Stop it!

YOU’RE SHUTTING ME OUT. STOP IT!

Hey, I am trying to talk to your organization, and I cannot because I am retired, and do not have a BUSINESS email ADDRESS.

I was trapped in addiction for over four decades, and have been substance free for almost nine years now.

I recently retired from a 36 year career in law enforcement, returned to college and earned a certificate in chemical dependency counseling.

I now work in addiction recovery/peer support in the private sector, offering trusted guidance on how to build therapeutic platforms for organizations as well as individuals, families and friends.

I possess a strong union background and a very clear understanding of the roles of HR, EAP, Peer Support and Chaplain Services, which arose from my own lived experiences on both sides of the disease.

I share my own journey, so that others may find the courage to look at theirs, and give trusted insights when someone is struggling with a substance abuse, and a way out.

I am an Addiction Recovery CONNECTOR/COACH. I assist organizations, their HR professionals, Unions. EAPS and Peer Support systems in developing fresh ideas specific to each group, which may become clauses, contract verbiage, programs and policies, that will be created for addiction recovery, maintenance and aftercare.

During my journey, I have attended over 3,000 addiction recovery meetings - AA, NA, CA, GA and today I work part-time in Peer Support in the private sector.

And public meetings are closed, and trusting someone on a computer screen or phone is difficult to do.

With this COVID 19 pandemic:

A fertile environment for these negatives to flourish and intertwine.

THE PERFECT STORM/ISOLATION EMOTIONS.

i)                    Anxiety, depression, fear, rage, shame, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness.

ii)                  Increased substance abuse, or negative behavioral choices.

And a modern workforce that encompasses three different societies, each with their own stresses and issues.

Baby boomers who are either unable to retire because of financial restraints, or are unsure of what will happen to them after they do leave, especially if most of their social lives included the worksite.

Generation Z who are nearing 40 years old today and they come from a time of recession and have been in debt for most of their lives.

And finally millennials who are in their mid-20’s – who are guided by social media and ‘snack able’ information.

The truth is that an employee who has and addiction and is approached, and goes to a recovery program, graduates, and unfortunately relapses may eventually be a "CONSTRUCTIVE DISMISSAL”, as a result of undue hardship to the organization.

UNFORTUNATELY, along with that termination, there is also a huge experience and working knowledge – that will also walk out the door with the addiction - and that cost along with rehiring will be placed on the organization as well.

Today, I am employed part time, in the private sector – addiction recovery/peer support.

And you won’t let me talk to you.

Because I am retired.

STOP IT!