Search
 

How to help employers address opioid addiction in the workplace

Your clients may not know the best approach for supporting employees who are dealing with opioid addiction.

By Jeff Guardalabene | Updated on January 16, 2018
Signs of opioid abuse in an employee are often more subtle than those in someone abusing alcohol at work. (Image: Shutterstock)

The numbers around the opioid epidemic are startling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the amount of prescription opioids sold in the U.S. has nearly quadrupled since 1999. The use and abuse of opioids is rapidly escalating — so much so, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services declared it a public health emergency in October.

This epidemic can present a unique challenge to employers. While many prescription opioids can have a beneficial effect for patients with significant pain when taken as prescribed, there can be inherent risks and dangers when they are taken improperly, including accidents leading to injury and potential overdose deaths.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

Rising Stars: BenefitsPRO Luminaries 2024 Honorees

Rising Stars: BenefitsPRO Luminaries 2024 Honorees

BenefitsPRO Editors |

This category honors individuals and organizations who have been in the industry for five or fewer years but have already made an immediate and outsized impact on their colleagues, organizations, clients or the industry as a whole.

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.