Substance use disorders (SUDs) affected approximately 20.3 million people in 2018. Although 75% of these people are part of the workforce, most employers are unaware of the hidden costs associated with these illnesses. Workplaces bear significant costs due to absenteeism, increased health care expenses, turnover, and lost productivity.
The Good News: Workers in recovery have lower turnover rates and are less likely to miss work days, less likely to be hospitalized, and have fewer doctor visits.
The National Safety Council has collaborated with an independent research institution at the University of Chicago to update “The Real Cost of Substance Use to Employers” tool, originally developed in 2017 with national nonprofit Shatterproof. This cost calculator is an authoritative, easy-to-use tool providing business leaders with specific information about the cost of substance use in their workplace based on size of employee base, industry and state.
How Can Employers Reduce the Cost of Substance Use?
The first step to bringing down these costs is awareness. The next step? Learn how to deal with the problem in a way that fosters a caring and supportive corporate culture while protecting your company and its most valuable asset – the employees.
- Watch this free webinar to find out how substance use is affecting your workforce and the steps you can take to begin addressing it
Workplaces are a critical point of contact for Americans struggling with or recovering from a substance use disorder. Ideally, workplaces will provide individual, family, and community support and improve the well-being of workers. Workplaces should create work environments that proactively prevent substance use, reduce stigma, and encourage treatment and sustained recovery.
What is a Recovery-Supportive Workplace?
A recovery-supportive workplace aims to prevent exposure to workplace factors that could cause or perpetuate a substance use disorder while lowering barriers to seeking care, receiving care, and maintaining recovery. A recovery-supportive workplace educates its management team and workers on issues surrounding substance use disorders to reduce the all-too-common stigma around this challenge.
5 Steps to Creating a Supportive Workplace
There are many ways that business leaders in St. Mary’s County can cultivating a supportive workplace. The following five key steps can help to mitigate the risk factors for initiation or perpetuation of a substance use disorder, help maximize the likelihood that employees in need will seek treatment, and support employees in their recovery efforts:
- Developing Written Policies & Operations
- Educating Employees
- Training Supervisors
- Preparing for Overdose Emergencies
- Support Wellness