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.
When we talk about addiction, it’s easy to default to thoughts of drugs and alcohol. And while those are the most well-known of addictions, there are many others that can derail our mental health – gambling, social media, eating, screens, shopping, or video games, to name just a few.
All of these things can be healthy when done in a measured, balanced way. But trip into addiction and they can have very negative effects on our lives.
As our ICBA Wellness learning says this week, “All types of addiction cause similar harms to a person’s social and emotional life, and the lives of those around them.”
How do we know we’re addicted? Consider the four Cs:
- Craving
- loss of Control of amount or frequency of use
- Compulsion to use
- use despite Consequences
Whatever your addiction, there is help. You can call or text 2-1-1 for free and confidential connection to a support service for substance use or addiction, (or, if applicable in your company, you can call your Employee Assistance Program for support as well).
There is help – and hope!
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.
