Working wth Addicts

Running a company with a staff of addicts and alcoholics can be a delicate balancing act. On one hand many substance abusers are energetic and creative. Some have good educations and backgrounds.   Others have long criminal histories and have spent years locked up for mostly drug related crimes.

When these diverse personalities work together in the same office or on the same job there are often communication or personality issues.  While many organizations have similar issues they normally don’t have the veneer of addiction that can complicate everything.

We once had a so-called “normal” person – someone not in recovery - doing consulting work for us. He was amazed, when in the middle of a pressing project, we stopped work and had a group session to deal with an addict who was showing behavior that might have led to relapse. After group we reminded him that our corporate mission is help recovering substance abusers rebuild their lives – even if it means shutting down work for an hour or so.

One of our more difficult challenges might be figuring out when an addict is having serious issues – versus simply being lazy or manipulative. However, these situations usually sort themselves out in time.

Whatever we deal with, the reality is that we couldn’t afford to operate TLC if it weren’t for those in recovery who help us run the company while they’re trying to rebuild their lives.

And while we offer no benefits or retirement, those who stick around get something other jobs don’t offer: they have the chance to escape a life of bondage to drugs or alcohol.