3 ways to establish an addiction recovery-ready workplace

Published 3 Min Read

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Employees affected by a substance use disorder need resources and support, not judgment and fear. This is where employers come in. 

A survey from virtual substance use management clinic Pelago revealed that 35% of workers are struggling personally or have a loved one dealing with a substance use disorder (SUD), and 38% of these respondents reported missing work due to their mental health. Pelago also found that while more than half of workers wished their company provided some form of support, only 14% said they have access to resources like personalized treatment and behavioral therapy. Just 37% reported that they or their loved one struggling with an SUD received treatment. 

To reduce stigma and determine the most impactful approach to benefits and other forms of support for a workforce, leaders need to have a good understanding of SUDs, Dr. Sherwani says. 

“It’s recognizing that substance use disorders are another category of chronic conditions, and [people] have an environmental and genetic predisposition to it — it’s not just purely a willpower issue,” says Dr. Sherwani. “In the same way that we now talk about mental health, diabetes and weight management as chronic conditions that require specialized treatment and de-stigmatization of a lot of historical language around treating those conditions, the same is equally true in substance use disorder.”

Lee Hafner
Editor

Lee joined the EBN team in 2022, and covers areas including caregiving, employee health and wellness, healthcare innovation, and company culture. She created EBN's popular Benefits in Action and … Read full bio


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