to help women determine personal interest and aptitude for careers. Women are cautioned about taking high-stress jobs during the early months of recovery.

Additional strategies for vocational development include:
• Exploring women's re-entry programs at community colleges
• Networking with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for testing and referral or placement
• Contact with community colleges for career decision courses
• GED diploma preparations and testing
• Community Work Experience Placements

Traditional female jobs are often of a service nature. 90% of all care giving positions are held by women. Deliberate efforts are made to not limit job availability to those reflecting a strong sex-role bias. Unattractive or financially unrewarding jobs may have been an addict's reason for rejecting the non-drug-abusing world in the first place. Efforts are made to help each woman choose from the entire range of possible occupations so that they can find work that is sufficiently interesting and rewarding.

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