Working In Recovery Archives

THE DREAM THAT BECAME REALITY

‘The founders realized that meaningful work was a key element in rebuilding individual pride, the human spirit and the will to succeed – to find a better life’.

This is actually about two dreams – the hopes and dreams of people everywhere and the dream that started OASIS, for they are interlocked.

Let’s start with Dream #1 – people’s hopes and dreams – they are common to all levels of our society – a good home, good upbringing – good family values and support, a good education…leading to a good career or job; which in turn leads to a good life – marriage, a family, children, happiness…and hope for the future; which starts the cycle all over again – but maybe not for all?

Consider two men – or two women – it doesn’t matter. One grew up with all the ‘perks’ listed above, went to the right schools, got his (or her) ‘ticket punched’, got into a good career, started working their way up, got married, had kids – found a path to the ‘good life’…but then something happened.

Another one – man or woman – doesn’t matter – didn’t ‘have it so good’ – they ‘grew up rough when times were tough’; didn’t get a good education, drifted into jobs when and where they could, bounced around grabbing what they could. Maybe they got into a little trouble along the way – started losing jobs, then couldn’t keep a job…. and the downward spiral towards the street started. Something had happened there too.

Nowadays ‘something’ is usually a combination of alcoholism and drug addiction, leading towards despair, depression, loneliness and even suicide – and the victims are getting younger every day.

Despite all the ‘perks’ – education, career and experience the first one has – both people are in the same boat – and it’s sinking. Of course one has it easier to fight their way back to a better life – if they can.

But doesn’t our second person deserve the same chance – if they really want it – and are willing to DO something about it? At OASIS we think so.

That was Dream #2 – the dream of three men who started OASIS. Ironically, they were more like our Person #1, but they were fighting their way back to a better life and they realized what they were learning about ‘The Way Back’ needed to be shared with others – for the common good of all.

They started a little “Club’ – a safe haven, where people who had troubles in the past – drugs, alcohol, unemployment, homelessness – could go and stay out of trouble. People could relax there, have a cup of coffee, talk to other people like them who knew what they were going through – they’d been there.

And now? Twenty-three years later, the OASIS Addiction Recovery Society still provides post-detox individuals, treatment centre graduates and Twelve Step Fellowship members support – a ‘safe haven’ and sane social interactivity.
And now there’s more – much more. The founders realized that meaningful work was a key element in rebuilding individual pride, the human spirit and the will to succeed – to find a better life.

OASIS now serves about 700 individuals per year. We place about 170 people a year into meaningful full or part-time employment and many members (about 500 per year) participate in casual labour placements that often lead to full time jobs.

These numbers can be increased with the cooperation of society as a whole and the business community in particular, by providing jobs. Employment helps individuals stay clean and sober and re-integrate into society, and this benefits everyone.

Welcome to our journey towards ‘A Better Life for All’.

Kevin Meade

May 17, 2016/by Frank Terzo

WORKING WELL WITH OTHERS

Working In Recovery

Most of us spend more time on average with our working peers than with anyone else, and we don’t necessarily get to pick who they are. If a workplace is to function effectively and efficiently, we all need to work well together in order to get things done. While the majority of us learned as children to “play nice with others”, these are skills that we sometimes lose track of as we get older.

First and foremost, we must learn to pay attention to our colleagues. That means listening carefully to their ideas and opinions and not immediately arguing with them if their ideas are different from ours – be open to the possibility that we might be wrong or their input might be better. We can also share a bit about ourselves and, while our working partners may not be our best friends, it is good to be compassionate and show an interest in what they have to say as well.

We should limit our expectations of others and if we see that they are struggling with a work related problem or issue, work with them to find the solution – in a respectful and helpful manner.

Perhaps the most important thing is what we shouldn’t bring to work – our egos. Grandiosity has no place in team work and can create ill-feelings and resentments.

If we all try to practice these ideals at our place of employment, it is almost guaranteed that the workplace will function better and much more harmoniously.

SC

November 17, 2015/by Frank Terzo

RECOVERY AND EMPLOYMENT GO HAND IN HAND

Working In Recovery

In Toronto, Ontario, we have an effective system for helping addicts and alcoholics achieve recovery.

To help people begin their recovery we have treatment centres, 12 Step programs, counsellors, psychiatrists and psychologists, fitness instructors and medical professionals treating the whole human structure “Body, Mind and Spirit”. These places and people help change people’s addictive behaviours.

What is missing is support for people in recovery returning to work in productive, meaningful careers.

More effort should be directed to helping people in recovery successfully navigate their way successfully into the workplace. Services for helping people in recovery need to place more emphasis and resources in the area of work and career in order to improve their long-term outcomes and help recovering people to succeed and improve the health and economies of our communities. Employers can also take an active role by creating welcoming workplaces for the social good utilizing the resources of recovering people that are actively engaged in positive change for themselves and those around them.

OASIS has been helping people in recovery get back into the workforce for over 20 years.

We are gratified to know that we have helped many people become productive members of the communities they live in, however there is a much greater need in society for these service than is currently available.

Please consider what you can do to help improve the lives of people in recovery and our communities at large.

Recovery and Employment Go Hand in Hand

September 30, 2015/by Frank Terzo

EMPLOYMENT IN SOBRIETY

Working In Recovery

When it came to employment, I was not shall we say “the best” employee. I was always late, I was always missing days, deadlines weren’t met budgets didn’t balance, tills were always short, sales were low, I couldn’t answer a phone or take a comprehensible message. I also had a drinking problem and mental health issues which are quite common among those with addictions.

Because I had such low self-esteem about what I was capable of doing, work became a place of fear and to hide that fear alcohol became a necessity. Eventually, as it does, everything came crashing down and I had hit my bottom. I went to detox and treatment and came out sober. Fortunately something clicked and it stuck with me. It’s important to mention I had the support of friends, family, psychological and physical help and two beautiful kids to stay sober for. What I didn’t have was the courage or the know how to get back to work. I had no real skills to offer and I had no idea how to write a resume or present myself in an interview. I didn’t know where to turn, nothing had been spoken about in treatment, nothing about how to carry on after we’re sober.

At a meeting somebody told me about Oasis. I had never heard of their services even though their office was quite literally 5 minutes away from where I was living. I made my appointment and went in for an assessment, they started me in an employment program. They asked me what kind of work I could do and I told them nothing, I’ve never had a real job and have been fired from most of them. They told me that wasn’t true and started to ask me about cooking, cleaning, raising my kids (volunteering at their school, getting them registered for extracurricular programs etc….), paying my bills, grocery shopping, all things I had done for years but didn’t realize were skills I could use in the workforce. My confidence started growing as I found that there were more and more activities in my life that I could transfer into work related skills. I actually was job worthy.

Oasis’s Employment Team supported me through understanding and education about how to enter the workforce confidently. There are other agencies who offer what Oasis does however Oasis is the only organization who offers this to people with addiction and mental health issues. I was comfortable there and was treated with patience and understanding. I wish I had known about them earlier, I think it’s very important in sobriety to feel a sense of responsibility. I believe the Government needs to ensure that treatment centres (whether they’re private, community or government run) are aware of Oasis and their services.

Employment is vital to sobriety, it gives us confidence, self-esteem and motivation, responsibility and self-worth, it kept me accountable and determined to move forward.

September 30, 2015/by Frank Terzo

AND NOW WHAT?

Working In Recovery

I started my recovery journey 23 years ago in a treatment centre, together with 24 other individuals.

I remember the discussions we had the last few days – there was a mixture of relief that we had successfully completed the program, and fear of an unknown future. Most of us knew that nothing would be the same. We had to start a new life and it was scary.

Many of us lacked the tools to move forward because of our addiction. We had separated ourselves from the labour market, we lacked proper communication skills, we did not have the necessary education, we had no “safe” friends and no “safe” places in which to socialize (except at 12-step meetings).

That was the situation then. Now it is different. Now the newcomer, fresh out of treatment, has a place to go – OASIS.

Oasis can help with some of the needs of the newcomer, offering a safe environment with peer support and a program specifically designed for the individuals in early recovery – the EMPLOYMENT ESSENTIALS PROGRAM

September 30, 2015/by Frank Terzo

WORK IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF RECOVERY

Working In Recovery

Individuals who have issues with a drug and / or alcohol addiction and want to deal with their substance use, have plenty of opportunities to do so both in Toronto and throughout Canada. There are numerous treatment centres (over 50 in Ontario alone); some are funded by various levels of government while others are run privately. 12 Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous etc., together with independent Addictions Counsellors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and support services through hospitals and clinics are also available.

All these services and groups are helpful to the individual as they deal with their emotional and mental health issues. They also provide support in assisting the person stay clean and sober. However, all of them ignore, do not know, or understand the important role work plays in recovery.

Oasis Addiction Recovery Society is the only organization/agency that helps the individual new in recovery from an addiction prepare for return to the workforce.

Somehow, the professionals listed above overlook both the benefits of working in recovery and the effects it has on those who want to stay clean and sober.

Entering or re-entering the workforce bolsters the recovering individual’s self-esteem – it gives them back their dignity. Employment occupies a person’s time, giving them a reason to get up in the morning and become productive, rather than having idle time on their hands, which can often lead to relapse. They learn to be accountable through a work schedule, to communicate with others and this means they do not isolate; egos are dealt with by working as part of a team. Another benefit to working is that the individual has to learn to budget and manage money (a strong trigger for relapse) responsibly.

Work is an integral part of recovery and ought not to be ignored or overlooked by those providing support services (including the government) to individuals who want to remain clean and sober.

September 18, 2015/by Frank Terzo