People in recovery, and people trying to help them, talk about it at Chamber’s annual meeting designed to help employers help, too
Keeneland cook Krystal Grimes talked about her recovery. (Photographs by Sawyer Coffey, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce)
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By Jacqueline Pitts
The Bottom Line, Ky. Chamber of Commerce
Kentuckians who are in recovery from substance-use disorder, and people who are trying to help them, talked about their efforts Tuesday at an annual conference designed to encourage employers to help.
McCarty, who is seven years in active recovery from opioid addiction, said she was among the top five pharmaceutical sales representatives in the country when she had a few surgeries for which she was prescribed opioids for pain. Everything began to fall apart as she developed a dependency on those medications, her performance plummeted, and she even attempted suicide.
Recovery, McCarty said, taught her she could change by being open and transparent, working to build others up, and working on herself and her own struggles.
Grimes said that to understand her addiction, it is important to understand her childhood and the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of family members at a very young age. She was turned away by adults like school counselors, and abusers told her it was her fault. She then tried to take her own life. When she woke up, her first feeling was sadness that the attempt had not worked, and while the abuse stopped at that point, her feelings did not, and she sought out ways to numb the pain.
As she got older, she married a man who also struggled with addiction and they had three children. She was prescribed an opioid after each Caesarean section that made her feel like “Super Mom,” and her tolerance grew. After many years of struggles, Krystal and her husband lost their children and their home and she thought she didn’t think she had anything else to lose. Then she found heroin, and things continued to get worse as she attempted to stop the pain.
Eventually, she started treatment with Suboxone and eventually began attending classes, where she met McCarty, who inspired her to use the medication correctly and start doing the work of recovery.
With Keeneland since 2014, Grimes said the company has seen her struggle, but continues to believe in her and provide stability, support, and much more which she said has been critical to her recovery.
Jason Roop, Director of the Technology Training Center at Campbellsville University, presented research showing that people with substance-use disorder are often goal-oriented, resilient, adaptable, and persistent. He studied characteristics of those in leadership roles who have struggled with addiction and found transformational, authentic leaders are making a powerful difference in the business community and many other sectors.
Isaiah House Treatment Centers President Mike Cox shared their goals for effective treatment, including meaningful employment. Cox said when a business gives an individual in recovery a second chance, a sense of loyalty is automatically created. Isaiah House has partnerships with multiple businesses willing to employ individuals in active recovery.
Ed Early of Isaiah House discussed the critical role of the employer in the recovery process. It begins with reducing stigma in the workplace, he said. Employers should treat those in recovery in the same manner as other staff members: be welcoming, provide education and training, understand how to reward and hold employees accountable, and know when to retain, terminate and advance employees.
“It’s all about the opportunities they are given and the support they are shown,” said Early.
Landmark Recovery National Business Development Manager Zachary Crouch talked about why individuals don’t seek help from employers: “The real reason is stigma.” Crouch said the cost of not treating substance use and mental health is too expensive not to address, since each replacement of an employee costs them six to nine months’ salary. He encouraged businesses to seek ways to engage employees when they are struggling with substance abuse and mental health and to encourage vulnerability, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Representatives of Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, which has developed second-chance policies through removing barriers to employment for individuals in recovery and/or leaving incarceration, talked about new efforts to help individuals overcome re-entry and recovery challenges. One project is a program in which participants can learn soft skills, financial literacy, digital literacy, communications skills, resume writing, mock interviews to address criminal history and gaps in resumes, health and nutrition, and much more. Learn more about the program here.
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| Heather Lowe, founder of Ditched the Drink, shared her testimony as Susan Rider of Preventia Group listened. |
More than 70% of people with addiction issues are working, said Heather Lowe, founder of Ditched the Drink. She said it is critical to have vulnerable conversations, know the signs of a substance-use disorder, and implement successful treatment options in the workplace.
Susan Rider of Preventia Group said studies show businesses that have adopted organizational change around alcohol often report improvements in morale and productivity, and a decrease in absenteeism, accidents, downtime, turnover, and theft. Also, various options for substance use disorder treatment can help lead to reduced health care costs for businesses
As employers heard about the ways addressing substance use disorder in the workplace can save them money, the Kentucky Career Center highlighted its services that can help. Learn more about programs like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, the Kentucky Unemployment Tax Credit, Federal Bonding Programs, and Kentucky Essentials Skills Training by visiting kcc.ky.gov or by emailing Workforce@ky.gov.
Walsh pointed to the rise of illicit fentanyl from China in U.S. markets as a reason that naloxone training and distribution, and a focus on medically-assisted treatment for substance-use disorder, remain critical to helping Kentuckians reach recovery.
While Kentucky is doing many things right, Ingram said, there is bad news as well. His office will soon release a report showing a 40 percent increase in overdose deaths, much of which can be attributed to a rise in the use of fentanyl. To get Kentucky back on track, Ingram said Kentucky must re-evaluate all efforts to ensure the state is saving as many lives as possible.