Substance Abuse in the Workplace:
A Dangerous and Expensive Problem

By Tony Williams, LICDC

Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious workplace issue, with high economic and social costs. According to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), most of the nation's approximately 16.4 million current illicit drug users and approximately 15 million heavy alcohol users hold full-time jobs, posing significant risks to their own health and productivity as well as others around them.

Risks and Signs

Substance abuse is defined as any use of drugs or alcohol that threatens physical or mental health; inhibits responsible relationships; or diminishes the ability to meet family, social or vocational obligations. The range of substances that are abused is wide and can include alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, other illicit drugs, solvents and misuse of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) says that work roles with little or no supervision and those characterized by high mobility are associated with increased rates of problem drinking. Unmarried workers (divorced, separated or never married) have about twice the rate of illicit drug and heavy alcohol use as married workers, and workers who report having three or more jobs in the previous five years are about twice as likely to be current or past-year illicit drug users as those who have had two or fewer jobs. Numerous studies also suggest a significant relationship between work stress and the development of drinking problems.

Substance abuse can be difficult to identify in all but the most blatant cases. Employers should watch for the following signs, which may suggest possible drug and alcohol problems:

• Frequent, prolonged and often unexplained absences
  
  
• Involvement in accidents both on and off the job
  
  
• Erratic work patterns and reduced productivity
  
  
• Indifference to personal hygiene
  
  
• Overreaction to real or imagined criticism
  
  
• Overt physical signs such as exhaustion or hyperactivity, dilated pupils, slurred speech or an unsteady walk
  
  

Costs and Workplace Impact

The economic and human costs of drug and alcohol abuse are profound. A report from the National Institutes of Health found that alcohol and drug abuse cost the economy $246 billion in 1992, the most recent year for which economic data are available. In addition, numerous other studies suggest that substance abuse leads to decreased productivity and increased accidents, absenteeism, turnover and medical costs. For example:

• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Web site, in 2002, problems resulting from drug use alone cost American businesses $128.6 billion in lost productivity. Alcoholism alone is estimated to cause 500 million lost workdays annually.
  
  
• The SAMHSA study, Worker Substance Use and Workplace Policies and Programs, found that nearly twice as many current illicit drug users skipped one or more days of work in the past month compared with workers who did not abuse drugs. The study also found that substance users had far higher job turnover rates.
  
  
• A survey sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that drug-using employees are 2.2 times more likely to request early dismissal or time off, 2.5 times more likely to have absences of eight days or more, three times more likely to be late for work, 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident and five times more likely to file a workers' compensation claim.
  
  

Prevention Works

Workplace substance abuse is a problem that can be prevented. Studies show that when the issue is addressed by establishing comprehensive programs, which include a policy, education and training, testing and access to treatment, both employers and employees benefit.

The SAMHSA study found that drug users are more likely to work for employers who do not conduct drug or alcohol testing programs – nearly a third of current illicit drug users responded that they would be less likely to work for employers who conduct random drug testing. Overall, just 30 percent of the full-time work force reported that random drug testing takes place in their current employment setting.

Taking steps to raise awareness among employees about the impact of substance use on workplace performance, and offering appropriate resources and/or assistance to employees in need, will improve worker health and safety and increase workplace productivity.

Learn More

Committed to the prevention, intervention and treatment of alcohol and other drug abuse, Recovery and Prevention Resources of Delaware and Morrow Counties (RPR) offers Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and consultations; on-site training workshops for employees and supervisors to aid in identifying problems related to alcohol and other drug abuse and how to make appropriate referrals; employee in-service seminars and luncheon programs; pre-employment training to communicate company drug policies; and displays and educational materials for health fairs/staff lounges. For more information, contact Recovery & Prevention Resources at (740) 369-6811 or (419) 947-4055.


Tony Williams, a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor, has more than 25 years experience in addictions treatment. He currently serves as chief executive officer of Recovery and Prevention Resources of Delaware and Morrow Counties and is a board member for the Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers. He can be reached at 740-369-6811 or tw@rprdm.org.