Reflection on our Article: Addiction in the Workplace; How to make your workplace drug-free

Seeing that the average employee spends approximately 30% of their life working, the workplace should be one that allows an employee to feel comfortable to share the significant life problems they are facing in hopes they will be addressed by their HR department and hopefully given assistance to turn their problems into positive solutions. The workplace should be an important and effective place to address alcoholism and other drug issues by establishing or promoting programs focused on improving health and one’s overall mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Yet, what is staggering is that most Americans who suffer from a substance-use disorder continue to hold down a job without their employer knowing that they are under the influence. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), 70% of the estimated 14.8 million Americans who use illegal drugs are employed. In addition, most of these employees are binge drinkers.

Due to these statistics, we were elated that HR.com asked our Chief Executive Officer, Becky Flood to share her thoughts on how to combat substance-use in the workplace and how to ultimately create an environment that is free of decreased productivity and increased accidents, absenteeism, turnover, medical costs by creating one that supports people suffering from alcoholism and addiction. At New Directions for Women, Becky believes that it is vital to work alongside the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to create a program that address a variety of issues affecting one’s ability to work such as: alcohol and drug abuse problems, emotional and mental health problems, marital and family problems, financial problems, and dependent care concerns.

We believe that by implementing a drug-free workplace and offering health benefits that provide comprehensive coverage for substance use disorders, including aftercare and counseling as well as reducing stigma in the workplace, we will ultimately improve morale and prevent the negative impacts that come with addiction in the workplace.

New Directions for Women (NDFW) is a drug and alcohol rehab and detox treatment provider offering services for women, pregnant women, women with children up to 13 years of age. For nearly 4 decades, we have expanded to become an internationally recognized, comfortable, luxury, attractive 30-bed residential rehab located in Southern California (CA) in Costa Mesa, near Newport Beach’s Back Bay and Nature Preserve. State licensed and certified, our award winning facility touts a very high recovery rate.

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol and chemical dependence, please do not hesitate to reach out. Help is available. New Directions for Women believes to love her is to help her. To speak to one of our caring staff members, call 1-800-93-WOMEN.