Can you share a bit about your personal recovery journey and how it has influenced your perspective on workplace wellness?
I have been sober and in recovery going on four years this August. It was getting to the point where my drinking was seriously interfering with not just my personal life, but my professional life as well. When I decided to quit drinking, it was one of the hardest things Iâve ever had to do, but also the most wonderful and fulfilling. A new sense of purpose overwhelmed me.
I didnât attend meetings, but I did decide to become a recovery coach. Going through the program and getting certified opened my eyes. I knew in my heart that I wasnât the only one suffering in silence at work. The company Iâm with has over 150,000 employeesâthere was no way I was the only one! I stepped out of my comfort zone, went to senior leadership with my story, and began figuring out how I could help my fellow colleagues.
How has your recovery impacted your job performance and overall career growth?
Since getting sober, Iâve been promoted twice in 10 months. First, I was promoted to a senior manager, and less than a year later, to a director. Leading a team has been hard, heartwarming, challenging, and fulfilling to a degree I didnât know was possible.
What specific strategies or practices have you implemented at work that help you maintain your recovery while excelling in your role?
Boundaries. Boundaries, empathy, authenticity, and vulnerabilityâthese have all become my best friends, not just at work, but in my personal life too. I have a little “toolbox” filled with tools and learned skills like meditation, breathing, and journaling. These help me push through tough times and remind me of why Iâm sober and in recovery.
Can you share a specific instance where youâve successfully challenged misconceptions about recovery in the workplace?
I started two employee resource groups. One is called Reclaim Your MoxieÂź, which focuses on wellbeing and mental health. That branched out into OARâOracle Alliance for Recoveryâwhich is dedicated to recovery, sobriety, and substance use disorders. We provide resources and host webinars to educate people about addiction. Between the two groups, we now have over 400 members.
What advice would you give to employers looking to support employees in recovery and promote a culture of wellness?
Where do I start? People want to work for a company that cares about them. Providing resources and peer support groups within the organizationâsafe spaces for people to engage, learn, and find resources to help themselves and their familiesâis ridiculously important.
Having leadership that shows empathy, compassion, and an understanding of the resources available to support employees and their families goes a long way. Offer programs that train and teach employees about mental health first aid, addiction awareness, and suicide prevention. We need to start talking about these topics without stigma. When people feel they can bring their authentic selves to work, both they and the company thrive.
