How to Deal With Employee Substance Abuse

It may seem unlikely that a gainfully employed individual is struggling with a substance abuse issue. According to a 2011 study from the US Department of Health and Human Services, of the 18.9 million adults classified as having problems with substance dependence or abuse, 52% of them were employed full time. This makes this a very real problem for employers. Often those who have substance abuse issues are exceptional at hiding these struggles.

Having employees who struggle with substance abuse can be costly to your business. Typically it results in:

Safety risks for other employees
Increased healthcare costs for illness and injuries
Increased rates of absenteeism
Reductions in productivity and performance

Any of these outcomes have the ability to affect not only your bottom line but your company’s culture and reputation. Identifying an employee’s substance abuse problem can be challenging however there are some common identifiers including:

Recurrent financial or legal problems
Frequent bouts of absenteeism without notice
Failure to fulfill personal, social and business related obligations
Personality imbalances – frequent “highs and lows”

Handling substance abuse problems with employees is a touchy, delicate subject as often people are embarrassed, ashamed and in denial about these struggles. Dealing with this requires a patient, strategic approach. Employer Solutions Plus is well versed in all elements of employee management and can point you in the right direction for help with employee substance abuse and compliance. If you already work with a PEO, consult your team for advice; PEOs are experts in employee management and will ensure that the situation is approached correctly.