Navigating Addiction in the Workplace

The opioid crisis continues to present significant challenges to businesses and communities alike. Addressing this issue in the workplace is not just a matter of social responsibility but also a critical aspect of risk management.

Why Employers Should Be Concerned

The opioid epidemic is now in its third decade, which at this point makes it a fact of life, one with significant implications for workplace safety and productivity.  Overdose-related workplace fatalities have steadily risen for approximately 10 consecutive years, according to federal occupational data.

There were 512 deaths attributed to unintentional overdoses from non-medical drug or alcohol use on the job, representing 9.7% of all occupational injury deaths in 2023, according to the 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Opioids were the primary source of 162 fatalities and a contributor in an additional 144 fatalities where multiple drugs were the source, according to the census.

Several factors contribute to opioid exposure among employees, including:

  • Workplace Injuries: Both on- and off-the-job injuries can lead to opioid prescriptions through workers’ compensation, employee health benefits, or private medical treatment.

  • Medical, Dental, and Surgical Procedures: Prescription opioids are often provided post-procedure, leading to potential misuse.

  • Leftover Pain Medication: Unused opioids in households increase the risk of diversion and misuse by young adults and family members.

The introduction of fentanyl in the last decade significantly escalated the crisis. Fentanyl-involved opioid deaths drove a spike in overall overdose deaths by over 23-fold from 2013 to 2023, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. 

Starting in the second half of 2023 and continuing in 2024, overdose deaths in the US started to decline according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A myriad of factors are being analyzed to determine why. The decline was not universal and varied from state to state, but the number of Americans dying of overdoses remains at or over 100,000 per year. 

Overcoming Barriers to Workplace Prevention

My friend and colleague, Cal Beyer, senior director of SAFE Workplaces at SAFE Project, is my go-to for the latest thinking in overdose risk management. 

Despite the clear risks to companies that don’t proactively engage in workplace overdose protection, Beyer identified several barriers to implementation:

  • Stigma: Many employers perceive opioid misuse as a community issue rather than a workplace concern, failing to recognize its impact across all industries.

  • Industry-Specific Risks: Construction leads all industry groups in overdose rates, primarily due to the high frequency of musculoskeletal injuries and limited paid leave options.

  • Misconceptions About Naloxone: Some employers fear that stocking naloxone will encourage drug use rather than recognize its life-saving potential.

  • Disparities in Opioid Prescriptions: Although opioid prescribing in workers’ compensation has decreased, geographic disparities remain, particularly in rural areas

  • Lack of Employee Education: Employers often miss opportunities to provide guidance on pain management and safe medication storage when employees take leave for medical procedures.

Actionable Steps for Employers

Beyer also told me that now more than ever, overdose prevention should be a priority for employers. He also shared what steps can be taken to mitigate risk.

To create a safer work environment, employers can engage in:

  1. Employee Education: Raise awareness about opioid risks through initiatives like the Billion Pill Pledge and provide educational toolbox talks.

  2. Injury Prevention: Focus on musculoskeletal injury prevention by implementing ergonomic best practices, body mechanics training, and material-handling devices to reduce strain and repetitive motions.

  3. Opioid Risk Stand-Downs: Conduct company-wide discussions on opioid risks and safety measures.

  4. Safe Medication Disposal: Distribute chemical deactivation products like Deterra, Rx Destroyer, and DisposeRx to help employees safely dispose of leftover pain medication.

  5. Review Health Plan Policies: Work with insurance providers to ensure pharmacy formularies include alternatives to opioids and allow co-dispensing of naloxone.

  6. Stock Naloxone in First-Aid Kits: Equip workplaces and job sites with naloxone and train supervisors to recognize overdose symptoms and administer the medication.

Measuring Effectiveness

To gauge the success of these initiatives, Beyer  says employers should:

  • Regularly ask employees to identify the location of naloxone in the workplace.

  • Ensure employees can recognize and describe common signs and symptoms of an overdose.

  • Track the distribution and use of drug deactivation products, encouraging private feedback on medication disposal.

A Call to Action for Employers

The opioid epidemic affects workplaces in every industry, making prevention and preparedness essential components of a comprehensive risk management strategy. By implementing these measures, employers can save lives, reduce liability, and foster a safer work environment.

For more resources on workplace overdose prevention, visit SAFE Project.

SIDEBAR
Recommendations for employers seeking opiate addiction treatment for employees

Generally, addiction treatment is not a “one-size” fits all approach. There is a spectrum of services that exist from inpatient, to intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization programs, and even virtual treatment programs. There are medications and other forms of treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).  

By spending time to understand the behavioral health services available in either employer-sponsored group health plans or union-sponsored health and welfare plans, employers can better fit mental health resources to their workforce. 

Sharing resources with employees is important in Open Enrollment meetings and in informational documents available online or distributed. 

Community-based addiction and recovery services are often the most logical place for employers to begin their search. This includes both 12-step and non-12 step programs, as well as services available through certified peer support professionals. As more organizations adopt a mindset and culture of Recovery-Ready Workplaces, peer to peer support programs continue to expand. 

To effectively address the opioid crisis,Cal Beyer, Cal Beyer, senior director of SAFE Workplaces at SAFE Project, recommends communities and families deploy a full spectrum of strategies: 

  • Prevent new cases of opioid use through awareness education and providing alternatives to opioids for pain management.

  • Improve access to addiction treatment and recovery services, including medication supported treatment.

  • Offer harm reduction resources to protect persons who are actively using opioids. 

The most common harm reduction method seen in construction workplaces is stocking naloxone to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship workforce development programs have shared other harm reduction resources to share broadly with family members and neighbors, including guidance to never use alone, and distributing test strips to detect the presence of fentanyl in the drugs to be used.

Additional resources: 

This article originally appeared on IRMI.com.