Dr Bunmi Aboaba and David Steward co-founders of The Sober Advantage, are today launching their first online course and support system for people within the Oil and Gas and Energy (Construction) industries who are struggling to give up alcohol and/or drugs and wanting to achieve a life free from addiction.
Many alcoholics and addicts don’t want to join a group and share their stories – they want privacy and to be able to work at overcoming their addiction in the comfort of their home own. Although the traditional 12-step programme works brilliantly for some people – it’s not for everyone. After all, we’re all different.
The eight-week ‘Kick Start Sobriety’ course is based on Bunmi’s own experience of overcoming addiction, and David’s 10+ years in the Oil and Gas and Construction industry.
Matthew Bryza, former U.S Ambassador to Azerbaijan; CEO Lamor Turkey; Turcas Petrol board member and Nobel Oil E&P board member, said, “I have spent the past 20 years of my career working with or within the energy sector, first as a U.S. diplomat and now as a private businessman. Unfortunately, I have witnessed many cases in which isolated working conditions or extensive international travel have driven people within the energy sector toward substance abuse and depression. Additional drivers can be the intense competition and pressure to perform, whether physically at the wellhead or intellectually in the office and boardroom. A program like that of The Sober Advantage can play a key role in re-grounding these valued employees, making them happier and more productive.”
Bunmi employs a variety of techniques to help her clients, all of which she has used herself to help her gain her sobriety and remain sober for 10 years. See: www.thesoberadvantage.com
David Steward is a world-renowned technical recruitment expert in the Energy sector specialising in Oil & Gas, Power Generation and Petrochemical projects worldwide, predominantly in the Construction phase. He has supported projects in every corner of the globe and is trusted by industry giants such as The Linde Group and the Mitsubishi Corporation.
David has witnessed first-hand the impact the demands of the industry has on its workers’ mental health; high pressured environment, tight deadlines, the transient nature of the workforce/work and long periods of time away from home, friends and family.
David said, “The ‘Kick Start Sobriety’ course is specifically designed to help those who are unable to commit to being in one location for a fixed period of time to regularly attend a weekly recovery course. This course can be worked on privately whether travelling or at your accommodation – thus ensuring continuity”.
The course covers both the mental and physical aspects of addiction including:
- Motivational techniques to keep you on track as you embark on what will, undoubtedly, be a challenging journey
- Nutritional and cellular mapping to allow appropriate nutritional adjustments to aid a healthy recovery
- Energy Management techniques to help reduce stress and allow you to continue with your day-to-day life while at the same time beating your addiction
- Craving control techniques – you will crave the substance you are addicted to, and these techniques will help you to curb those cravings and not allow them to get the better of you
- Getting rid of negative thoughts – this is an important part of the process as many addictions stem from, and/or cause a cycle of negative, self-loathing thoughts
- Managing expected and unexpected situations that may lead to relapse – for example how to deal with social situations or a special event where everyone else is drinking, or how to deal with a traumatic situation where the ‘easy’ solution would be to reach for the substance that takes your mind off it
- Dealing with sudden crisis – what do you do if you really feel you can’t stay ‘on the wagon’? What if it all gets too much?
- Ways of breaking routine – often an addiction is embedded in your routine; for example, you always have a glass of wine when you get in from work. Breaking your routine can help to break the addiction, so how do you do this and still maintain the responsibilities in your life (work, family, etc.)
At the end of the eight weeks you will:
- Have freedom from addiction
- Feel comfortable in your own skin
- Be running towards life with open arms instead of running away from it
- Have more vitality and energy
- Become excited about the simpler things in life
- Have improved relationships – both personal and professional
- Feel healthier and be healthier
- Have increased resilience
- Feel a passion for life again
- Have increased self esteem
Kick Start Sobriety also includes full email support from Dr. Aboaba and her team.
Eytan Alexander, founder of UK Addiction Treatment Centres (UKAT, www.ukat.co.uk) the UK’s leading private rehabilitation firm says: “The Sober Advantage 8 week online course is designed to help those who sometimes, unfortunately, slip into drug and alcohol dependency whilst working away from home. Isolation can be a trigger of addiction, and this online course could really help those who take part feel like they’re not on their own.”
Michael Thomas, who was the EPC Health & Safety Manager responsible for delivering Europe’s largest gas fired power station, the £1bln Pembroke CCPP said, “The 8 week online course provided by The Sober Advantage is welcomed in our industry where research has shown people find it difficult to open up about their struggles with substance dependency / addiction. In many cases, I’ve seen people simply removed from site after failing a drug and alcohol test rather than being offered support by their employer. I hope they can learn something from The Sober Advantage and follow suit placing worker’s health and mental wellbeing high up on their priority list.”
