Providing affordable access to quality alcohol treatment through employee assistance programs (EAPs) and comprehensive health insurance benefits can save employers money by reducing healthcare expenses for injuries and illnesses, decreasing absenteeism, improving job productivity and reducing employee turnover. But ensuring that employees with alcohol problems get the help they need doesn't end there: To protect their investment in an employee's treatment and to help employees resume their contributions to the company, employers also must ensure that workers can successfully reintegrate into the workplace.

Dependence on alcohol, known as alcoholism, is a chronic disease. Like other chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes, alcoholism is a treatable and manageable condition. Treating alcoholism is effective in reducing symptoms and health complications, which in turn reduces the healthcare costs associated with the disease. A study by Holder and Blose showed that after six months, alcoholism treatment had reduced healthcare costs by as much as 55% from their highest pre-treatment levels—even when the cost of treatment was included. In addition, a 2002 literature review on the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefits of substance use treatment found returns ranging from $4 to $23 for every dollar invested in treatment.

People who have completed treatment programs for alcohol dependence are considered to be in recovery. As with any chronic disease, recovering from addiction takes time—anywhere from a few months to many years—and relapses may occur. Learning to manage addiction is a key component of recovery. But to maintain sobriety and reengage in their everyday roles and activities, people in recovery often need the support of family, friends, coworkers and supervisors.

What Employers Can Do

People with alcohol problems must overcome a number of risks and barriers—including stigmatization, fear of losing their jobs and strained relationships with family members and coworkers—to even get treatment. Returning to work after treatment has ended and recovery has begun can be just as difficult.

The Americans With Disabilities Act protects people who have disabilities from being discriminated against because of their condition. Workers who are in recovery from alcoholism are covered under the act in most circumstances.

Employers can take many steps to help employees who are in recovery, including

• Providing flexible hours for employees, which allows people in recovery to attend treatment-related meetings, support groups and counseling sessions.

• Respecting employee confidentiality. Employers may not know who among their workforce is in recovery, but if they do, they must recognize and appreciate the delicate balance between wanting to help and respecting an employee's need and desire for privacy.

• Offering affordable health insurance benefits that provide comprehensive coverage for alcohol problems, including screening, treatment and aftercare.

• Ensuring that company EAPs provide education, screening, and follow-up services for worker alcohol problems.

EAPs Can Help Support Employee Recovery

Many companies provide EAPs to help employees with problems that negatively affect their job performance. Employees who receive any kind of treatment for an alcohol problem often require careful monitoring of their progress—or follow-up—both during and after treatment to help them maintain sobriety. An EAP can help employees in recovery by establishing an individualized plan to monitor their progress and meet their recovery goals. And, EAP follow-up services benefit employers as well: Research suggests that providing thorough follow-up through an EAP can consolidate treatment gains in employee health and productivity and help reduce alcohol-related disability claims.

Employers who offer health insurance coverage for alcohol treatment that includes continuing care, such as ongoing outpatient access to psychological or group counseling services, stand to see the biggest gains from EAP follow-up.

For More Information

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
www.health.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse
www.nida.nih.gov

Employee Assistance Professionals Association
www.eapassn.org