The average person spends eight hours a day, five days a week working. For many people, more time is spent at than with family or friends. Colleagues and managers are sometimes the first people to recognize a drug or alcohol problem. At Hickory House Recovery, we can walk you through the process of obtaining treatment for a colleague or employee.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 46.3 million people aged 12 or older had a substance abuse disorder, including 29.5 million with an alcohol use disorder and 24 million with a drug use disorder.
Approximately 13.5 million people, or 8.7% of the American population, have substance abuse disorders and are currently employed. In one survey, 22.5% of people admitted to using drugs or alcohol during work hours.
Substance use disorders can arise in people in any profession. However, the National Safety Council reports the following occupations have the highest rates of substance use disorders:
Occupations that are dominated by younger males tend to have higher rates of substance abuse disorders, as do occupations that have easy access to drugs or alcohol. A recent study conducted by the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation showed that nearly 21% of lawyers and others in legal professions were considered problem drinkers.
Employee drug or alcohol problems can quickly get out of hand and affect every aspect of their lives, including their work and the business they work for. Some of the issues that may arise because of substance or alcohol use disorders may include:
Attendance Issues – Employees with substance use disorders miss an average of 22 days a year, which is about twice as many days as employees without these disorders. In comparison, employees who report receiving substance abuse treatment in the past and not having a substance use disorder within the last 12 months miss the fewest days of any group of workers.
Work Performance Issues – Drug or alcohol use can interfere with an employee’s ability to perform their job duties. The employee may fail to:
Job Turnover – Employees with drug or alcohol problems may quit because they do not have a good handle on the situation. Or, they may be terminated for attendance issues, getting into a fight, or coming to work high or intoxicated. This can lead to lost productivity and turnover, which damages the company’s bottom line.
22% of currently employed workers report having more than one employer in the last year. 40% of workers with a substance use disorder are 40% more likely to report having more than one employer in the previous year. The base cost to employees to recruit and train replacement workers is one-third of a worker’s annual salary, with higher costs associated with workers at higher positions in the company and more education equaling higher amounts. For sectors and roles with higher average salaries, workers with an untreated substance abuse disorder cost an employer more than $14,000 per year per employee.
Workplace Accidents – Workers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol may be more likely to cause a workplace accident, injuring themselves or others.
Legal Implications – Employers are generally legally responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. Employees who cause accidents, health or safety issues, or workplace assaults may create legal issues for employers. Employers and co-workers may also have to miss time to participate in workplace investigations, administrative hearings, civil lawsuits, or criminal cases.
Additionally, employers must be aware of the legal status of substance use disorders in the workplace. In some cases, drug or alcohol dependency may be considered a disability under the Americans with Disability Act. Employers may be required to provide reasonable accommodations to such employees, such as modifying work schedules so the employee can attend medical appointments to maintain their sobriety or providing a quiet place where an employee can contact their sponsor.
Reputation Problems – Employee misconduct can potentially damage a company’s reputation, reducing sales or causing bad publicity that harms the profitability of the company.
Health Insurance – According to the Surgeon General’s report, the United States spends $35 billion a year to treat substance use disorders. It spends another $85 billion a year to treat injuries, illnesses, and infections associated with substance use. Health insurance premiums for employers and employees can rise when workers use treatment programs. On average, organizations cover 83% of individuals’ premiums and 73% of family premiums.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that alcohol use alone can increase a person’s possibility of developing more than 200 different diseases, including heart disease, stroke, or digestive problems. Family members of employees with substance use disorders may suffer additional stress, depression, anxiety, and other medical issues related to caring for someone with a disorder of this nature. Affected family members may use more medical services under the employee’s insurance plan, which can increase healthcare costs for employers.
Employees struggling with drug or alcohol problems may start having performance issues, such as:
Changes in behavior or appearance include:
There are many ways that you can help a colleague or employee who is struggling with a drug or alcohol problem. Here is a brief list of things you can do to help your colleague or employee:
The first step is to mention your concerns. Some tips on initiating this conversation include:
Many employees are unaware of the benefits provided through their employer and how those benefits may be available for a substance abuse treatment program. If your company has an Employee Assistance Program, provide the affected employee with information on how to contact them. Explain what coverage your health insurance provider offers or refer them to a benefits specialist. Let your employee or colleague know that confidential help is available.
If the employee expresses interest in finding treatment, offer to help them find a treatment center to assist. You can make initial calls to check for availability, treatment options, and pricing. Direct them to contact us at 800-604-2117, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Sometimes helping an employee or colleague take the first step is all they need to get on the road to recovery.
Ask them if there is anything you can do to help. They may not know, but you could suggest calling for available assistance, verifying insurance coverage, attending a 12-step program with them, or helping in some other proactive way.
The longest and most effective treatment journey can begin with a single step in the right direction and at Hickory House Recovery, we provide a safe, comfortable environment for recovery. What sets Hickory House Recovery apart:
Take the first step toward helping an affected employee or colleague on their path to recovery. Call us today at 800-604-2117 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help.
