When Substance Use Disorder Becomes A Workplace Problem

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) doesn’t just affect individuals; it affects the workplace and can be costly. About 1 in 14 employees struggle with SUD, often while still on the job.

For employers, the impact is hard to ignore. The National Safety Council estimates substance-related issues cost U.S. businesses over $80 billion each year in lost productivity, accidents, absenteeism, and turnover. In fact, employees with SUD are linked to up to 50% higher absenteeism rates compared to their peers.

Safety is another major concern. Workers affected by SUD are 2 to 4 times more likely to be involved in workplace accidents, which can put entire teams, customers, and operations at risk, especially in high-demand industries like construction, transportation, and healthcare.

Drug testing has become the standard in business. Drug testing is not about targeting people; it’s about prevention. Pre-employment, random, and post-incident testing help employers reduce risk, stay compliant, and maintain a safer, audit-ready, and reliable workforce.

At the end of the day, safer employees build stronger businesses.