September is National Recovery Month—a time to recognize people in recovery and the communities, families, and organizations that support them. For employers, it is also an opportunity to consider how the workplace can contribute to recovery.
The Substance Abuse Mental Health Association (SAMHSA) describes recovery as a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and work toward their full potential. Over 50 million Americans consider themselves to be in recovery. Recovery is a personal journey, but people do not recover in isolation and the environments of people’s everyday lives play a significant role in successful recovery- especially the workplace. Four dimensions support recovery: health, home, purpose, and community; meaningful employment can be an important part of purpose, while a supportive workplace can contribute to connection and community.
For employers, supporting recovery means creating a workplace where employees can access support, maintain their recovery, and contribute their skills and experience in meaningful ways.
Why the Workplace Matters
Employment can provide more than income. A job can offer structure, relationships, purpose, stability, and a sense of belonging—all factors that can support a person’s recovery.
SAMHSA’s 2026 National Recovery Month campaign emphasizes that recovery is strengthened when employers, housing, peer support, treatment, community support, and other resources work together as a network.
Employers are in a unique position to be part of that network.
- A recovery-supportive workplace can help employees: Maintain meaningful employment while navigating treatment or recovery.
- Build supportive relationships with coworkers and supervisors.
- Access health care, behavioral health, and recovery resources.
- Maintain financial and housing stability through employment.
- Develop a sense of purpose and connection.
- Return to work after treatment or other periods away from the workplace.
What Is a Recovery-Friendly Workplace?
A recovery-friendly workplace does not look the same in every organization. It can include policies, benefits, education, communication practices, and workplace culture that make it easier for employees to seek help and remain connected to work.
Employers can support recovery by:
- Reducing stigma: Use respectful, person-centered language when discussing opioid use disorder, treatment, and recovery.
- Providing education: Help managers and employees understand OUD, treatment options, recovery, and available workplace resources.
- Reviewing benefits: Understand whether health insurance, Employee Assistance Programs, paid leave, and other benefits provide meaningful access to treatment and recovery support.
- Creating pathways to help: Make it easy for employees to find information about treatment, peer support, recovery resources, and other services.
- Supporting flexibility when possible: Consider how scheduling, leave, or other workplace practices can help employees participate in treatment and maintain employment.
- Training supervisors: Give managers the tools to respond appropriately when an employee is struggling rather than expecting them to diagnose or treat a substance use disorder.
- Building community partnerships: Develop relationships with local treatment providers, recovery organizations, and other community resources before an employee needs them.
Recovery Happens Through Connection
Addiction can be isolating. A workplace can either reinforce that isolation or become a place where people experience connection that supports long-term recovery.
National Recovery Month is a reminder that recovery is possible, and when employers commit to being recovery-friendly, they become part of a larger network that support people in their recovery.
Authored by Kate Stuart
Kate Stuart is a systems change leader and the founder of Frame Consulting, a consultancy that supports organizations and communities through positive change processes with technical assistance, capacity-building, and strategic action. Kate specializes in addressing how intersecting, overlapping factors impact communities, generating the cross-sector investment and support to make positive change possible. Her work over the last 15 years has sparked lasting shifts that have benefited communities throughout Oregon and Arizona.