Eric Cohen of ACE Pipe spoke at the Midwest Opioid and Stimulant RFW pre-conference, where he shared his heartfelt, personal story of recovery, and discussed the way in which working in a Recovery Friendly Workplace has helped him to maintain his sobriety.
“I used to have a really good job in a great city. Every day, I went to work as a functioning addict, doing my duties just enough to stay out of trouble. But one day, when I went upstairs to the shop, I got thirsty and stopped by the soda machine to get a Coke. As I reached for a dollar, a 1.75-gram bag of meth fell out of my pocket, right in front of my boss. Now, think about this. What would have happened if my boss had only cared about punishing me instead of helping me? I probably wouldn’t be standing here talking to you today. Just for having drugs on property, I could’ve faced legal charges, lost my job, and dealt with a bunch of other problems.”
Eric Cohen of Ace Pipe at Missouri Recovery Friendly Workplace Roundtable
Eric went on to share about his supervisor’s incredible gesture of compassion, and how that gesture changed his entire life:
“But instead, my boss showed me incredible compassion. He picked up the bag of meth, took me to the bathroom, and threw it away. Then he told me to clock out, took me to lunch, drove me off the premises, prayed for me, and finally took me to a place where I could get the help I needed. This unexpected kindness changed my life. He could have fired me, called the cops, or just ignored what happened. Instead, he treated me with dignity and kindness, like I was his brother.”
That day, Eric learned the value of working in a Recovery Friendly Workplace, and the way in which a supportive environment can lead to a workforce that wants to give back. He spoke about the dedication and commitment people in recovery have for their workplaces, and the ways that businesses benefit from their loyalty and work ethic.
“The one person you help will probably be forever grateful to you, both as a person and as an employer. They might even become one of the most reliable employees in your company. Those of us who’ve been through really tough times understand better than anyone just how powerful love and kindness can be. Let’s not forget the influence we each have as individuals and as part of a community. The story I shared today isn’t just about me; it’s about the responsibility we all share towards each other, especially in the workplace where we spend so much of our lives.”
Sharing stories like Eric’s is a magnificent way to help reduce stigma associated with substance use disorder, mental health, and more. If you have someone with a story they’d be willing to share, please visit our Shared Stories page and submit your contact information.
To further help combat stigma, visit our Solving Stigma website and share widely. This website is intended to be for anyone looking to learn more about stigma, and learn ways to combat stigma in their everyday lives.