By Mike Thibideau · Author of Building a Working Life in Recovery · Background and experience
Career guide · October 2026
Where should career planning in addiction recovery start?
Start with the work question you need to answer: what fits your skills, schedule, and commitments now? A job board helps you find openings. Career planning helps you decide which openings deserve your time. Adults in addiction recovery can use both, at any stage; neither replaces treatment or individualized professional advice.
Do you need openings, direction, or individual help?
| Need | A useful starting point | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| See who is hiring | Job boards and employer career pages | A listing cannot decide whether a role fits your life. |
| Compare work options | Career planning, occupation research, and a written comparison | A plan cannot guarantee an offer. |
| Get help with training or a job search | An American Job Center or qualified career professional | Services and eligibility vary. |
| Resolve a treatment or legal question | A qualified clinician or attorney | Compass does not provide clinical or legal advice. |
What can Compass add?
Recovery Career Compass provides structured career reflection and saved planning artifacts for US adults recovering from alcohol or drug addiction, at any duration. Readiness Assessment and Skills Explorer are free after sign-in. Full web access costs $79/year. The book is a separate purchase; an eligible book code reduces the first year to $49, then renews at $79/year.
Use the free tools to name what you already bring and what needs attention. Then check a possible occupation against real duties, entry requirements, and your available hours. You can do that research without purchasing Compass.
Where can you check the facts?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook describes occupations, education requirements, pay, and employment outlook. These are research inputs, not an individual earnings promise.
The US Department of Labor Recovery-Ready Workplace Resource Hub collects information about recovery-ready employment practices. A label alone does not tell you how a particular workplace operates; ask concrete questions about the role and schedule.
What is one useful next step?
Choose one occupation to investigate. Write down the hours, qualifications, and two questions you would ask an employer. Compare what you learn with your current commitments before deciding what to pursue.
For disclosure and workplace-rights questions, start with Your legal floor and the disclosure guide. These pages are educational; seek qualified advice for your situation.