Grayson Long took a winding, and sometimes painful, route to his current leadership position. His struggles with addiction started in high school, and he cycled through jobs, jail and treatment. Long had just completed a treatment program when he started working at JHL Constructors, but in his first week he relapsed.
He disclosed the situation to his supervisors. To his surprise, he was offered support through health insurance and a temporary reduced work schedule. “They let me do whatever I needed to succeed,” he said. “But I had to tell them what I needed so they could give it to me.”
Long, now an assistant superintendent at JHL Constructors, shared his story as part of a “lived experience panel” that wrapped up the annual meeting of the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention (CCPDAP) at the Anschutz Health Sciences Building on Oct. 31.
The full-day agenda addressed various topics related to substance use disorders and concluded with the panel, which provided employers with insights on how to better support individuals in recovery.
Understanding the impact
The panel was hosted by David Shapiro, assistant director of programs and partnerships at the· Centers for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health. Other panelists included James (Jim) Schuler, MD, of SUD Consultants; Al Secunda, acquisitions analyst at Mynd; and Diana Aqra, marketing communications manager at Intentional Marketing and Communications.
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Colorado Launches Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative Colorado recently announced funding to establish the Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, aiming to reduce the economic impact of substance use disorders and create supportive work environments for individuals seeking treatment and recovery. The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, based at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Centers for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health are leading these efforts, offering toolkits, guidance and resources to help employers build recovery friendly workplaces. |
Shapiro explained that the goal of the Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative is to expand support for individuals in recovery and certify employers across Colorado as recovery friendly. This includes assessing workplaces, providing training and advising employers on fostering a supportive culture for employees recovering from substance use disorders. He highlighted the prevalence of substance use disorders, noting their broad impact on individuals and communities.
“We know that about one in 12 American adults has a substance use disorder, and those individuals are closely connected to others. So, a large percentage of the U.S. population is affected by substance use disorder, whether that be the individual themselves or their affected friends and family members," Shapiro said.
‘Get curious, not furious’
The panelists shared openly their personal experience with substance use disorders, mental health and recovery.
Schuler was an emergency medicine physician for 20 years. After hitting “rock bottom,” he transformed his life through recovery and now helps others seeking treatment. He emphasized the need for organizations to set policies that support recovery, and encouraged employers to “get curious, not furious.”
Secunda left a career in the performing arts because he said the industry could be unsupportive of those wishing to recover from addiction. After earning an MBA, he transitioned to corporate finance, where he learned to navigate social settings which often included substance use. He discussed the challenges of workplace cultures that promote substance use and the importance of having an advocate.
What employers should know
The panelists discussed the stigma associated with substance use disorder and the importance of normalizing the conversation. They also shared common triggers, including long shift schedules and high-stress work environments. Additionally, a lack of workplace support, inflexible policies and easy access to substances while at work can create significant challenges for those prioritizing their recovery.
Shapiro emphasized that establishing a recovery friendly workplace involves mutual responsibility. He stressed that a culture and policies that foster open communication and participation are essential for any organization to become recovery friendly.
Additionally, Long shared how the support he asked for at work was key to his ongoing recovery.
“My company provided what I needed to succeed, and I became a better employee and wanted to give back. People need to understand that we’re not bad people trying to be good; we’re sick people trying to get well.”
