Dealing with a substance use issue can be incredibly difficult, and often stresses for everyday life can only make matters worse. Aspects of life such as work or school can directly lead to the development of a substance problem or make an existing issue worse.
Whether you are dealing with a new substance abuse issue or are trying to avoid relapse, treatment options exist for those who need help but cannot afford to leave their jobs or home for an extended stay within an inpatient setting.
The Mental Health Toll of Work
It is not news that many people often feel stressed at work, but the numbers may still be surprising. A survey showed that 83% of workers in the United States feel stressed at work, while 63% claim they are ready to leave their jobs as a result of that stress. Of course, many of those people will not actually quit their jobs because of financial motives.
Work can be incredibly stressful and take a severe toll on the mental well-being of employees. This problem only becomes more serious when accounting for the relationship between stress and substance abuse. The effects of stress on the brain are similar to the impact of chronic addiction. A person who is often stressed is more vulnerable to developing a substance addiction and will be more likely to relapse even after treatment.
Not all stress is bad, believe it or not. Eustress, or “good stress,” as it is often called, is a type of stress we feel during times of excitement or stimulation. We may feel “on edge” and notice things like a faster heartbeat, but the fear or danger is absent. Acute levels of stress are also primarily harmless and can be an influential motivating factor at work or school.
The problem arises when a person experiences high levels of often or chronic stress. Chronic stress occurs when someone is constantly placed in high-stress situations. Over time this stress takes an immense toll on a person physically and psychologically.
The Time Obligations of a Job
Even if a person is not experiencing chronic stress in their workplace, their job may hinder their treatment process. A job, even a low-stress one, takes up an immense level of time and effort in a person’s life. Combined with outside obligations at home, work may use up time that prevents a person from receiving the treatment they need.
People may not seek out help because they do not feel they have the time or ability to do so, even if they need treatment. This can be true for people with a mild substance use problem that they have never received treatment or people out of treatment looking to continue their recovery journey and learn more strategies to maintain long-term sobriety.
For many, programs designed for professionals that take place during after-work hours can be incredibly beneficial. Reach out to us to discuss further treatment options that will work best for your individual needs.
Receiving Treatment While Holding a Job
Warner Park Recovery Center has recently implemented an evening program designed to give treatment access to professionals who may otherwise not have availability during the daytime. This program is available for people dealing with a substance use issue or mental health disorder.
The program offers three group meetings per week, from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening. Group meetings can be accessed virtually through our TeleMed options. Although many will take advantage of the virtual support, we suggest that each client attend in-person meetings at least once per week. In-person sessions often encourage higher levels of participation which is beneficial to long-term sobriety.
The evening program is the right fit for people looking to get their challenges under control before it becomes serious. Whether a person is dealing with substance use or mental health challenges, work can often cause stress and anxiety, leading to these issues becoming more serious. Our evening program can help people build coping strategies and healthier behavior so that the stresses of everyday life do not lead to severe addiction or mental health obstacles.
Addiction Treatment for Professionals in Woodland Hills, CA
At Warner Park, helping people through treatment is our primary goal. We believe that this evening programming will allow many people to seek help who may have otherwise felt unable. This program is especially helpful for those whose jobs may make it difficult to find time for treatment, as well as individuals who many feel that their substance use or mental health challenges are mild but fear them becoming more severe over time.
Seeking treatment while maintaining a job can be a challenging process. It may feel difficult to fulfill your obligations at home, work, and in treatment simultaneously. However, it is vital that you put your own mental and physical health above all else. Treatment as a preventive measure can be crucial in avoiding severe mental health challenges in the future. Work doesn’t always stop after you leave work, as self-care can be just as important, if not more so, than anything you accomplish at your job.
Let Us Help You With Addiction Treatment
At Warner Park Recovery, we’re here to help individuals and families by providing exceptional addiction treatment options. We’re a dual diagnosis (mental health combined with substance abuse treatment) program that offers partial day, intensive outpatient, and traditional outpatient levels of care. We regularly treat patients from the Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Topanga Canyon, The Valley, and Thousand Oaks areas. If you are looking for help with addiction treatment, please give us a call to learn more about our professional services!
