Addiction Treatment for Ironworkers Union Members
Ironworkers are some of the toughest workers on the jobsite—often facing heights, danger, and pressure most people can’t imagine. With that comes a culture of pushing through pain, staying quiet, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done. For some, that’s where alcohol, pills, or other substances quietly take over.
At Sober Partners, we offer confidential addiction treatment designed with Ironworkers Union members in mind, with direct input from a retired Ironworker on our staff.
We Know the Hall & the Trade
Our retired Ironworker team member:
- Spent years on the iron
- Understands travel, out-of-town jobs, and irregular schedules
- Knows what it means to stay in good standing with the hall
- Knows how hard it is to admit you’re not okay
He’s available to talk with:
- You
- Your family
- Your union rep or EAP/MAP contact (with your permission)
This gives you a direct line to someone who can bridge the gap between “old-school ironworker toughness” and “I need help before this kills me.”
Why Ironworkers Choose Sober Partners Over Generic Rehabs
Most treatment centers have zero understanding of union life. They don’t know what a hall is, they don’t know how trust funds work, and they definitely don’t have retired tradespeople on staff who can speak your language.
Here’s what makes us different:
- Retired Ironworker on staff who acts as a liaison between you, the program, and your union/EAP
- We specialize in benefits navigation (EAP/MAP, FMLA, STD, trust funds)—we don’t just “accept insurance,” we actively help you maximize coverage
- 90-day plans available (when benefits allow) instead of the industry-standard 30-day churn
- Coastal setting with real space—not a hospital ward or crowded sober house
- Return-to-work planning built into treatment, so you’re not just “dried out” when you leave
Talk to a retired Ironworker on our staff—someone who’s been on the iron and knows what you’re up against.
What Treatment Looks Like for Ironworkers
You won’t be treated like a number or just a diagnosis. You’ll be treated like a skilled tradesperson who’s been carrying too much for too long.
Your treatment may include:
- Detox (if needed) in a licensed detox house with medical supervision
- Residential treatment in a licensed home near the coast—not a warehouse or hospital ward
- Therapy that addresses:
- Work-related trauma and injuries
- Pain management and medication use
- Anger, stress, and family strain
- Guilt and shame about mistakes on and off the job
You’ll also have the option (when appropriate) to stay longer and build a 90-day plan that uses Men’s Empowerment and executive lodging to strengthen your recovery before you go back to work.
Respect, Not Pity
You’ve done hard, dangerous work to build bridges, structures, and skylines. We’re not here to criticize that. We’re here to help you recover your edge, your health, and your clarity so you don’t lose everything you’ve built.
You’ll be surrounded by people who:
- Tell you the truth without disrespecting you
- Hold you accountable without shaming you
- Help you build a plan instead of just “hoping for the best”
Next Steps for Ironworkers
If you’re an Ironworkers Union member—or someone who loves one—your next step is simple:
- Make a confidential call.
- Let us know you’re with the Ironworkers.
- Ask to speak with our retired Ironworker team member and get a straight conversation about what treatment really looks like and how it might work with your benefits.
Want to talk to a fellow Ironworker who’s been through it? When you call, ask for our retired Ironworker on staff.
Reviewed and approved by Sanjai Thankachen, MD — Supervising Physician
Dr. Sanjai Thankachen graduated from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medicine in 2000. He completed his residency in psychiatry in 2008 from Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in New York, where fifty percent of his rotations were at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. After his residency he worked at Ventura County Medical Centers in an adult out-patient setting and now lives in Orange County, California.