Can people with an SUD still hold down full time jobs?
It is no secret that there is a stigma around people with substance use disorder (SUD), especially those struggling with addiction in the workplace. In fact, people who struggle with SUD themselves even fall victim to believing the stigma that addiction can be fixed without treatment. In a study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2014, over 26% of people said they do not receive help for their addiction because they believe their SUD can be handled without treatment.
Surprisingly, most adults who struggle with substance abuse are employed full time, regardless of their addiction. However, there are thousands of companies that implement drug testing programs that may test pre-employment or during employment through randomized testing which can put someone with a SUD in jeopardy.
How does addiction affect employment?
A study conducted by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) found that “more than 70 percent of those abusing illicit drugs in America are employed, as are most binge drinkers.” So yes, it is possible for those struggling with SUD to find a job and keep employment while abusing drugs and/or alcohol. However, injuries in the workplace are common in those with a SUD, and even worse, fatalities can also occur if substances are brought into the workplace or used prior to a shift.
It is important to note that just because people can be high functioning at the workplace does not mean that they should forego treatment or assume they do not need help. So, what does it mean to be a high functioning alcoholic or addict? These people are able to perform everyday tasks despite their addiction, but may still face hangovers and many physical problems related to their SUD. High functioning addicts are more likely to be better at hiding the effects of their SUD, such as claiming a hangover headache is due to stress at work.
Mental health and the workplace
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans have reported having a mental illness, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Naturally, the majority of these people have held or currently hold a job position despite their mental illness. Yes, addiction is a mental illness; however, some people have co-occurring disorders such as an SUD paired with depression or anxiety. According to the CDC, “Depression interferes with a person’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduces cognitive performance about 35% of the time.”
Some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAP) such as counseling or intervention or bring a substance abuse professional (SAP) into the workplace to help those with SUDs. Either way, there are options for those struggling in the workplace to receive the help they need. Be sure to ask your employer about your options. If your employer does not offer any type of assistance, you can check out On Demand Occupational Medicine, located in the Mahoning Valley of Ohio, and work with your employer to implement these crucial services.
How does addiction affect family members in the workplace?
Addiction Center claims that “Over 26 percent of employed adults have substance abuse or addiction in their family. Over 42 percent of these employees felt their productivity suffer as a result.” Just because a family member isn’t suffering with an SUD themselves doesn’t mean their day-to-day activities aren’t affected. Those struggling with addiction in their families can become easily distracted at work due to at-home problems, leading to decreased productivity and unfortunate workplace accidents.
