Former Disney employee Taron Sargsyan candidly shared his tumultuous experience dealing with drug addiction and redemption following a hefty unauthorized spending of $24,000 on his corporate credit card, detailing his story in an essay for Business Insider.
Sargsyan’s employment at Disney began after his internship in 2014, where he started as a software engineer on the Photopass team. He described this opportunity as a lifeline during a dark period marked by depression and isolation due to him coming out as gay to his Armenian immigrant family. He confessed to turning to methamphetamine as an escape during this difficult time, causing financial strain by recklessly spending his income on drugs and helping his family.
The breaking point came when Sargsyan realized the exorbitant bill racked up on his Disney corporate card. In his op-ed, he admitted to misusing the card for personal expenses such as groceries and medical care, while his income was primarily diverted to feed his drug addiction.
coming clean
Despite being terrified of the repercussions, Sargsyan finally revealed his financial transgression to his manager in early 2017, prompting a surprising response from Disney. The company offered him the opportunity to pay the debt, providing him with a formal warning instead of dismissal or legal action. Sargsyan clarified that he did not explicitly reveal his drug problem to his manager, but admitted to misusing the card for personal expenses.
His family supported him by lending him the funds necessary to pay Disney, and he began the repayment process that year. However, struggles persisted as Sargsyan faced multiple failed attempts at rehabilitation. A significant turning point came in 2018 when he found himself in a desperate situation, leading him to seek professional help through a rehab center in Tustin, California.
This period was transformative and reinforced the importance of accountability and forgiveness. Sargsyan credited Disney’s compassionate approach, which helped him realize the importance of self-forgiveness in addiction recovery. Despite leaving Disney in 2019 for reasons of personal fulfillment, he expressed his gratitude to the company for providing him with a chance at redemption and the catalyst for a new purpose in life.
While Disney refrained from immediate comment on Sargsyan’s revelations, his narrative highlights the complexities of addiction, redemption, and the impact of compassionate support on the path to recovery.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn