Recession may make job search for recovering addicts more difficult

A rocky economy may make the job search more difficult for individuals with a rocky past.

Nearly 40 men and women graduated from the Inland Valley Recovery Services drug and alcohol treatment program Wednesday.

Many of which will now attempt to re-enter the workforce.

"Of course now with the economy with the way it is there are not very many jobs out there to be had and there's a lot of applicants," said Stacy Smith, executive director of Inland Valley Recovery Services in Upland.

When clients are ready to start hunting for a job, they work with program counselors to get their resume, interview skills and clothing prepared.

"It's terrible and my heart breaks for them because they go on job searches, some have skills they had prior to addiction, some have skills they got while in addiction and many do not, so they are having a difficult time," she said. "They are searching and searching and searching. We don't offer employment, but it would be wonderful if we could partner with a couple of businesses in the area that could take one or two interns a year and help place those people in employment."

The clients are taught anonymity through alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous and do not have to share their addiction history with potential employers, Smith said.

"They can say if they feel it's important for the job, but it's not something they have to disclose," Smith said. "They learn that from alcoholics anonymous. When they put the 12 steps together years ago that was their premise and it still holds true."

However some clients have symbols of their past on their bodies, which can be seen by interviewers.

"Some of the graduates have a lot of tattoos," Smith said. "There are programs that remove the tattoos for them but some have tattoos on their face and neck, so they have a more difficult time."

Inland Valley Recovery Services locations and contact information:

The administrative headquarters is located at 916 N. Mountain Avenue, Suite A in Upland. They can be contacted at (909) 932-1069.

The recovery center for outpatient services is located at 934 N. Mountain Avenue, Suites A and B in Upland. They can be reached at (909) 949-4667.

The Pomona recovery center out patient services is located at 375 South Main Street, Suite 111 in Pomona. They can be contacted at (909) 622-7311.