- Key Insight: Discover how value-based outpatient models are reshaping employer approaches to SUD treatment.
- What's at Stake: Unclear treatment quality standards may increase employer liability, costs and workforce disruption.
- Supporting Data: Nearly 50 million Americans with SUD; Groups serves roughly 20,000 members across 12+ states.
- Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review
Cooper Zelnick knows firsthand how substance use disorder can impact job performance.
Zelnick, CEO of addiction treatment program Groups Recover Together, got sober in 2015 after developing a dependence on opioids.
"I got into treatment, I got sober, and I've been able to build a life," Zelnick says.
Today he is helping others like him do the same as head of Groups, a national leader in value-based outpatient care for
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Groups refers to their clients as "members," and the company currently has around 20,000 — most of whom are seeking help for
Zelnick, who became CEO of Groups last September, recently spoke with Employee Benefit News about his goals as the company's new leader and how benefit leaders can help employees who are struggling with substance use disorder.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
As the new CEO of Groups, what are your top priorities?
We are living in a moment of instability with respect to healthcare. So one of my top areas of focus is making sure that I am setting us up for success regardless of
According to Groups' 2025 annual outcomes report, nearly 50 million people in the U.S. struggle with substance use disorders. What kind of an impact does this have on the workforce?
Substance use disorder impacts people in all ways. This is a disease that manifests itself in folks not doing what they say they're going to do, not being honest and not taking care of their responsibilities. Many of us, myself included, have struggled with this. What it means to the employer is typically
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And then I think the other hidden cost here is an employer might say, "We have a zero-tolerance policy for drug or alcohol use. This isn't impacting our people. We're different." And I think what the data would show is no one's different. This is an issue that impacts the whole population. It's also an issue that impacts dependents. If you have an employee whose husband or wife is struggling with addiction, you know it manifests itself in the same issues. This is an employee who's distracted, who's not productive, who's stressed and anxious at work, who's not bringing their best self to work.
Do you think there is less of a stigma around substance use disorder now in society?
I think that there's broader recognition that this is a disease and you can be treated for it. In pop culture, we used to see just representations of addicts or alcoholics, and now you see real representations of
Are you seeing a trend toward more insurance carriers and companies covering the cost of treatment for substance use disorder?
We've gone from a crisis of access in this country to a crisis of quality. There are more providers than there ever have been paying for and supporting this work. The bad news is I don't think we have yet agreed on what "good" looks like. And when you can't agree on what good looks like, it's really hard to promote quality.
Given your experience working with people who suffer from substance use disorders, do you have any advice for benefit leaders?
Step one, reduce the stigma. Make resources available and foster these conversations. Step two, have a perspective on quality and bring in the resources and partners you need to help people get to
