Pathways to Employment: Your guide to a career in substance use services

Exploring careers in substance use services

Working in substance use services can allow you to use your lived experience to help improve the lives of others.

Often people with lived experience might worry about working with or supporting people they know personally. However, everyone has a past and you should be able to move on from it this and use it to make a positive difference.

What roles are available in substance use services?

There are various roles available across the NHS, local health and social care, and third-sector services, such as charities and voluntary groups. These roles can be rewarding, and your own strengths and experiences can help you succeed.

Though the job names may vary depending on the organisation, two of the most common roles include:

1. Peer Support roles - these roles can be paid or voluntary. In these roles you would share your experiences to help others. These roles focus on building relationships and supporting others based on your own lived experience.

2. Support Practitioner roles - in these roles you would provide individual support to people affected by substance use, helping them stay engaged with treatment and encouraging their personal growth and independence.

Note: Many of these roles will have more specific information on individual organisations’ websites.

There may also be opportunities in mental health, homelessness, and advocacy services.

What are the first steps I can take?

1. The journey begins with a single step

Looking at this toolkit is a good first step.

2. Build up your confidence and skills

Think about opportunities to increase your self-belief and strengthen your own recovery. You might consider engaging with your local recovery community as one possible way to do this.

3. Identify the types of jobs you might be interested in

Use online job boards like myjobscotland, NHS Scotland jobs and Goodmoves. Searching key words such as “peer support,” “recovery worker,” or “lived experience” can help identify potential opportunities.

4. Set achievable goals

For example, look for volunteering opportunities.

5. Track your progress

Keep track of your actions to stay focused and see your progress.

6. Celebrate small successes

Recognise your achievements, like identifying a job of interest or applying.

7. Set an end goal

Aim for a goal, such as finding a volunteering opportunity or peer support role.

These steps will help you stay focused and patient, just like your recovery journey. Setbacks can happen, but you can get back on track and reach your goal.

Case Study: EACH Recovery Matters, East Ayrshire

EACH Recovery Matters offers strong employability support through gradual progression pathways, educational opportunities, ongoing support, and digital assistance. This helps individuals transition from early recovery into employment. EACH encourage service users to consider employment early in their recovery journey.

EACH provide practical and emotional support, connection and activities to give people purpose and ease them into volunteering and employment. Starting with simple volunteering tasks like making teas and coffees, EACH help people build confidence. As people progress, they get the opportunity to take on more formal roles, providing direct support to others at their Recovery Hub. When ready, EACH assist in supporting individuals into employment, either within their service or through other external opportunities.

EACH staff closely monitor each person’s readiness to ensure that any step forward does not compromise their own personal recovery. They also fund college courses and SVQ qualifications, helping individuals develop crucial skills for employment. Support through the disclosure process is also provided, with guidance and advice available throughout.

Through Digital Lifelines Scotland funding, EACH provides mobile devices and sim cards, helping individuals improve digital skills and access employment opportunities by removing digital barriers.

What other opportunities are available?

Scottish Drugs Forum’s National Traineeship

This program helps people with lived experience of substance use to work mainly in the substance use and wider social care field. It offers formal learning and work placements over 39 weeks. Visit the National Traineeship webpage for more information.

Elevate Glasgow

Elevate Employability offers support for moving towards education, training, volunteering, or employment. The service tailors support to your individual needs and provides ongoing help to maintain progress. The team combines recovery and employment expertise for a person-centred approach.