Education covers types of drugs (including alcohol), the health impacts of using them, how substance use can impact behavior and performance at work, and workplace policies involving substance use.
- Workplace Prevention Basics to provide an interactive guide for you to identify and prevent substance misuse in the workplace
- Provide general health promotion information on topics such as stress management, healthful eating, and fitness
Reduce Stigma
Individuals with a substance use disorder experience extreme levels of stigmatization (negative attitudes and stereotypes) that lead to prejudice, discrimination, social exclusion, and limited opportunities to participate fully in employment and other life roles. Stigmatization is also experienced by individuals who have recovered from a substance use disorder. Therefore, visible educational materials, as well as consistent discussions of the actual nature of substance use disorders, treatment, and recovery, may help reduce stigma and encourage entry into treatment and recovery. A key talking point in these materials and discussions is that a substance use disorder is not a moral failing and recovery is possible.
Recommendations for Reducing Stigma In Workplaces
- Provide training to managers and workers to overcome misunderstanding and bias against individuals with substance use disorder
- Adopt health-promoting policies in the workplace to raise awareness and support workers and their family members struggling with a substance use disorder
- Eliminate imprecise and pejorative terms from workplace language and instead adopt language that reflects a health perspective and is consistent with terms used to describe other health conditions (e.g., “person with substance use disorder”)
- Ensure that all substance use policies are informed by science and supported by data