Unlocking Potential: How Addressing Substance Use Disorder Can Save Lives and Transform the Workplace

Substance use disorder (SUD) impacts not just individual employees and their families - it impacts the entire workplace ecosystem. With nearly 11 million American workers grappling with SUD, the ripple effects are substantial:

• Increased healthcare costs
• Reduced productivity, and?
• Heightened workplace safety risks

Key Facts:

• Safety Concerns: Employees who misuse drugs and alcohol are significantly more likely to cause workplace accidents. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, substance abuse is linked to 65% of on-the-job accidents.
• Economic Impact: Beyond safety, substance misuse contributes to high turnover rates, increased health insurance claims, and workplace theft. ?
• Mental Health: A significant number of individuals with SUD also suffer from co-occurring mental health conditions, exacerbating absenteeism and presenteeism.? ?

Workplace Safety Issues and On-the-Job Accidents Resulting from Addiction

Nearly 11 million full-time workers in America struggle with a substance use disorder. In fact, addiction is an issue in every U.S. workforce, with one in 12 workers dealing with an untreated substance use disorder. The misuse of alcohol and drugs create costly medical, social and other problems that affect employers and employees. Key among them are workplace safety issues.

• Drug and alcohol impairment can negatively affect an employee’s judgment and motor skills, which can result in near misses, injuries and property damage. The likelihood for workplace accidents skyrockets when employees are under the influence. According to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), people who use alcohol and drugs are more likely to injure themselves and others, compared to those who do not drink or use substances, or who drink only socially
• Safety hazards are just the start. Drug and alcohol impairment can result in workplace mistakes, reduced output and poor morale. Such impairments also increase the likelihood of sexual harassment in the workplace, including sexual assault, as well as workplace violence, including physical assaults

The statistics are startling:

• 14.8 million Americans use illegal drugs and 70 percent of them are employed. In addition, a significant percentage of this drug use occurs at work, or the employees are high when they arrive at their workplace.
• The overall rate of past month illicit drug use among full- time workers is 8.6% while one in 13 adults in the U.S. have an alcohol problem.
• The U.S. Department of Labor reported that drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace causes 65% of on-the-job accidents.

Addiction Driven Damage: Workplace Safety

• Approximately 16 percent of Emergency Room patients injured at work have alcohol in their systems.
• Despite numerous safety protocols at the workplace,
• 40 percent of all industrial workplace fatalities are caused by individuals with substance use disorders, who may not realize the danger they create by using at work or while recuperating from an alcohol or drug use disorder.
• 10 to 20% of Americans who die at work have a positive result when tested for drugs or alcohol. Drug use skews decision-making skills and causes physical disablement, creating a deadly combination when on the job.
• Substance use disorders are the third leading cause of workplace violence, and drug-using employees are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in workplace accidents.
• An individual who is inebriated or hung over will suffer from decreased productivity and alertness, which can set the stage for workplace accidents. In fact, on-the-job accidents caused by inebriation or hangovers are five times more likely to injure someone.

Nearly 100% of the time, these substance use issues jeopardize an employee’s career and financial wellness, which can lead to additional hardship, trauma and stress for which they may continue to self-medicate. It’s important to note that those with a substance use disorder do not have to misuse drugs and alcohol on the job to have a negative impact on the workplace.

Employer Mitigation Strategies for Workplace Substance Use

The workplace becomes a critical point of contact for Americans struggling with a substance use disorder. Employers are in a unique position to provide their workforce, families and communities with the support necessary to improve the well-being of their workers. While the task is not an easy one, it is vital to protecting the investments they’ve made in their business, brand and employees.

One of the most important things employers can do to be proactive on the subject of substance misuse and addiction is to educate themselves on the unique risks of their employee population and determine the best course of action to support their specific needs.

Improving workplace safety should start with the development of a Workplace Recovery Program that includes among its goals:

• Proactively preventing substance misuse
• Reducing the stigma of addiction
• Encouraging treatment and sustained recovery. This includes mitigating stress and building resilience so that people can adapt and grow from challenging experiences.

Prevent work-related injuries and illnesses by training managers – Research has shown that several factors contribute to alcohol and drug misuse in the workplace, including:

• Workplace culture and the acceptance of substance misuse
• Workplace alienation – this happens when a worker feels they are losing their independence and become just another cog in the wheel. Employees become emotionally separated from others and their own feelings.
• The availability of drugs and alcohol
• The existence and enforcement of workplace substance abuse policies

Manager enablement to get ahead of SUD - In addition, managers should be trained to spot the signs of workplace substance use disorders. While most addiction sufferers hide their drug use from employers and co-workers, there are several signs that suggest a problem. For example, someone misusing drugs at work may:

• Avoid co-workers
• Irrationally blame others for their mistakes
• Exhibit a decline in their personal appearance or hygiene
• Complain of failing relationships at home
• Take time off from work for vague illnesses or family problems

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-Assisted Treatment provides a “whole patient” approach to treat substance use disorders. It combines the use of FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies.

MAT programs are clinically driven and tailored to meet the needs of each patient. While a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat substance use disorders, for some, MAT can also help sustain recovery.

Proven to be clinically effective for significantly reducing the need for inpatient detoxification, MAT provides a more comprehensive, individually-tailored program of medication and behavioral therapy that addresses the needs of most patients.

The ultimate goal of MAT is full recovery, including the ability to live a self-directed life. The overall benefits of this treatment approach include:

• An improvement in patient survival
• Increased retention in treatment
• A decrease in illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among those with substance use disorders
• An increase in the patient’s ability to gain and maintain employment
• Improved birth outcomes in women with substance use disorder who are pregnant

Cultural Transformation to Reduce Stigma:

Creating a culture of empathy and support not only improves workplace safety but also fosters a more engaged and productive workforce. Employees who feel valued and supported are more likely to seek help and commit to recovery, ultimately reducing healthcare costs and improving overall company performance.

Conclusion

Addiction places a significant cost burden on employers. But aside from that, there are the “pain and suffering” aspects that can’t always be measured in economic terms. The fact is, when workplace accidents rise, workplace safety plummets, taking a profound toll on the health and safety of employees and other stakeholders within a business, including contractors, vendors, customers, and the general public.

Ignoring the problem can create ripple effects that result in serious long-term economic and employee wellness issues, regardless of a company’s size. However, guiding employees toward treatment is a proactive, compassionate and ultimately, cost-effective course of action that instills in them the sense that they are a valued part of the organization. And, an employee who believes their job is secure may be more inclined to seek treatment and get their life together.

For more insights and resources on managing substance use in the workplace, visit Pelago Health.

#workplacesafety #employeewellbeing #substanceusedisorder #hrleadership #corporateculture #totalrewards #toxicworkplace #substanceusedisorder #substanceusemanagement #opioidcrisis?