Now that you have overcome the almost insurmountable challenge of getting clean, the next step is to finally start living life. If you have gone to jail for drug possession or if you have committed a crime as a result of your drug usage, you might find it difficult to find a job or obtain state or federal assistance. But there is a way out. There are job opportunities available to former drug users and you will be able to stay clean. However, you will have to work harder than those who do not have a criminal background and it will be difficult to receive a promotion. However, there are plenty of opportunities that help you obtain valuable work experience and pay bills.

Fighting the Threat of a Relapse

Motivation can be very difficult, especially when many of the opportunities for ex inmates might pay minimum wage or lack advancement opportunities. You will want to slowly build a social support network of people who are not currently addicted to drugs. Former drug addicts who have become sober and ex-inmates will know what you are going through and will be able to provide you with emotional support. They also help you find job opportunities you may not have been aware of. You might also find it helpful to participate in a support group. If you relapse, you will first begin having negative thoughts about yourself, your progress and your life. You will need to challenge these thoughts. While returning to an addiction may be tempting, it will only take you longer to restart your life. When you have a negative thought, you should realize that the negative thought is not usually realistic and you should try to think of the positive aspects of a situation.

Finding a Job

Eventually, ten years will pass and you will not have to list that you went to prison on your job application. Before that time, you will have to list your jail time on your job application, unless the application does not require that you list this information. If the omission is later discovered, you risk being fired or even get in trouble for fraud. Luckily, there are some jobs that do not ask whether you have been convicted of a crime. Also, you have the option of starting your own business. While this might seem overwhelming when you do not have a lot of savings, there are many self-employment opportunities that do not cost money or only cost a minimal amount. If you fail to get the job you want, try not to take it personally. There are many reasons why people do not get the job they want and it is important to remember that it is a numbers game. The more places you apply to, the more likely that you will get hired.

Companies and Services for Ex-Offenders

You might wish to visit the Impact Services website, which offers Re-entry services for ex-offenders. This program works to place ex-offenders in jobs. Goodwill also provides a program designed to help ex-inmates reintegrate into society by providing employment readiness training and job placement assistance. Several well-known companies are known for hiring felons, including Ace Hardware, American Airlines, Allstate Insurance, American Express, American Greetings, Apple, AT&T, Bally, Baskin-Robbins, Best Western, Campbell Soup Company, Calvin Klein, Canon, Dell, Denny's, Dupont, Exxon Mobil, Duracel, Federal Express, Frito-Lay, Fruit of the Loom, General Mills, Hanes, IBM, Kmart, McDonalds, Motorola, PepsiCo, Sears, Sony, Target, United Airlines, Verizon Wireless, Walgreens, Wal-Mart and Xerox. What these companies have in common is that they are all successful and have become household names. There are many people on your side you want to see you succeed and there is a much better life ahead for you.