Phenomenological inquiry on post-rehab employment experiences of residential graduates

The reintegration of individuals recovering from SUD into the workforce remains a significant challenge due to societal stigma. Given the challenges they need to encounter, a deeper exploration of post-rehabilitation employment experiences is necessary to address existing gaps in the literature and promote inclusive workforce policies. This study employs an interpretative phenomenological approach to explore the post-rehabilitation employment experiences of residential graduates in the Philippines. Using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with five employed male residential graduates, the research investigates their journey towards reemployment, the barriers they encountered, and the meaning they attribute to their work experiences. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method and the findings reveal that participants faced considerable skepticism in seeking employment due to self-doubt and fear of prejudice. Many struggled with disclosing their rehabilitation history, fearing discrimination and potential job loss. Additionally, triggers in the workplace and financial independence posed risks for relapses. Despite these challenges, various themes of triumph were identified that further solidify their post-rehab employment experiences — themes of resilience, personal growth, and social reintegration. Participants reported that employment served as a crucial factor in maintaining their recovery, providing a renewed sense of purpose, self-worth, and validation. Moreover, the ability to contribute meaningfully to society and gain the trust of colleagues played a transformative role in their rehabilitation journey. The study recommends the implementation of targeted employment support programs for recovering individuals, including workplace stigma reduction, employer education on rehabilitation stories, and access to support systems to ensure sustained employment and recovery.

Mr. Joshua Q. Cadayona obtained his undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Cavite State University, while currently finishing his graduate studies at De La Salle University–Dasmariñas under the program Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology. Mr. Cadayona has been working as a college instructor for more than 5 years and has been educating students currently at National University–Dasmariñas. He also shows interest in research, particularly in clinical psychology and had one published study regarding alcohol use disorder tendency.