My boyfriend is trying to find a job and is finding it difficult with his felony record due to his past heroin addiction. He is doing some substatuting with alchol and pills so he's still in active addiction but not anything that would prevent him from being employable.

My fear is that he is going to get discouraged and give up. I know it's not for me to control the outcome, but if he gets depressed I hope that he doesn't go back to heroin.

Does anyone know of any programs that hire people with past records? It's sort of off topic but I thought that maybe there was a program for recovering addicts to help them find jobs and return to a normal lifestyle?

Thanks

he's an alcoholic pill-popping felon, but he's employable.

actually, most employers will not see it that way.

the felon part can be overcome for some jobs, and i agree everyone deserves a second chance, up to a point and following the commission of some crimes, not all.

if he wants his felon past forgiven, he needs to start on a new course, and stop substituting for heroin and instead substitute good clean common sense for his addictive ways, and not drink and pop pills. then, perhaps, he will deserve and be given a second chance.

He's substituting here and there but he's not an alcoholic. He doesn't drink every day, nor does he take pills every day. Which he is prescribed but they are narcotics. It doesn't make it any more acceptable that they are prescribed BUT he won't fail a drug test if asked to take one.

It is a problem and I am being honest about it because he is still in active addiction if he is substituting at all and his rehab does consider drinking and taking a few pains pills from time to time a relapse.

I realize that no employer wants someone high or boozed up on the job. That is by no means what I was stating as employable. Even people that have made mistakes need a job and a way to get back on thier feet.

I was mearly asking if anyone knew a program that was more flexable with previous felons. I appreciate the honesty, but I just thought that seeing as there are rehab facilities and assistance for substance abusers to get well that there might also be a program to get them back to work. Just a simple question, I will try to research it on my own.

hi jkitty
I think your fear of your boyfriend relapsing back into his drug of choice is valid. I am scared I could relapse of the same drug of choice as your b/f, so I protect myself as much as possible. Relapse is a Reality. He is treading in deep water right now with his substitutions so it is no wonder you are asking!!

I wish I could help you more, if you lived in Canada there are non-profit societies, you could,though, phone the jails in NY and ask if they have something similar to The John Howard Society, though I think it would be best if your boyfriend took the steps himself with that one.

Also when he starts looking for work he could come clean with future employer to let them know what his past track record consists of. If he opens himself up with honesty, all good will come to him, if he closes himself up in a secret of his past, things will start shutting down on him. Ask him if his Rehab Counselor would agree! They are looked at as challenges instead of stumbling blocks / major hurdles or barriers. It is all in his perception and his thinking process that will get him positive results.

wishing you 2 well
kadee

one thing he might try is some volunteer work for one of the many non profit agencys around.. it wouldnt be for pay but he could use them as a reference, and that could go a long way.