Sep 27 2024 54 mins
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Kyle Zimmer, the Health and Safety Director for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478. Kyle’s journey into peer recovery work is nothing short of extraordinary, beginning with the tragic power plant explosion in Middletown, Connecticut in 2010. Drawing from his extensive background in fire service and construction safety, Kyle shares the critical lessons learned and parallels between these fields, especially when it comes to addressing stress and mental health in stoic work environments.
Discover how breaking down stigmas around addiction and recovery can transform lives and workplaces. Kyle highlights the groundbreaking efforts of figures like Greg Williams, and organizations such as Facing Addiction, demonstrating how high-level advocacy and peer support can shift public perception and workplace policies. The conversation underscores the urgent need for more peer workers to effectively address addiction, further illuminated by examples of impactful events and meetings with influential leaders.
Finally, we delve into the integration of recovery-friendly practices within workplaces and the broader issue of comprehensive wellness programs. Learn about Jerry, a retired EAP turned licensed drug and alcohol counselor, whose personalized intervention services have revolutionized support for union members. From addressing worker fatigue to advocating for naloxone distribution, Kyle emphasizes the importance of creating a worker-friendly environment that prioritizes overall health and productivity. This episode is a powerful testament to the positive changes that can arise from dedicated advocacy and compassionate support systems.
- Sober Curious Consulting - Brett and Nell's Recovery Friendly Workplace consulting business.
- Dry January Program for Individuals Sign Up Page - discount coupon for $20 off through Dec 18th: startsober25
- Washington Recovery Alliance - building the capacity of the recovery community to advance substance use recovery and mental health wellness by catalyzing public understanding and shaping public policy in Washington State.
- Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit - providing information, tools, and resources to help employers from all sectors—government, for-profit, non-profit, and not-for-profit—effectively prevent and respond to substance misuse in the workforce from the Department of Labor.
- Latest (2022) Data on SUD in the US - from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Link to my favorite PDF for statistics.
- Addiction 101 - it’s not a moral failing—it’s a treatable illness. Get the facts about this misunderstood medical condition from my friends at Shatterproof.