People in Recovery

More than 35 million people in the United States are in recovery. As I travel around the country, I’ve seen challenges that I believe are fixable, especially with the right education and support. Addiction is a serious disease, and no one chooses it. For many people, it’s something they manage every day.

Like other chronic conditions, addiction often requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Just as someone with diabetes checks blood sugar or someone in remission stays on top of screenings, recovery can require continued structure, support, and follow-through.

What recovery can look like

When someone enters an inpatient recovery program, standard programs often last about 30 days. By the end of that time, the person has detoxed and learned coping skills to help them move forward. But recovery doesn’t end after 30 days. It becomes a lifelong journey.

Inpatient treatment is a strong start, but the real work is long-term. Many people need IOP (Intensive Outpatient Programs) and benefit from joining a peer support group like AA, NA, or SMART Recovery.

How does this connect to construction?

Construction is a demanding industry. Schedules are early, commutes can be long, and jobsites move. Those realities can make it harder for someone in recovery to stay consistent with support, especially for workers in rural areas or those who travel for work.

I live in New Jersey, where it’s relatively easy to find IOP programs or meetings at almost any time of day. That’s not true everywhere.

If COVID did anything positive, it accelerated virtual support options, and online meetings are widely used in recovery. They help, but people still need real human connection. Just like in our work environment, some meetings can be virtual, but others work best in person.

So the question becomes: what can we do to help?

This is where the people who are not in recovery can make a difference. If we want our teams to succeed, we have to build an environment where success is possible.

Groups like AA, NA, and SMART Recovery have websites and apps that help people find meetings almost anywhere. Here’s a quick fact: many cruise ships offer support meetings onboard every day. If support can be that accessible on vacation, we can work toward making it accessible in everyday life too.

Simple ways to support people in recovery at work

Here are a few practical, low-cost things companies can do:

1. Talk about recovery at work. Normalizing the subject reduces stigma.
2. Post meeting resources. Find meetings near the office or jobsite and post the information where
3. crews will see it.
4. Offer space when possible. If someone is open about their sobriety, consider offering a quiet space for a small group meeting.
5. Support hybrid options. Provide a computer or tablet so a small group can join a virtual meeting together when needed.
6. When you break it down, this isn’t complicated and the cost is low. The impact, however, is huge. A culture shift like this reduces stigma, promotes care, and helps your people stay steady. These are the people who make the work happen. Helping people succeed ultimately helps everyone succeed.
7. When we build a culture that supports recovery, we help make worksites safer overall, which is a goal we should all share.