Pathways to Employment: Your guide to a career in substance use services
This toolkit brings a range of information and support together into one resource for people with lived and living experience of substance use looking to pursue careers in the drug and alcohol sector.
How do I adjust to starting a job?
Once you have secured a job, you should have support to settle in. Working in a professional role may feel different, but you will be in a great position to help others in their recovery journey.
The Scottish Government has created ‘Guiding Principles’ to help employers support and recognise the potential of employees with lived experience. This document will let you know how your employer should support you. Wellbeing support will also be available to you once in employment.
- The National Wellbeing Hub and helpline (0800 111 4191) is available to everyone working in health, social care and social work in Scotland.
- The Workforce Specialist Service, (0300 0303 300) offers a confidential mental health service. This is available to all regulated professionals working in health, social care and social work in Scotland who, due to confidentiality reasons, cannot access care or treatment through their own GP or other local services.
Setting boundaries at work
Starting a professional role involves a transition that might take some adjustment. Setting clear boundaries is important in this type of work, as you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal recovery. Mistakes might happen, but what matters most is being honest and open if they do.
Here are tips to help maintain a healthy separation between your job and your personal recovery:
- Be mindful about what you share in recovery meetings where clients from your service are present.
- Some people prefer attending meetings where clients from their service are not present.
- Don’t talk about clients or work-related matters outside of work settings.
- If you attend a recovery meeting in a professional role, let the group know you are there as a professional.
Further learning whilst in work
The Scottish Government has created the Drug and Alcohol Workforce Learning Directory which can support you in your career to access learning opportunities whilst working with people affected by substance use.
This Learning Directory is aligned with the Drugs and Alcohol Workforce Knowledge and Skills Framework. The “Informed” level sets out the knowledge and skills that you will be expected to develop when you begin working to support people who use substances.