“A look at the alcoholic in your organization is many times illuminating. Is he not usually brilliant, fast-thinking, imaginative and likable? When sober, does he not work hard and have a knack of getting things done? If he had these qualities and did not drink would he be worth retaining? Should he have the same consideration as other ailing employees? Is he worth salvaging? If your decision is yes, whether the reason be humanitarian or business or both, then the following suggestions may be helpful. Can you discard the feeling that you are dealing only with habit, with stubbornness, or a weak will? If this presents difficulty, rereading chapter two and three, where alcoholic sickness is discussed at length might be worthwhile”. –pg.139-140 To Employers from The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
Most of us prior to receiving alcohol addiction help were outright mental defectives. Most of us could barely hold it together for a job let alone life. While our potential was obvious and probably frustrating to most we were either unable to see it or figure out how to reach that potential. When we got/get sober we are finally able to see the things in ourselves that others were able to see all along. Then when you add a drug addiction detox, AA, or 30 day rehab program to the mix we are given the tools needed to not only function but also be a productive member of society, and a worker among workers. We are restored to sanity and Go on to be some of the best employees a company has ever seen.