Substance Use in the Workplace: Reflecting on 2024 and Preparing for 2025

As 2024 draws to a close, workplaces have an opportunity to reflect on the most recent data and implement strategies to support employees struggling with substance use or in recovery. Insights from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the most up-to-date source available, provide a roadmap for tackling these challenges effectively.

Key Insights from 2023 Data

1. Substance Use Trends:
   • 17.9% of people aged 18 or older (46.3 million people) had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.1
   • 21.8% of people aged 12 or older (61.8 million people) used marijuana in the past year, with significant increases linked to state-level legalization.1
   • 47.5% of people aged 12 or older (or 134.7 million people) used alcohol in the past year. Among them, 21.7% (or 61.4 million people) engaged in binge drinking.1
2. Prescription Drug Misuse:
   • 8.6 million people misused prescription pain relievers in 2023, emphasizing the workplace risks associated with opioids.1
3. Mental Health and Recovery:
   • Co-occurring substance use and mental health challenges remain prevalent, underscoring the need for comprehensive workplace policies.1,2

Tools and Training Resources

1. Training Programs:
   • Employers can access specialized workplace substance use training through resources such as our programs at NDWA.org to better equip their teams with intervention and prevention strategies.
2. Recovery-Ready Workplace Guide3:
   • The U.S. government’s Recovery-Ready Workplace Guide provides actionable recommendations, including:
     • Incorporating prevention strategies to reduce workplace injuries and substance use triggers.
     • Creating policies supporting employees through treatment and recovery.
     • Integrating naloxone (Narcan) into first-aid protocols

Workplace Strategies for 2024

1. Education and Awareness:
   • Train employees and supervisors on recognizing signs of substance misuse and understanding workplace policies.
   • Provide resources on addiction and recovery through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
2. Overdose Preparedness:
   • Equip workplaces with naloxone to mitigate opioid overdoses and train staff in its administration.
3. Creating Supportive Environments:
   • Foster a recovery-friendly culture with flexible return-to-work policies and wellness programs to support long-term recovery.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the new year, the 2023 data serves as a foundation to create workplaces that are both safe and supportive. By leveraging these insights and available tools, employers can lead the charge in promoting recovery, reducing risks, and empowering employees to thrive.

Sources:

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH): Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-nsduh-annual-national-report.
2. National Safety Council. (2024). Workplace safety and health: Respond ready workplace program. National Safety Council. https://www.nsc.org.
3. White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. (2024). Recovery-ready workplace guide. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/recovery-ready-workplace-guide/.