Addiction in the Workplace
with Richard Matthews

Thursday     September 15 2005   12:15pm - 1:30pm

Addictions have an enormous impact on every aspect of our lives, especially in the workplace where we spend one third of our day.

As people struggle and fail to find meaning, purpose, and significance, alienation and despair drive them towards addictions. In an attempt to fill their inner void, and numb their emotional and psychological pain, they use drugs to create the euphoria of community and belonging. Carl Jung believed that alcohol and drugs were substitutes for authentic spirituality.

Eat lunch, listen and learn as Richard talks about:

— Poverty of Spirit, the alienation and despair that lie at the heart of addictions;
— Building an environment where people have a deep sense of community and belonging;
— Creating a workplace where all people feel significant and that they have meaning and purpose;
— Developing authentic spirituality in every aspect of life.

Location:   Main Floor, Terasen Gas Building (formerly BC Gas) 1111 West Georgia @ Thurlow, Vancouver BC

click here to RSVP

About Richard Matthews

Richard Matthews is an intelligent, humorous and dynamic educator who has worked as an addictions counsellor in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) for the past 10 years.

Richard has worked in the addictions field since 1995 when he was offered a position working with the alcoholics and rice wine drinkers in the DTES.   In 2000 Richard was asked to help found the Magdalene Recovery Society (MRS).  The Society's mission is to help chemically dependent sex trade workers in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

As a counselor, Richard uses the concept of Anam Chara, or Soul Friend, as the guiding principle of therapy. He is dedicated to helping others strip away what is false in their lives so that their authentic self is revealed with all of its inner wisdom.

Richard is a recovered alcoholic and addict who has 23 years of sobriety. Early in recovery he was advised to get a degree in psychology as he had a “knack” for working with alcoholics. He graduated from Simon Fraser University in 1990 with a BA in psychology and pursued a diploma in Pastoral Counseling.

$15.00 Members, $20.00 Non-Members
Includes sandwiches, salad, coffee and tea.

click here to RSVP
phone: 604.685.6560
(Please RSVP by Wednesday September 14th so we can make accurate catering arrangements. Thank you.)

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