Employers correctly focus on the human cost of substance use and the toll it can take on employees and their families. However, it also exposes the business itself to substantial costs.

For example, binge drinking alone generates $249 billion in annual health care related costs and decreased employee productivity. When expenses related to the use of other substances, such as cannabis, are factored in, the potential impact of substance use to employers, health plans and other organizations is significant.

"When we think about substance use, it's common to focus on those who have a diagnosed substance use disorder," said Dr. Terri-Lynn MacKay, mental health director for ALAViDA Substance Use, a product of LifeSpeak Inc. "However, the highest cost to employers is lost productivity by employees with statistically average consumption of substances."