Breaking the Silence: The Workplace Crisis of Caregivers & Substance Misuse
TLDR: Caregiving employees are at higher risk for depression and substance use due to the stress of balancing work with unpaid care responsibilities. Proactively support them by leveraging your existing benefits and wellness programs to build resilience and positive coping strategies. As a CEO and leader now focused on employee wellness, I advise Fortune 1000 companies to create effective, holistic solutions that benefit both your caregiving employees and your bottom line.
Imagine what it is like for Sarah.
It's 4 AM. She is awake because her mother, who has dementia, is wandering the house again. In four hours, she has a crucial pitch to do for your best customer. She is exhausted, overwhelmed and that bottle of wine in the kitchen feels like the only way out.
This is the daily reality for countless employees silently battling the dual challenges of work and caregiving.?
Sarah's not alone. One in three caregiving employees turns to alcohol to cope with the overwhelming stress of balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.* As someone who's spent over a decade in caregiving technology, including founding and directing Caregiven , I've seen firsthand how critical it is to address this issue.?
The Hidden Toll of Caregiving
Let's confront the harsh reality:
These aren't just numbers. They are people you know —struggling to hold it together, their work and well-being at risk. But there's hope. With the right support and action, we can turn the tide.
Spotting the Warning Signs
To support your caregiving employees, you first need to identify them. Sarah may be your star employee. Sarah may be great at masking what is going on. She may not tell you when she has taken on extra responsibilities as a caregiver because she is worried about you doubting her ability to manager both her work and home commitments.
Here are signals of stress to watch for:
Remember, these signs don't automatically mean substance abuse or that your employee is now caregiving for another adult. But they do signal an employee who needs support from you, your leaders and the company—now.
Fostering Caregiver Resiliency
As someone who's dedicated their career to developing solutions for caregivers, I can't stress enough the importance of proactive coping strategies. Building resilience isn't just about reacting to stress—it's about equipping caregivers with the tools they need before a crisis hits.
The crisis will hit. Caregiving is a rollercoaster with hard times that feel, and may often be, life or death moments, and the spaces in between where a caregiver is hoping to establish a new normal while fearing what’s around the bend. The uncertainty of caregiving leads many to unhealthy coping mechanisms - like alcohol, drugs, and food misuse. In limited doses and for short periods these can mitigate the stress and overwhelm. Unfortunately, caregiving is often a multi-year experience, lasting on average four years, resulting in caregivers who use alcohol or drugs to cope, being at greater risk for substance abuse.
Below I’ve listed strategies that foster caregiver resiliency. They are no different than fostering resiliency in any individual and aren’t anything you haven’t considered or implemented. I’d be remiss, however, if I did not include them.
There is an often overlooked strategy that I think is perhaps the most important of them all - creating a “safe” work environment where employees feel understood as well as supported. Most employers provide physically safe environments and have policies against bullying or discrimination intended to create emotionally safe workspaces. I would suggest that overlooking or ignoring the distress of someone can do great harm to the individual and the culture of the organization.
When I was caring for my Dad, I recall too many occasions where I sat at my desk pretending everything was alright while my coworkers sat a few feet away pretending nothing was wrong. The isolation of feeling as if I was the first daughter to ever be caring for a dying parent (and working) was one of the reasons I founded Caregiven. I often wonder if my work environment had been more understanding, seeing me as a human going through one of the most human experiences, would my choices have been different? Would I still work there today?
Creating “Safe” Workplaces
Last week I had the honor of participating in a panel discussion on emerging trends in workplace wellbeing held by the Wellbeing Think Tank . Cal Beyer, CWP , a co-panelist, opened my eyes to the importance of creating recovery-friendly workplaces and work environments that don’t contribute to unhealthy coping mechanisms. SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) is a non-profit that supports businesses in developing and maintaining healthy environments for all, including those with substance misuse/disorder and mental health concerns.?
I see the strong connection between the stress and overwhelm of caregiving and how that may contribute to use of alcohol, drugs, or food as a coping mechanism. This presents another opportunity for employers to rise to the occasion and better support employees by creating a safe workplace that promotes healthy resiliency and recognizes the acute stress that 1 in every 5 employees face when they become a caregiver to another adult.
Here are some strategies to foster caregiver (and your entire company’s) resiliency:
1. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction:
???? Offer mindfulness training or meditation apps that include caregiver specific support
???? Provide access to stress-reduction workshops
???? Encourage regular breaks for deep breathing or quick meditation sessions
2. Physical Wellness:
???? Promote regular exercise through gym memberships or on-site facilities
???? Offer healthy eating options in the workplace
???? Encourage proper sleep habits through education and flexible schedules
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3. Emotional Intelligence Training:
???? Provide workshops on recognizing and managing emotions
???? Teach techniques for effective communication under stress
???? Offer resources for building and maintaining healthy boundaries
4. Time Management and Organization Skills:
???? Provide training on effective time management techniques
???? Offer tools and resources for better organization
???? Encourage the use of productivity apps or methods
5. Building Support Networks:
???? Facilitate peer support groups for caregivers
???? Encourage participation in community support organizations
???? Promote the importance of maintaining social connections
6. Financial Wellness (There may already be resources available via your 401K provider):
???? Offer financial planning resources specific to caregivers.?
???? Provide education on managing the costs of caregiving
???? Connect employees with financial advisors who understand caregiver challenges
By implementing these proactive strategies, we're not just helping caregivers cope with current stressors—we're building their capacity to handle future challenges.?
Remember, resilience isn't about being tough—it's about having the right tools and support. By fostering resilience, we're not just preventing burnout and substance use; we're empowering caregivers to thrive both at work and in their personal lives.
Free Resources: A Helping Hand
Don't overlook these powerful, no-cost supports:
You Can Make a Difference
To ensure your efforts are making a difference, track these key metrics:
Tip: Use a platform like SurveyMonkey for anonymous surveys and consider partnering with your health insurance provider to analyze healthcare cost data.?
Your Call to Action: Start Today
Every moment you wait, another Sarah may struggle. Don't let that happen to your people on your watch.?
Take the list, commit to taking one action today. Reach out to SAFE Project. Schedule that manager training. Start your resource guide. Whatever it is, do it now.
The challenges of caregiving aren't going away. But with the right support, your employees can face them head-on—and thrive.
As a leader who's seen the transformative power of these actions, I urge you: Be the change your caregiving employees desperately need. They're counting on you. Don't let them down. Your action today could be the lifeline that saves a career—or even a life.
I'm here to help guide you through this process. DM me for a consultation or to join a webinar where you discuss these issues in more detail.