SIP Launches to Support Employee Recovery and Overcome Addiction Stigma

An initiative has emerged, focused on aiding workers in recovery through a support system enriched by shared experiences. This novel approach combines personal insights with professional guidance, aiming to promote sustained sobriety and reduce stigma.

The Launch of Sobriety Is Possible (SIP)

Union members of UWUA Local 1-2, alongside Con Edison, have introduced the Sobriety Is Possible (SIP) Employee Resource Group. Officially launched in March after two years of meticulous preparation, SIP serves as a peer-driven support network. It is designed to connect recovering employees and their allies within the company, fostering a community that encourages open discussion and mutual learning.

“We already exist — we’re just an untapped resource,” stated Sean O’Hara, the founder of SIP and a Local 1-2 member. “This is about bringing people together so they can learn from each other and see that recovery is possible.”

Origin and Mission of SIP

The concept of SIP originated during the COVID-19 pandemic when usual support channels were disrupted. As these informal networks waned, O’Hara envisioned a sustainable, company-wide system that unites workers who comprehend both the recovery process and the utility industry's demands. The group seeks to provide mentorship and community, bridging the gap often experienced post-treatment by offering a network of colleagues with similar experiences.

“One of the biggest gaps is what happens after treatment,” O’Hara explained. “This helps bridge that gap by connecting people with others who’ve already found success.”

Integrating with Existing Support Structures

Complementing the company's long-established counseling program, SIP offers peer support without replacing professional services. The program, managed by UWUA Local 1-2 members, ensures that employees receive help from those who understand their professional challenges. The two systems work independently, maintaining strict confidentiality and avoiding disciplinary consequences.

Raynaldo Ocasio, a Local 1-2 member and substance abuse counselor, remarked, “As a counseling unit, we provide clinical services and treatment resources. Groups like SIP are beneficial because they offer peer support — people who can relate and provide guidance in a different way.”

Expanding Recovery Resources

Counselors like Sara Buckley emphasize the importance of SIP as a resource for individuals transitioning from treatment or starting their recovery. “It's a great resource,” Buckley noted. “When people come out of treatment, we can connect them with others in the company who are in recovery. That kind of support and networking is critical.”

Buckley highlighted the critical role of peer networks in long-term recovery, maintaining that the most successful recoveries often involve robust support systems.

“The people with the strongest support networks have the best chance at recovery,” she commented. Buckley also noted the importance of keeping SIP separate from the counseling program to ensure voluntary participation and privacy.

Shifting the Narrative

In addition to providing individual support, SIP aims to change the conversation around addiction, making it more open and less stigmatized. “This is about helping people become the best version of themselves,” O’Hara noted. “If we can help even one person find a better path, then it’s worth it.”

As SIP evolves, it exemplifies how peer support and professional services can collaboratively enhance workforce well-being.