Addiction Doesn't Descriminate

Substance Abuse in the Workplace

Multi Concept Recovery is proud to offer a unique Intensive Outpatient Program specifically in the evening for working professionals in the Burbank, Los Angeles, CA area. Keep reading to learn more about substance abuse in various careers and how to get help today.

Medical Reviewer: Evan Amarni, MS, LAADC-CA, ICADC, CIP
November 16, 2022

ADDICTION + THE WORKPLACE

Facts + Statistics About Addicted Employees

68.9% of all substance users are employed and active in the workplace, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).
1/3 of all employees are aware of the illegal sale of drugs in their workplace, according to the TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
10-20% of American workers who die at work have a positive result when tested for drugs or alcohol.

It’s simple to have a hands-off approach with substance use in the workplace. Many places may choose this approach over providing the employee an opportunity to seek help, as this is a less “messy” situation for them. They may have a policy in place that states if a positive urinalysis is detected then the employee is to be terminated. Much easier, right? Wrong.

Although seemingly easier and less messy, it is definitely more costly to an organization to expend the resources necessary to detect, terminate, hire, onboard and train a new employee (that may or may not have less experience than the person just terminated for substance use in the workplace), rather than help the afflicted individual with their substance abuse problems and reintegrate them back into employment.

It is possible to offer the individual time off to allow them to enter a treatment facility for a short period of time (typically 30-60 days) and then help them return to work while they attend an evening intensive outpatient program, or morning intensive outpatient program, to ensure an appropriate transition back into their previous lifestyle.

According to the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence, substance use in the workplace may have severe, and even fatal, consequences. These include premature death, fatal accidents, injuries from accidents, loss caused by absenteeism and/or extra sick leave, and of course, loss of production in the workplace (NCADD, 2017).

NEW PERSPECTIVES REQUIRE NEW CONCEPTS. REQUEST A CALLBACK 24/7

SIGNS & RED FLAGS

THAT SOMEONE IS ADDICTED.

In order to be aware of an employee who may be struggling with substance use look for the following signs or red flags:

Increased tardiness or absenteeism (calling in sick multiple times in a short period of time)
Sleeping on the job
Poor decision making
Loss of efficiency
Lower morale of co-workers
Interpersonal conflict
Sudden disappearances (related to obtaining and using substances at work)

DON’T LET YOUR STORY END

BEFORE IT REALLY BEGINS.

HOW TO HELP

What to Do If a Coworker or Employee is Addicted to Drugs + Alcohol?

If you feel someone in your workplace is using substances, report it to your supervisor, manager, or human resources department. Never feel guilty for reporting a coworker. This is typically the biggest reason employees hesitate and do not report this issue, which can be a deadly mistake. Not telling someone leads to the likelihood that an accident will occur. Reporting the suspicion can be the catalyst that prompts the person to seek treatment and could save his/her job and even his/her life.

LET US HELP YOUR FAMILY HEAL.

HELPING FAMILIES RECOVER TOGETHER.

Get in touch with Multi Concept Recovery today to learn more about how our program can help you find long-term healing from substance abuse & mental health.

HOW MCR CAN HELP

Our Los Angeles Treatment Program for Working Professionals

Multi Concept Recovery prepares the workplace to create a drug testing program and policy, or policies. We will prepare your Human Resource Department, and management team, to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of someone who is abusing substances and could benefit from some form of intervention at the workplace.

Drug testing and educational programs can help your company manage and address substance use in the workplace in a more effective manner that will prove to:

Increase morale
Reduce risk of, and actual, accidents in the workplace
Reduce employee theft
Increase productivity
Reduce turnover rates
Decrease cost of insurance, such as workers’ compensation
Potentially save someone’s life

Multi Concept Recovery believes we can address the substance use issues in the workplace as a community. As such we are offering local companies our services to assist in the set-up of a drug testing program and policy (or modification of policy) as a complimentary service. For more information please contact us today to get started with a consultation.

Taking the first step

is all you need to begin healing from suffering.

“RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE WHEN DENIAL IS REPLACED
BY WILLINGNESS.”
– ERIC MOORE, COO