Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) have been proactively assisting employees and family members with substance abuse issues over the last 30 years. With research finding that substance abuse is on the rise, now more than ever, employers need to be vigilant in their efforts to help troubled employees face and overcome their addiction.

In fact, of the 20.2 million adults classified with dependence or abuse in 2005, 15.5 million (or 76.7%) were employed, according to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “While treatment for substance-use disorders is cost effective and beneficial to the person in need, if left untreated, substance-abuse disorders not only impact a person’s health, but can also negatively affect all aspects of business, including financial losses, absenteeism, and overall employee morale,” says August Stieber, national sales director of Bensinger, DuPont & Associates, a national EAP firm. “September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, what a perfect time to give this issue the attention it needs.”

According to Stieber, research conducted by the Hazelden Foundation, a non-profit treatment and education organization, in the fall of 2006 indicated a significant concern among employers regarding employee substance abuse and its effects in the workplace. Of the 1,000 human resource (HR) professionals surveyed, 67% felt that substance abuse and addiction is one of the most serious issues they face in their company. The survey also revealed four personal hurdles HR professionals experience in helping employees with substance abuse and addiction issues in the workplace:

1. Lack of experience in identifying substance abuse and addiction (20%)
2. Lack of information regarding treatment options (16%)
3. Personal discomfort in approaching employees about the issue (13%)
4. Not having enough time to deal with substance abuse and addiction issues (13%)

Bensinger, DuPont & Associates, a privately-owned professional services company dedicated to promoting healthy outcomes, has also seen an increase in workers’ substance abuse and addiction issues when comparing the first half of 2006 with the first half of 2007 for its customer base:

• Substance abuse issues and mandatory referral by supervisors for substance abuse issues has doubled. 
• Referral for substance abuse services were made at a rate of 3 to 1, males versus females being referred for substance abuse services. 
• Request for services increased significantly within both the male and female population  

“EAPs are an effective resource for helping companies, specifically HR professionals, address substance abuse and addictions issues,” says Stieber. “EAPs can offer various interventions and programs to help companies deal with these concerns.” Some of the standard services EAPs offer are:

• Substance abuse and addiction training to supervisors
• Substance abuse assessment by professionals
• Methods to help management constructively address substance abuse issues in the workplace
• Information to help organizations understand the devastating effects of substance abuse in the workplace for employees and the employer’s bottom line

Editor’s note: Courtesy of Bensinger, DuPont & Associates. Reprinted with permission.