Article updated: 12/19/2011 1:18 PM

Off drugs and out of work in the suburbs

Finding a job a difficult hurdle for recovering addicts

Buy this photo Buy this photo
next prev 2 of 2
   

Serenity House counselor and Recovery Home Program Manager Donna Foyle talks with a resident and recovering heroin addict at the Addison facility. Serenity House helps people restart their lives after battling drug addiction.

Mark Black | Staff Photographer

Gallery Image

Serenity House counselor and Recovery Home Program Manager Donna Foyle talks with a resident and recovering heroin addict at the Addison facility. Serenity House helps people restart their lives after drug addiction.

Mark Black | Staff Photographer

About this Article

If a heroin addict can get clean -- and that's a big "if" -- then there are so many obstacles in front of them that prevent them from succeeding. "No one wants to hire an addict," as recovering heroin addict Justin Pearlman of St. Charles put it. He's had to prove himself at minimum wage jobs until his father agreed to hire him at his company, and he feels he's lucky to have the opportunity that most addicts don't get.

Related Content

Daily Herald website garners top Illinois honors