When I was 17 I started injecting herion, I progressed to injecting herion and crack. To fund my habit I broked the law and committed crimes such as shop lifting and credit card fraud. I spent time on remand in prison and was given various fines, conditional discharges and probation orders. My last offence was police assault as I struggled whilst I was being arrested, so this was classed as an assault.
I have not taken any drugs since the 1st Jan 1995. In 1996, I went to college to gain Gcse's and A levels, this led to being accepted to do a university degree. I have studied at university for the past 4 years, and I will finish my degree this summer. This all sounds good, doesn't it? Well I am totally disillusioned. Once you have been an addict and a criminal, NO ONE wants to employ you. I have applied for so many jobs but do not even get invited for an interview.
If you want to work with addicts, which i do as I know I can make a difference, this is classed as working with vulnerable adults and as such you have to fill in an enhanced disclosure form which means they find out about your criminal record. As in my case there is violence and theft, they do not want to know.
If you want to work in any other field which does not require your employer to know about your past, they find out you were an addict as they write to your doctor.
I have sadly found that many charities who aim to break the cycle between crime and addiction and help the addict to have a better life will not even employ me. If anyone has any ideas I will gladly listen.
Wow, I am really sorry to hear about that. I know that there is really not a lot of options that you can do. You sound very smart and determined, keep trying. Those people that are not hiring you are missing out, maybe you just have not found the perfect job yet, it will come to you. Good luck with this, keep fighting.
I can certainly understand where your concerns might be overwhelming - the reality of it all is, however, we no longer have to live in shame or fear. The truth be known, if I can't be honest with an employer about my past and have them accept me for my assets, I have to ask myself if this is really the place I "want" to work - okay, so I may not have the opportunity to be a police officer or some other job that has certain restrictions, but my life today speaks for itself.
I too went the route of education - I recieved my B.A. after 25 years of being out of school, and I am now 2 semesters away from my Master's degree in counseling pyschology. I submit to you that WE ARE employable!
Hang in there - find a passion and forget the sky....reach for the stars!
I too went the route of education - I recieved my B.A. after 25 years of being out of school, and I am now 2 semesters away from my Master's degree in counseling pyschology. I submit to you that WE ARE employable!
Hang in there - find a passion and forget the sky....reach for the stars!
Deborah, you did not mention what your degree is in, but as someone who looks resumes frequently, I can tell you that a lot of your trouble probably has to do with the economy. Some job markets are more competitive than others and in a tight market, practically anyting can be used to rule you out. It is never easy to land the first big job and this economy is not a good one to start in.
My recomendation would be to be honest about the fact that you had some difficulties in the past. As you have already seen, they will eventually find out anyway. I recall that some of the folks in my graduating class had pretty serious records, and while they did not land in the blue chip firms, they did eventually find work.
One last thought: If you absoulutely cannot find a job, consider grad school to wait out the bad economy.
Good luck!
My recomendation would be to be honest about the fact that you had some difficulties in the past. As you have already seen, they will eventually find out anyway. I recall that some of the folks in my graduating class had pretty serious records, and while they did not land in the blue chip firms, they did eventually find work.
One last thought: If you absoulutely cannot find a job, consider grad school to wait out the bad economy.
Good luck!
I would also confront your doctor...he is breaking the confidentiality ( doctor / patient ) if he gives out ANY information without your written consent....
I don't know where you live ..but in Canada after 7 years . you can apply for your record to be wiped clean....can't exactly recall what it is called..but you might want to look into that also...
Good Luck...
DOn't let this crap take you back.....
You have come so very far.....
I don't know where you live ..but in Canada after 7 years . you can apply for your record to be wiped clean....can't exactly recall what it is called..but you might want to look into that also...
Good Luck...
DOn't let this crap take you back.....
You have come so very far.....
You will be among the wounded healers and you will
find your place if you can keep the spirit that keeps
you off drugs. Society is interested in accountability,
not those you may help but the mistake you might
make in your job and their responsibility.I was told
that "it is better to know you are an addict", but that
is not how it really works. Society runs on denial and
an insurance mentality. By now you must figure I
also have issues myself in this concern and you are
correct. All I can say is you are not alone. Expect
charitable organizations, the ones that believe in
rehabilitation, to be among the worst. I stand before
my own beliefs in the pride of what I have myself
accomplished in my recovery. I must be myself or
I will again "slip into the masterpiece" to quote the
poet, Leonard Cohen. Know yourself and you will
find that path you are here to live. May your spirit
guide you to those that truly know.
find your place if you can keep the spirit that keeps
you off drugs. Society is interested in accountability,
not those you may help but the mistake you might
make in your job and their responsibility.I was told
that "it is better to know you are an addict", but that
is not how it really works. Society runs on denial and
an insurance mentality. By now you must figure I
also have issues myself in this concern and you are
correct. All I can say is you are not alone. Expect
charitable organizations, the ones that believe in
rehabilitation, to be among the worst. I stand before
my own beliefs in the pride of what I have myself
accomplished in my recovery. I must be myself or
I will again "slip into the masterpiece" to quote the
poet, Leonard Cohen. Know yourself and you will
find that path you are here to live. May your spirit
guide you to those that truly know.
hello deborahkellyok...
pls keep us updated if you wish
its easy for me to discern from your writing that you are very capable
of providing needed services for others. The surprise is that
'YOU Do Not need another entity to give you a grant to practice
and experience your Wisdom'
spend your valuable but limited energies on opening your OWN business.
start with a smallish storefront, cheap but stylishly comfortable for
your sliding fee patients
you can always make a living if only because the mainstream helpers
overcharge to obscene degrees....you'll see once you get started.
And another pleasantry, since you are the owner and boss of said
establishment, guess who you would submit your resume to....???
thats right! YOU!
dont think this is not possible....there have been literally hundreds of thousands
of ex blah blah blahs...who have gone on to do what they really wanted...in
fact, one of the influences that might result in a criminalish record is the
persons' inner instinct to break out of some kind of mold. they just dont
know how to channel such energies properly for the benefit of society
plus be true to themselves....
Hire Yourself and U got a JOB for LIFE
p.s. thats what i did and ive never looked back
pls keep us updated if you wish
its easy for me to discern from your writing that you are very capable
of providing needed services for others. The surprise is that
'YOU Do Not need another entity to give you a grant to practice
and experience your Wisdom'
spend your valuable but limited energies on opening your OWN business.
start with a smallish storefront, cheap but stylishly comfortable for
your sliding fee patients
you can always make a living if only because the mainstream helpers
overcharge to obscene degrees....you'll see once you get started.
And another pleasantry, since you are the owner and boss of said
establishment, guess who you would submit your resume to....???
thats right! YOU!
dont think this is not possible....there have been literally hundreds of thousands
of ex blah blah blahs...who have gone on to do what they really wanted...in
fact, one of the influences that might result in a criminalish record is the
persons' inner instinct to break out of some kind of mold. they just dont
know how to channel such energies properly for the benefit of society
plus be true to themselves....
Hire Yourself and U got a JOB for LIFE
p.s. thats what i did and ive never looked back
Sorry to hear about your problem. Don't have a clue where you live but in England & Ireland there is a place called 'Novas Ouvertures Group' who are a registered charity, who practically help people with addictions. There web address is www.novas.org They employ some people with records but obviously you must be clean for so many years. Even if you could work there voluntary for a few weeks to get to know the system, then look for a permanent job. Don't give up. They do miracles with people and the opportunites within the company are limitless. I genuinely wish you the best of luck.
I am sorry that you are having such diffic ulty in your life. I have been to inpatient treament centers 8 times, and almost all of the counselors were in recovery,and quite a few had jail and/or prison time too. I beleive this gives that counselor the ability to look at what the person is going through, and have some idea of what it feels like. Have you tried some treatment facilities for employment?
Also, I have to agree with the person that wrote about your DR breakig confidentiality. Unless you signa form listing the people you want your info shared with, they are not to tell anyone anything. This ia seriious matter that could result in a suspension or lossof license.
I wish you you good luck on your cxlean life
Also, I have to agree with the person that wrote about your DR breakig confidentiality. Unless you signa form listing the people you want your info shared with, they are not to tell anyone anything. This ia seriious matter that could result in a suspension or lossof license.
I wish you you good luck on your cxlean life
