How I Removed The 'ADDICT' Label

Yesterday, I had the honour of being a guest on Hishem Azzouz's "The Recruitment Mentors Podcast." For me, it felt like coming home after 8 years in the recruitment ecosystem; 4 as a recruiter and 4 in financial services selling to recruiters.

During the recording, Hishem threw a poignant question my way: "What advice do you have for recruiters entangled in addiction?" My response was deeply rooted in my own experiences.

The first shift I made was linguistic but powerful. I stopped using the limiting phrase, "I am an addict."

This label was not just a word but a chain. It bound me to a life I no longer wanted.

Instead, I adopted a new phrase: "I have an addiction." or “I am experiencing addiction.”

It might seem like a small shift, but it disconnected the addiction from my identity. I could finally separate 'Dan' from 'addict.'

Why was this key? Because it enabled me to focus on the real battle; the emotional pain, the stress, the life conditions that were the real root of my addiction.

What about workplace judgment? Yes, it was a concern. But I navigated this by finding safe and confidential channels to share my struggles and seek help. The path to freedom became my own sacred journey.

To anyone struggling right now, hear this:

• You're not a label.

• You're not unchangeable.

• You're a work in progress.

For those interested in diving into this more, check out the upcoming episode in November on Spotify: The Recruitment Mentors Podcast.

I took the first step towards change, and I promise you, your rewarding, addiction-free life is not just a pipe dream.

It's attainable, and it's worth every effort.

Sending love to your corner of the universe.

Dan