Why The Workforce Needs Recovering Addicts | Tori Utley | TEDxZumbroRiver

Tory Utley, Entrepreneur and Executive Director of "More Than an Addict," gives an enlightening talk that sheds light on why recovering addicts really do make the best employees.

[@noellebarr2738]

Recovered 10 yr user. 1 yr clean. Making $40/hr as a dental hygiene practitioner...I was homeless just 4 yrs ago...I walked out of treatment center in 2017 with nothing but a suitcase of belongings ( 6 hours away from my home state) ;being told that I would never get better. She's right, past addicts can solve any problem. Any time. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@OneDayAtATime365]

Hope you're doing well! ✌️🖤✌️

[@sarahhayyyy94]

In my experience as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, I can affirm that this is so right on!! Thank you for this!

[@germanmeza5193]

I got medical leave at my job to go to drug treatment.. in a little over a year i went from a small position of 25k a year to 40k a year in the same company. They knew my problem, and gave me a chance because i asked for help. Im an asset and valuble member of my team. And they all know i went from homless junkie to a productive member of society. Because they gave me that chance just like you said.

[@revfunk8823]

as a recovering addict, I thank you 🖒👏

[@revfunk8823]

those 4 down votes clearly don't understand the disease of addiction 😉

[@OneDayAtATime365]

@@revfunk8823 That's there resentments. Proud of you! We often feel alone, but there are so many of us.✊️

[@ProCoExist]

I have watched countless Ted talks on recovery and addiction.. Your talk was like none of the others, in the best way possible. Thank you so so much, as an addict in early recovery, your passion and your compassion are loud and clear.. I felt moved... Validated... as I listened to you speak so so encouragingly about 'Us' ♡♡♡ Thank you. You are Spot on with everything you've shared! Thank you♡

[@embracethesuck117]

This is absolutely an idea worth spreading.

[@annespencer1856]

I’m a 3yr recovery addict, who is now about to start my first job in 10yrs. I’m very scared and nervous about starting over. I hit bottom and lost everything. I had my own hair salon in a small town and now I’m going to work for a salon in a big city. I’m nervous about not being good enough. Thanks for the talk and encouragement! ❤️

[@jackstem475]

Anne Spencer, I hope you have discovered in the 7 months since you posted, that you ARE good enough!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@annespencer1856]

@@jackstem475 Thanks for the encouragement! I haven’t found the confidence that I once had. I guess my self esteem is low. I’m trying my best with a positive attitude. I desperately try not to dwell on the thinking I can’t change. It’s hard, but life goes on. And life is a precious thing. I’m very blessed that I had a second chance. Wish you well. Thanks for caring! 🥰

[@ttamn92]

As an addict myself that's been in and out of soberity I used to think people couldn't really REALLY change and when things got real and things got hard everyone goes back to their default state and in my experience with addicts that's using... until I saw the changes in my best friend..her and I are the only ones still alive from our whole group of friends all lost to addiction... but seeing the real change that she made and seeing the life she lives now has shown me that people really can change and stay changed....

[@phyllisjackson1697]

I am in recovery worked real hard. I lived in Boston worked in the field for 6 years. Moved to NC and trying to work in the field in VA. They run my cori and can't get a job, I am honest about my past and they won't even give me a chance. It is sad how that stigma stays on you.

[@cocojumbo5452]

people only see the addiction but don't ever see what the addiction is hiding, even the person who is addicted doesn't even see what they're covering up until they're ready to face it.

[@JETJOOBOY]

Most people become addicts because they have that X quality. The one that doesn't sit nicely in the corporate world, the one that makes comppacemt people very uncomfortable? They then get bullied and told to shut up and stop "rocking the boat", that is when reclusion and seperation occurs! I believe the factor is called 'Honesty'! It has no place in the business world....

[@danab333]

AMEN!!!!!! TORI I LOVE U THANK U SOOOOOO SOOOOO MUCH

[@pennypulz9356]

we are a scrappy bunch that's seen death and said, 'not so fast' then goes after life with gusto.

[@punkybruiser81rokks51]

I totally agree!. I love this talk.

[@laurarivera2714]

I need someone like you because I am you right now

[@ashleymurgatroy5303]

Right on!!!

[@ronanths10]

THANKS!!!!!!

[@punkybruiser81rokks51]

Tory Utley~ Thank you! I am at a place where I need a break. Please Yeshua...please. I'm an overcomer. Please let your will be done. You know best...

[@jasonengland7031]

this is an amazing story. I myself have transformed from addiction to now entering grad school. if there is a way to get hold of you I would like to find out and see if there is something I could do with your company in a volunteer type way that may help.

[@leeparker2294]

I was given the title of FELON 4 years ago, I can't get a job, I'm viewed as a guilty conspiring to sell felon. I was an addict, I WAS an addict, I've been clean for 4 years, but the title still remains because companies will not hire me, I have no money. So no money, no attorney, it's an endless circle of struggle

[@sapphirefranks5382]

I’m sorry you’ve had to struggle so badly just for getting better I can only imagine how hard that is being labeled as something you’re not. Something you’ve worked so hard not to be associated with or tied to anymore. Just to be rejected time & time again. I hope things have started to look up for you. Wishing you the best of luck in your journey don’t give up that’s what society wants from recovering addicts so they can prove addicts are hopeless. You aren’t hopeless. Eventually things have to look up my dear. Don’t let society win.

[@lowdown4651]

She's good been there done that hat on order , but my resourcefulness can be very very deceiving be careful i am clean & sober

[@mohamedbobbo]

nice

[@sandrageary1061]

Thank you! Why hasn't the term "addiction survivors" caught on? Perfect! @RecoveryRebelAtWork

[@michaell8747]

I'm glad there are more and more programs that help, but im not sure how i feel about addicts and family members always try a way to start a business and make money of it. If your offering free programs for addicts which is what we really need is one thing but charging a fee or not accepting people without insurance just seems like an addicts way of trying to hustle

[@zacharyb8757]

like everyone else doesnt do it too, okay sure

[@welshwitch2024]

👏🥰🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@icontrolthespice]

first

[@linahh.2020]

First

[@icontrolthespice]

I beat you

[@linahh.2020]

I couldn't think of a cool username nope I was first

[@icontrolthespice]

Lol no u weren't pls check

[@JETJOOBOY]

I know why recovering adddicts make the BEST employees! Because when you realise you have screwed up your taxation and employees tax returns, you can just make up a load of unfounded accusations of theft and impropriety and blame everything onto the without losing any reputation!

[@germanmeza5193]

Thanks for the added stigma buddy.

[@deathbeforedishonour]

main reason: They know where to get quality drugs