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.
As a result of the increasing prevalence, employers are being challenged to address the misuse of opioids at work. They need a better understanding of the definition of impairment since the signs of abuse are subtle. Plus, employers should revisit the administration of workplace drug testing, as the average drug test focuses on illegal substances, not prescription misuse. Because of this, it is pertinent for employers to be well-versed and proactive in addressing opioid abuse in the workplace.
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Your clients may not know the best approach for supporting employees who are dealing with opioid addiction. To help them, here are a few ways to help provide guidance on managing potential opioid misuse in the workplace.
Identifying misuse
Signs of opioid abuse in an employee are often more subtle than those in someone abusing alcohol at work. An employee under the influence of opioid medication may seem relaxed and fully functional — some are and will stay this way — but careful and educated observation over time can be revealing.
Signs of abuse include mood swings, fluctuations in energy level and even moments of nodding off at their desk or elsewhere. As the drug begins to wear off, many will show evidence of withdrawal, including irritability, gastrointestinal distress and removing themselves from workplace activities or social contact.
Opioid misuse can become serious quickly, so educating your clients on these symptoms and providing resources, such as management training, can help them spot signs of substance abuse that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Addressing the issue
Identifying opioid abuse in the workplace is only the first step to addressing a very complicated issue. You can play an important role in helping your clients by recommending these proactive measures to address abuse in their organizations. These steps can include:
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Educating the workforce about the dangers of using opioids in the workplace
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Revising their organization's management training to help managers spot signs of addiction
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Updating workplace policies to focus on the ongoing epidemic of opioid use and abuse
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Including opioid screening in workplace drug-testing programs
In abuse cases, HR policies should be vetted to include treatment options for employees, when possible. Clients can benefit by working with employee assistance providers and disability insurance carriers that can help ensure an employee, who may be at-risk, is referred to the proper treatment. Disability carriers also can be instrumental in putting together a plan that helps the employee get the resources he or she needs to recover from abuse and, if necessary, return to work while receiving treatment.
The opioid epidemic is challenging workplaces and shows no signs of slowing. With education, proactive measures and a plan for addressing misuse, your clients can help support employees with substance abuse issues, ultimately making the workplace safer for all.
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