Why Employers Should Address The Recent Spike In Drug Misuse And Overdose With Employees
Offer employee benefits that address substance misuse
Posted on 04-25-2022, Read Time: 5 Min
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With this recent rise in drug misuse, employers need to address the issue with their employees. While it’s common to believe, “Substance misuse isn’t an issue for our team members,” the fact is it is very likely affecting your employees or their family members.
The Scope of the Problem
Employers should be concerned about any type of substance misuse among workers, but the opioid epidemic should be of special concern.
In 2019 (the year for which the most recent statistics are available) an estimated 10.1 million people ages 12 and over misused opioids, the majority of those prescription pain relievers. That is the equivalent of the entire population of the state of Michigan.
In tandem with the pandemic, the U.S. has also seen a sharp spike in drug overdoses. In 2020, 91,799 Americans died of a drug overdose, more than ever previously recorded, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 68,630 of those deaths involved some type of opioid.
With these staggering numbers, drug misuse affects your business, it affects your employees and it affects their families.
In 2019 (the year for which the most recent statistics are available) an estimated 10.1 million people ages 12 and over misused opioids, the majority of those prescription pain relievers. That is the equivalent of the entire population of the state of Michigan.
In tandem with the pandemic, the U.S. has also seen a sharp spike in drug overdoses. In 2020, 91,799 Americans died of a drug overdose, more than ever previously recorded, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 68,630 of those deaths involved some type of opioid.
With these staggering numbers, drug misuse affects your business, it affects your employees and it affects their families.
Business Costs of Substance Misuse
While you might think substance misuse is something your employees are doing during non-work hours, research has found that misuse doesn’t stay off the clock. A recent Sierra Tucson survey revealed that one in five U.S. employees reported using alcohol or drugs while participating in remote work. Similarly, one in four employees admit that using alcohol or drugs makes it difficult to complete job-related tasks and responsibilities.
Substance use disorders (SUD) are among the most common and costly health conditions affecting Americans, and opioid misuse alone costs the U.S. more than $1.3 trillion per year.
However, in comparison with someone with an untreated SUD, employees in recovery actually save employers:
Substance use disorders (SUD) are among the most common and costly health conditions affecting Americans, and opioid misuse alone costs the U.S. more than $1.3 trillion per year.
However, in comparison with someone with an untreated SUD, employees in recovery actually save employers:
- An average of $536 per year in health care utilization and costs
- Up to $4,000 in turnover and recruitment costs
- Up to $8,400 in lost productivity
How to Help
The scope of this problem is immense, and you’re not alone if your business is unsure how to address it. According to the National Safety Council, 75% of employers have been directly impacted by opioids, but only 17% feel extremely well-prepared to deal with the issue.
A comprehensive employee substance use policy is a vital first step in communicating the company’s role and expectations. However, it’s only one element.
Here are some tips of how businesses can help address substance misuse among employees:
A comprehensive employee substance use policy is a vital first step in communicating the company’s role and expectations. However, it’s only one element.
Here are some tips of how businesses can help address substance misuse among employees:
Encourage Proper Drug Deactivation and Disposal
- Create an opioid medication management initiative that encourages proper drug deactivation and disposal. 47% of Americans currently have 1-3 bottles of unused prescriptions in their medicine cabinet, making them easily available for an employee, or their friend or family member, to misuse.
- One easy, low-cost prevention tool is providing employees with at-home drug deactivation and disposal pouches that safely render medications inert and irretrievable. Combined with an employee education program around safe drug storage and disposal, employers can save as much as 40 cents per member per month on health plans by reducing claims associated with opioid use disorder. Use this calculator to estimate your company’s cost savings when implementing an at-home drug deactivation and disposal campaign.
Know Red Flags
Every team member in your organization should be aware of how to spot potential warning signs of substance misuse so, wherever possible, the company can work with the individual to ensure they receive treatment.
Red flags include:
Red flags include:
- Unreliable work performance
- An increase in serious mistakes and/or accidents, refusal to accept responsibility for mistakes or accidents
- Frequent absences or excessive use of PTO
- Long, unexplained absences and frequently disappearing
- Difficulty concentrating or confusion
- Questionable judgment or lack of attention resulting in frequent mistakes
- Isolating themselves, having issues interacting with coworkers
- Deteriorating health, hygiene and/or appearance
Employers can also use examine health care data to help identify substance misuse. An increase in opioid-related claims, renewing opioid prescriptions and an increase in emergency room visits can all be cause for concern.
Prioritize Education and Communication
Offering educational opportunities and talking openly about substance misuse are important pieces of dealing with these issues.
- Create a safe workplace where employees can openly discuss mental health and addiction issues. Substance misuse often has an enormous stigma attached, but leadership from the top to reduce stigma can create an employee culture that supports good mental health and substance misuse prevention and treatment.
- Provide employees with frequent and up-to-date education on the risks of substance misuse, including information about drug misuse prevention and rehabilitation.
Offer Employee Benefits That Address Substance Misuse
- Be sure your Employee Assistance Program has comprehensive mental health and substance misuse services to help workers navigate these tough issues.
- Work with insurers to offer and promote alternative pain management options rather than opioids. Options such as acupuncture, massage, occupational and physical therapies offer effective alternatives for pain management.
When it comes to dealing with the mental health fallout of the last two few years, employers have a responsibility to help their employees navigate these issues. Our individual responses to collective trauma may vary, but the workplace is a key space to work together to ensure we’re aware of and caring for the whole person – physical health, mental health, career, and more.
Author Bio
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Allison Brown is a Founder and Board Member at Health e(fx) and Advisory Council member for Deterra Drug Deactivation and Disposal System. Connect Allison Brown |
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