Association Between Workplace Absenteeism and Alcohol Use Disorder From the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2015-2019

Source:

Parsley IC, Dale AM, Fisher SL, et al. Association Between Workplace Absenteeism and Alcohol Use Disorder From the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2015-2019. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e222954. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.2954

Key Points

Question  What is the association between alcohol use disorder (AUD) and workplace absenteeism?

Findings  In a nationally representative, cross-sectional sample of 110 701 full-time employed adults, mean days missed from work were statistically higher among individuals with AUD. The estimated mean number of annual days absent per individual increased in a stepwise fashion with increasing AUD severity.

Meaning  These results suggest that individuals with AUD disproportionately miss work, providing an economic rationale for policy makers and employers to prevent and provide treatment for this diagnosis.