The Research
Documenting the Science Behind Recovery-Friendly Leadership.
Background & Motivation
During the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of problematic substance use rose significantly, creating new challenges for employees in recovery, the leaders who support them, and the organizations that employ them. After navigating his own difficulties in balancing sobriety and work, RFL’s founder, Dr. John Narine, CEAP, CPFS, recognized a critical need for effective leadership strategies to address these workplace issues. In 2021, he conducted a qualitative phenomenological study to explore how leaders can help employees experiencing a “relapse” or recurrence of substance use while maintaining a productive, viable business.
Purpose of the Study
Titled Leadership Strategies to Prevent Employee Substance Abuse Relapse and Optimize Business Viability, this research aimed to:
- Understand the needs of employees struggling with addiction during a crisis
- Develop strategies to reduce the recurrence of use rates amongst employees in the workplace
- Ensure ongoing business viability and productivity
Conceptual Framework
The research was grounded in two key concepts:
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – to understand and address the needs of employees and individuals in recovery
- Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence – to ensure capable, effective leadership
Methods and Findings
Literature Review
A comprehensive review of current literature was conducted, assessing the scope of substance use challenges not only in Colorado, but across the United States.
Leader Interviews
Leaders who supervised at least one employee experiencing a recurrence of use were selected. Through in-depth interviews, these leaders shared real-world strategies they implemented—successful or otherwise.
Analysis & Results
By coding and analyzing the interview data, four major themes and four subthemes were identified as particularly effective in supporting employees and protecting the organization’s bottom line.
Leading Workplace Addiction
These findings form the basis of Dr. Narine’s book, Leading Workplace Addiction, which now serves as the core foundation for the RFL Training Program. You can purchase a copy on Amazon here. All proceeds from book sales are donated directly to the RFL Program.
Ongoing Collaboration
Building on this research, we have partnered closely with:
- The Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative™
- Several local, state, and nationwide organizations
Together, we continuously assess what organizational leaders need and what employees in recovery experience day-to-day. Their lived experience and insights shape the approach and delivery of our program, ensuring it remains practical, relevant, and impactful for today’s workplaces.
Publications
At Recovery Friendly Leader™, we believe research informs action. Below is a collection of peer-reviewed articles, books, collaborative works, and other publications that our team has authored or contributed to over the years—demonstrating our ongoing commitment to advancing recovery-friendly leadership.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Narine, J., & Lizerbram, R. (2025). Strengthening leadership to support employee recovery: A pilot evaluation of the Recovery Friendly Leader training program. Workplace Health & Safety.
Books
Narine, J. (2022). Leading Workplace Addiction. Xulon Press.
Collaborative Works
The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, & Narine, J. (2022). The Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Toolkit.
https://corxconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/Colorado-Recovery-Friendly-Workplace-Toolkit-2022.pdf
Other Publications
Narine, J. (2021). Leadership strategies to prevent employee substance abuse relapse and optimize business viability [Dissertation].
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We are a mission-driven organization empowering leaders with recovery based solutions for businesses to thrive. A Project of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, operating as a 501(c)(3).
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