S04 | E10 Addiction in the Workplace with Joe Gardzina
- Author
- Lindsay Recknell
- Published
- Fri 22 Apr 2022
- Episode Link
- http://www.mentalhealthforleaders.com/
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 19.7 million American adults (anyone over the age of 12) was battling a substance use disorder in 2017. Imagine how that statistic has changed in the years since, especially as we've navigated our lives through massive transformation and change.
If your organization has any number of people working within it, there's a high likelihood someone is struggling with addiction. Some may be highly functioning, some may be getting the help they need and others may be staying silent in shame, unsure of the steps to take next. Addiction doesn't discriminate and as humans, we need all the compassion and support we can offer each other, especially in our greatest times of need.
This week on the podcast, Joe Gardzina of Brazos Place and Adapt Programs in Texas is sharing how to avoid stigmatizing language when talking about addiction, how to be a supportive organization, and why we should lean on treatment and support rather than rigid consequences for those struggling with substance use.
Conversations are important, as is appropriate treatment and trauma-informed care.
This episode is as real as it gets and is an important one for anyone who leads people, whether you suspect substance use or not. The conversation is compassionate, intelligent and practical - love to hear what you think.
About Joe Gardzina:
Joe began his career in 1993 as a psychiatric technician at a Houston aftercare facility. Mr. Gardzina became an LCDC in 1996. Joe is Board Certified by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals. In addition, he is certified as both an Anger Resolution Counselor and US DOT Substance Abuse Professional. He has served as the program director for substance abuse treatment facilities in Houston, TX, and San Diego, CA.
Before founding ADAPT Programs in 2007, Joe worked for the Right Step in Houston as the Program Coordinator of their inpatient adolescent treatment program. He also was the Director of Programs for Phoenix House in San Diego, CA. In addition, he worked for the United Way for five years, serving as the Associate Executive Director. Joe and his beautiful wife Victoria are the proud parents of one child, William.
Mentioned in This Episode of Mental Health in Minutes:
