Fentanyl Is Wreaking Havoc on the Workplace. Here’s How to Handle It.
Opinion: Employees are bringing the opioid crisis to the workplace. But bosses and coworkers can be substantial things to help.
Our Opioid Impact Team members, emergency room physician Nick Vasquez MD, and marketing professional and mother of a young adult in recovery Debra Stevens, put together an op-ed which you can read here on AZCentral. This article focuses on Fentanyl, its impact on the workplace, and what you can do as an employer or coworker to support individuals dealing with Opioid Use Disorder.
As the fentanyl crisis continues, death by overdose has grown so substantially that it contributed to a lower overall life expectancy rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As we shake our heads and say ”what a shame,” the reality is that opioid abuse, including fentanyl, is happening right in front of us. It’s a growing public and occupational health issue.
Contrary to popular perceptions, many individuals with a substance use disorder are employed.
And most misuse originates from prescribed medication to relieve chronic physical pain, depression and anxiety, the most common pre-existing conditions.
The opioid crisis has hit the workplace
Given the stats, it’s likely that employees are bringing the opioid crisis with them to the workplace. Or your employees may be caring for a loved one who has misused opioids and needs help.
The U.S. economic burden of prescription opioid misuse is more than $78.5 billion per year, including costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment and criminal justice involvement.
And that National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health report was generated in 2017; the opioids crisis has only worsened since.
Arizona’s Department of Health Services tracks opioid-related emergency and hospitalization costs, which hit $2 billion in 2021.
The personal cost is inestimable.
Treat addiction as a disease, not a failure
The stigma associated with Opioid Use Disorder is a significant barrier to recovery. Employees who want to get treatment often fail to take the first step for fear of losing their job and health benefits.
It’s time for Arizona employers to treat drug addiction like a disease rather than as a moral failing.
A good start is to begin open conversations that address Opioid Use Disorder as other chronic diseases, such as cancer or diabetes.
Workplace policies that encourage employees to be honest about their disease, cover medically assisted treatment and support their long-term recovery are ideal ways to begin more fully tackling the problem.
Employers must help staff with OUD
Through Valley Leadership’s Impact Maker program, we’ve led a group of volunteers that have created an evidence-based opioid tool kit for organizations of any size.
Visit oudbiztoolkit.org for resources and templates to make OUD a safe topic to discuss at your office and create an environment where employees can speak up, seek treatment and achieve recovery.
How can this help your organization?
Current research points to reduced business costs, lower turnover, increased employee loyalty and a stronger reputation for an organization as an employer of choice.
Without treatment, long-term recovery is rare.
But with supportive employer policies and a commitment to treatment, people in recovery can be your most engaged and committed employees.
Nick Vasquez, MD, is an emergency room physician and heads the Valley Leadership Impact Maker health care focus. Debra Stevens is a marketing professional and mother of a young adult in recovery. Both are Valley Leadership volunteers working to improve the long-term health of our community. Reach them at nicholas.vasquez@me.com; Dstevens19@cox.net.