Research Update (2009 January): Substance Use in the Workplace

2009·0.27 MB·English

by  Butler Center for Research

HaZeLDeN
Research Updateis published bythe Butler Center
for Research to share significantscientific findings
from thefield ofaddiction treatment research.
RESEARCH U PDATE
BUTLER CENTER FOR RESEARCH iANUARY 2009
THEHAZELDENEXPERIENCE
Substance Use in the Workplace Hazeldencommissionsnationwidesurveysofhuman
resourceprofessionalstobetterunderstandthepressures
companiesfacerelatedtoemployeesubstance use. Inaddi
Contraryto negative and stereotyped images, the majority of peuple with substance use prob tion, a research projectontreatmentoutcomesforemployees
lems are gainfullyemployed, equatingto millions of people in the workforcewith problematic withalcohol and/ordrugdependencewasconducted by
alcohol ordrug use. These substance use problems, in turn, impactthe workplace. Prevention, Hazeldenstaffand published in a scientificjournal.The
intervention, and treatment improve lives, productivity, and health. resultsaresummarized inthisissue.
QUESTIONS&ANSWERS
Prevalence of Substance Use in the Workplace
Question:Whatcananemployerdotopreventsubstance
Accordingto the latest estimates, 62% ofadults in the U.S. with substance use problems are
useamongtheworkforce?
employed full-time. Among heavy drinkers, 79% are employed full or part-time and among
adultswho use illicitdrugs, approximately75% are employed (SAMHSA, 2008). This translates Answer.Materialsarereadilyavailabletofostera drug-free
into millions ofemployees who may be engaging in illicitdrugor problematic alcohol use. workenvironment.TheSubstanceAbuseand Mental Health
Rates of problematic substance use vary byoccupation (Frone, 2006; Larson et al., 2007). ServicesAdministrationoffersafreeDrug-FreeWorkplaceKit
Highest rates of illicitdrug useare typicallyfound amongthose in food service, construction, ontheirWebsite.Organizationsrequiredtoabidewiththe
arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations (see Figure). Similar patterns are Drug-FreeWorkplaceActof1988canfind additional materi
found amongthose with rieevyulcutiul use problems (Frone, 2006b). alsthroughtheU.S. DepartmentofLabor’sWebsite.
Use ofsubstances mayoccurwhile on thejoboroff. Based on a national survey, Frone (2006) HOWTO USETHIS INFORMATION
estimated thatover 2 million Amercans used illicitdrugs duringwork hours during the prior
— Employers:Implementeffective prevention programs
year. Approximately3 million workers used an illicitdrugwithin two hours of reportingto work
atyourworksite. Referemployeeswith substance
and over2 million Lised illicitdrugs during lunch breaks. Over 7% ofAmericans reported using use problemstoassessmentand treatment.
alcohol duringtheworkdayand 9% reported having worked duringa hangover (Frone, 2006b).
— HumanResourceProfessionals: Encourage leadersat
yourcompanyto implement preventionand inter
Impact on Employment Functioning vention programs. Askfortrainingto identifyand
intervenewith employeeswho may beexperienc
Alcohol and drug use has a negative impacton worker productivity, whetherthe use occurs off
ingsubstance use problems. Supporttreatment
thejob oron. A nationwide surveyofover300 human resources professionals found 67% be effortsamongemployeeswith alcohol and/ordrug
lieve substance use is one ofthe most serious issuestheyface amongthe workforce (Hazelden, dependence.
2007) with consequences related to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and a negative impact
on theircompany’s reputation.
CONTINUEDFROMLEFT
Workerswith illicitdrugand/or heavy alcohol use have higher rates ofjob turnoverand absen
is also implicated in fatal occupational injuries with
teeism compared to those with no illicitdrugor heavyalcohol use (SAMHSA, 2008) and are
approximately 5% oftoxicology reports positive for
more likelyto experiencejub-reated injuries (Spicer, M liar, & Smith, 2003). Substance use
alcohol and/orotherdrugs (Greenberg etal., 1999).
Figure.Percentageofadult,full-timeworkersusingillicitdrugs Not surprisingly, thesework-related consequences
inthepastmonthbyoccupationalcategory
have an economic impact. For2002, the latest year
Psodpaeparaiinnandnaming 174 forwhich data are available, the Office of National
Constructionandextraction 15.1
Ado,design.entedainmentspods.andmedia 12.4 Drug Control Policy (2004) estimated the economic
Salesandieiatedoccupations 9.6 impactof illicitdrug use at $128.6 billion dollars in
tn,faKatron,maintenanceandrepain 9.5
Fan’ing.fishing,endi”cj 8.7 lost productivityalone. Latest estimates for alcohol-
t,aop:datonandmaterixi-moving .— —984
Buildingandgroundsclearingandmentenance I 82 related lost productivity and earnings, updated for
DiiCeanPderasIomnaininoat,reatiavnedssueprvpiecde , 7.75.7 1998, top $134 billion a year (Harwood, 2000).
Paodc.t_i c. ,i,uns 74
Liie.physical,andsociatscience , 7
Enginee,ing.archdecture,andsurueynro 69
Mathematicalandcompute,ncinntintn 6.9 Prevention and Intervention in the Workplace
2n”egom’ii 61
Heaitiicampaactdioneasandtechnicaioccupations 6.1 Common workplace strategies include employee
Frnanciaioccupations 4.9 Source bisonatat 2007;SPJIIMSA education and awareness campaigns, drugtesting,
Legeioo,cpatroas 4.8
Education,training,andlibrary 4.1 and Employee Assistance Programs. While formal
Csannriunityandoociainervi000 , 4
Frotecticeservice 34
,
0 2 4 B B tO 2 4 8 16 20 sCONTNUEDONBACK
<CONTINUEDFROMFRONT
Substance Use in the Workplace
HZLDN
evaluations ofthese programsare few, a handful ofstudies have found positive outcomes.
Workplaceswith drugtesting programs have 24% less drug usage than workplaces without
drugtesting, and employeesatdrug-testingworkplaces are 38.5% less likelyto be chronic
References
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The ButlerCenterforResearchinformsand improves recoveryservicesandproducesresearch
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wnrkplaceproblemsandtheriskofoccupationalinjury:Amatched
collaboratingwithexternal researchers. aend communicatingscientificfindings. cuse-cuntrulstudy.JournalofStudiesonAlcohoi,54,570—578.
ValerieSlaymaker,Ph.D..EeecutiaeDirector Ifyouhatequestions,orwouldliketorequestcopiesofResearchUpdate. 21. SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdminiatratiurm.12U081.
Resultsfrom fire2007NationalSorroyonDrugUseandHealth:
pleasecall800-257-7800ext.4405,[email protected].
Nationalfindings(OfficeofAppliedStudies,NSOUHSeriesH—34,
orwriteBC4.P.O.Box11.CenterCity.uN 55012-0011. DHHSPublicationNo.SMA08-43431.Rockville,MO:Aatimnr.
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