How to Build a Resume After Addiction Recovery

Re-entering the workforce after treatment can feel like trying to explain a massive “gap” in your life without giving away more than you’re comfortable with. At Casa Leona Recovery Center in Leona Valley, we talk about this transition a lot. Whether you’re staying with us for inpatient care or looking toward sober living, your resume is often the first hurdle that feels personal. But here’s the truth: you aren’t just “filling a gap”; you’ve been doing some of the hardest work of your life.

The Functional Resume: Skills Over Timelines

When it comes to the actual document, we usually suggest a functional or hybrid layout over a strictly chronological one. If you’ve been away for six months or a year, a traditional timeline makes that void stand out. A functional resume, however, puts your skills—like leadership, project management, or technical expertise—front and center. It tells the employer what you can do right now, rather than just where you were on a specific Tuesday three years ago.

Handling the “Gap” with Confidence

The “gap” itself is something many people dread, but you have options. You don’t owe an employer your private medical history. According to Forbes insights on navigating career gaps, framing your time away as a period of intentional growth is key. In 2026, many professionals list that time as a “Personal Sabbatical for Health and Wellness.” Employers are significantly more accustomed to seeing these breaks now. If you did any volunteering while at our Leona Valley facility or during your early outpatient referrals, list those—they show your brain was engaged and active.