Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
This week’s Toolbox Talk was on helping people through addiction, and I couldn’t help but think of my late father-in-law, Steve.
Steve overcame his addiction by working his sobriety one day at a time for the 26 years before he passed away in 2020. During that period, he had the courage to make the right choice—not just once, but every day.
It took a lot of work, a lot of humility, a lot of making amends, a lot of support from Wendy and his daughters, a lot of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and a lot of bravery to make that choice for sobriety. I’m so thankful that he did.
It was hard. The turning point came at a Salvation Army facility called Miracle Valley, out in Mission. He spent months there, learning to be sober. He took the AA big book, the 12 Steps, to heart, working them every day, attending meetings every week.
I’m grateful he did. He never chose to be addicted; it just happened. But he did choose, a million times, to stay clean and sober. It changed his life, and his family.
That’s Steve’s story. I know he’d be the first to say that not everyone has to, or can, do it how he did. But if you’re struggling out there with addiction, please know there are people who want to help.
Take the first step and please call the 24-hour B.C. Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service toll-free from anywhere in B.C. at 1-800-663-1441.
ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 50 companies and 6,000+ construction professionals, better understand mental health. The program is free for ICBA members — see icba.ca/wellness.