Return to Work

Tuesday was the first day back at work. Six months off from work to deal with my legal and alcohol issues. After four months, I went down to half pay. Thankfully I have savings to get me through that half pay issues. But it's going to be nice have a full pay check again.

I was nervous about returning. Before, my anxieties were about the conditions that were going to be put on me. Next crisis was the return to work.

I made it ok. I had to report to medical and give a breath and urine sample. Then they released me to work.

The whole day was bringing up my certifications online. Also I had to make sure I had all my passwords reset and access to all my computers and programs I need to work.

No one made a big deal about me returning except one guy. He talked aloud about how I know how to work the system and get a good vacation. It was harmless banter. I think it made my coworkers who know my situation more nervous than me.

I filled out my vacation days in order to attend football games on the days I work. I also put in for the day off when I have the first meeting with the aftercare counselor. I have to work that day and couldn't finagle it to get transportation to and from work. So my work around is just take the whole day off. These meetings with the counselor are of utmost importance. To miss one is a major violation of the contract. I plan to schedule them on my off days or night shifts. My supervisor says she'll work with me on it too. But I haven't informed them that I have a suspended license so leaving and coming back to work isn't an option.

My supervisor talked to me while we were at work. First, she wanted me to know my confidentiality is of utmost importance. Second, if I need to talk to her about any issues that her door is open. She wants me to succeed. Anything she can do to help for me not to be afraid to ask. And that if anyone at work gives me problems about asking why I was off, just to tell them I don't want to talk about it. If they give me problems, then talk to her. She wants me to be comfortable in returning to work.

So, it's going to be a while where I can feel completely comfortable at work. Get into the swing of working rotation shifts again. Going to see who I can approach about picking me up on the shifts I don't work. It will all work out. I'm not worried. I just need to have faith in my friends.

I need to work on getting an occupational license too. My lawyer hasn't returned my calls for the last three weeks. It's pissing me off. I paid him good money and I figured he'd want the repeat business. I can't wait any longer though. I need to move on and see if I can get one or not. It would go a long way to helping make my life a lot easier. No I won't be able to run around all over creation but I'll drive to work, the grocery store and be able to at least eat at restaurants along the way to the stores. That's something to break the monotony of just working and AA meetings. Anything helps.