Can you share a bit about your personal recovery journey and how it has influenced your perspective on workplace wellness?
I have been sober and in recovery going on four years this August. It was getting to the point where my drinking was seriously interfering with not just my personal life, but my professional life as well. When I decided to quit drinking, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but also the most wonderful and fulfilling. A new sense of purpose overwhelmed me.
I didn’t attend meetings, but I did decide to become a recovery coach. Going through the program and getting certified opened my eyes. I knew in my heart that I wasn’t the only one suffering in silence at work. The company I’m with has over 150,000 employees—there was no way I was the only one! I stepped out of my comfort zone, went to senior leadership with my story, and began figuring out how I could help my fellow colleagues.
Since getting sober, I’ve been promoted twice in 10 months. First, I was promoted to a senior manager, and less than a year later, to a director. Leading a team has been hard, heartwarming, challenging, and fulfilling to a degree I didn’t know was possible.
What specific strategies or practices have you implemented at work that help you maintain your recovery while excelling in your role?
Boundaries. Boundaries, empathy, authenticity, and vulnerability—these have all become my best friends, not just at work, but in my personal life too. I have a little “toolbox” filled with tools and learned skills like meditation, breathing, and journaling. These help me push through tough times and remind me of why I’m sober and in recovery.
Can you share a specific instance where you’ve successfully challenged misconceptions about recovery in the workplace?
I started two employee resource groups. One is called Reclaim Your Moxie®, which focuses on wellbeing and mental health. That branched out into OAR—Oracle Alliance for Recovery—which is dedicated to recovery, sobriety, and substance use disorders. We provide resources and host webinars to educate people about addiction. Between the two groups, we now have over 400 members.
Where do I start? People want to work for a company that cares about them. Providing resources and peer support groups within the organization—safe spaces for people to engage, learn, and find resources to help themselves and their families—is ridiculously important.
Having leadership that shows empathy, compassion, and an understanding of the resources available to support employees and their families goes a long way. Offer programs that train and teach employees about mental health first aid, addiction awareness, and suicide prevention. We need to start talking about these topics without stigma. When people feel they can bring their authentic selves to work, both they and the company thrive.
Dana Wentzel Piscopo, Director of Global Sales Operations at Oracle, shares her personal recovery journey and how it has shaped her approach to workplace wellness. Dana’s commitment to sobriety has not only transformed her own life but also sparked initiatives within her company to support colleagues facing similar challenges. Her insights offer a roadmap for creating supportive environments where employees can thrive.
