Relapse Prevention

Addictions and Recovery (addictionsandrecovery.org/relapse-prevention.htm)
Sound advice provided by an addiction specialist, Dr. Steven M. Melemis, on the factors contributing to relapse and strategies to maintain your recovery.

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Jobs

Once in recovery, rejoining the mainstream of life can be challenging. One of the barriers that may exist is difficulty finding employment. This section provides access to organizations that help people in recovery re-enter the workplace.

America in Recovery (americainrecovery.com)
America in Recovery is a non-profit effort to promote the hiring of people in recovery from alcohol and drug abuse as well as people with felony convictions. This no-charge hiring web site links job seekers and employers directly with each other.

Community Voice Mail (CVM) (cvm.org)
Provides free, personalized 24-hour voice mail access nationwide in order to empower people in crisis and transition by providing a direct link to jobs, housing and stability. CVM centers are listed by state on their web site.

National H.I.R.E. Network (hirenetwork.org/resource.html)
The National H.I.R.E. Network (Helping Individuals with criminal records Re-Enter through Employment) serves as an information clearinghouse and provides leadership on public policy to promote the employment of people with criminal records. Under Resources and Assistance, there are listings by state of government agencies and community-based organizations that assist people with criminal records. These agencies and organizations can be of assistance in providing job-related and legal services, answering questions arising from having a criminal record, or offering referrals to other useful organizations.

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Housing

Finding appropriate housing can also be a challenge during recovery, due to discrimination and cost issues. In addition, finding a living environment that specifically supports sobriety can be a crucial step in the process of recovery.

Click here for information on Sober Housing resources. (addictionrecoveryguide.com/treatment/housing.html)

National Coalition for the Homeless (nationalhomeless.org)
This private charity focuses on housing justice, economic justice, health care justice and civil and voting rights. Direct information is provided to the homeless including Sources of Help which lists online local, state and national directories, Things to Do if You May Become Homeless in a Few Days, and Things to Do if You May Become Homeless in a Few Weeks.

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Education

Recovery-based educational programs seek to protect the gains of people who have completed treatment by providing support for relapse prevention through peer recovery networks, parental involvement, lifestyle management, and a drug free community.

Featured

Scholarship Program for Recovering Students
Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery
Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX (www.ttu.edu)
For For information and scholarship applications: http://www.fina.ttu.edu/soi2.asp The Center¹s unique "addicts to scholars" program provides financial aid and a second chance to students recovering from various addictions. Approximately 35 scholarships are available for undergraduate students of any major in the University pursuing a minor in substance abuse studies and for chemically dependent persons and co-dependents who have demonstrated commitment to recovery programs. Eligibility includes regular participation in an appropriate recovery group; at least one year of complete, continuous abstinence from alcohol and drugs; at least 3 letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's recovery and academic potential; applicants must meet all normal admission and retention requirements of Texas Tech; and recipients of the scholarships may pursue degrees in any program in the University.

Alphabetical

Association of Recovery Schools (ARS) (recoveryschools.org)
The Association of Recovery Schools brings together students, secondary and post-secondary schools, and helping professionals to support students in recovery from alcohol or other drug dependence. Their web site provides a list of high schools and colleges dedicated to achieving both academic and recovery goals.

Center for College Alcohol Recovery (cfcar.org)
THE CENTER FOR COLLEGE ALCOHOL RECOVERY (CFCAR) has developed material to assist recovering students and their parents evaluate colleges with recovery programs. CFCAR makes available a list of all colleges that offer recovery programs including contact information, history and structure of each program, current tuition, room & board and other fees. CFCAR also offers guidance in speaking with school administrators by listing questions to ask administrators in order to gain useful information and insight into the type of program that is offered. The cost of the CFCAR program is $75.00.

The HERO House (Higher Education Recovery Option) (theherohouse.org)
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the HERO House is a 12 step based recovery house specifically for individuals in recovery who want to attend college or go back to college while living in a safe and sober environment. Residents must have at least 28 days of sobriety prior to admission to the program and be currently or recently enrolled in a college or university.

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Legal

Issues of discrimination can effect many areas of a recovering addict's life including employment, licensure, housing, confidentiality, medical insurance and more. Becoming familiar with these issues and with one's rights as well as having access to legal assistance if necessary can help to empower the person in recovery.

Legal Action Center (lac.org/programs/alcdrugs.html)
The Legal Action Center (LAC) assists individuals with histories of alcohol or drug dependence on a wide range of issues including discrimination in employment, insurance, public benefits, professional licensure, housing, and zoning; confidentiality issues; and treatment reimbursement.

Through their National Alcohol & Drug Legal Services, Legal Action Center lawyers provide legal advice and assistance to clients around the country.

If your legal problem is not in New York State, call the Legal Action Center at 212 243-1313, Monday to Friday from 1:00pm to 5:00 pm EST and ask to speak with the “attorney on call.” For those in New York State, call the Legal Action Center at (212) 243-1313, Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Individual clients should ask to speak to a paralegal.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (store.health.org/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16968)
Are You in Recovery from Alcohol or Drug Problems? Know Your Rights This brochure was designed to help those in recovery know their rights under Federal laws that protect against discrimination, know the legal consequences of alcohol-and drug-related conduct that can limit their rights, and know what they can do to prevent or remedy violations to their rights and overcome barriers due to current or past drug-or alcohol-related conduct.

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Advocacy

People in recovery face many barriers such as discrimination in student financial aid, health insurance reimbursement, employment and housing. Advocacy resources provide the opportunity to help change government and industry policies and to help educate the general public on the needs, rights and struggles of those in recovery.

Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) (facesandvoicesofrecovery.org)
Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) serves as a resource to recovery communities and organizations in the addiction research, treatment, and prevention fields. It is a national campaign of individuals and organizations joining together to advocate for public and private policies at the local, state and federal levels to help people with recovery and post-recovery issues. These include access to treatment, reversal of policies that discriminate against people in recovery, and removal of the barriers that are raised by the stigma against addiction. For state listings of local recovery advocates, click on facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/about/advocate/index.php

Join Together (jointogether.org)
Join Together supports community-based efforts to reduce, prevent, and treat substance abuse across the nation. The web site includes a section on Hot Issues including:

• Discrimination against people with substance use disorders that restricts their access to education, housing, employment, financial assistance
  
  
• Healthcare and health insurance parity (recognizing addictions as diseases and providing coverage for treating them).

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Volunteering

Many consider the opportunity to do service to be an integral part of the recovery process. In addition to volunteer opportunities provided by addiction recovery groups such as AA and NA, there are national organizations that post volunteer opportunities covering a wide range of interests and skills.

Idealist.Org (idealist.org)
Action without borders
Under Search the site, enter the word Addiction, then click on Volunteer Opportunities.

Volunteers of America (volunteermatch.org)
Under Search Opportunities, enter your zip code, the distance from your home you're willing to travel, and your area of interest. You can select Advanced Search to put in terms such as addiction or substance abuse.

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Last Modified - October 24, 2007