One of the biggest risks for companies is in employees that put their own health and safety, as well as the company, at risk due to untreated substance abuse or addictions. We have known for years about the costs to business of alcohol and drug abuse -- increased health care costs, increased accidents and injury, lower productivity, and risk to companies through litigation. The increased use of substances like methamphetamines have increased the visibility of these issues and the sense of urgency for many employers, as they see firsthand the impact of addiction on the well-being and safety of employees.

As a manager or supervisor, these issues may lead to some of your biggest challenges. Balancing safety with relationships, balancing the need for productivity and performance with "local-style" ways, it can be a challenge to know how to handle these situations well. We're here to help.

All of our counselors are trained in assessing substance use and abuse and helping employees find the best way to get whatever education or treatment they may need to help them. Employees who self-refer to us, who are referred by a supervisor, or who come in after a positive drug/alcohol test at the worksite, all receive a throrough (2-hour) assessment which includes different forms of testing so that we can properly assess what they may need, help them get what they need, and monitor them through the process until they are ready to be reevaluated for return-to-work by their employer. We have specially trained counselors who have been certified as Substance Abuse Professionals for Department of Transportation Safety Sensitive employees -- who can assess employees such as airline pilots and drivers with a Commercial Driver's License and mechanics in these industries where the public safety is at risk if there is an impairment from drugs or alcohol.

We are also able to help those impacted by drug and alcohol abuse/misuse/addiction. Supervisors may call for support and education dealing with these issues, as can family members of those impacted. We also provide companies with trainings on these issues, or to comply with DOT regulations in these areas.

Your employees can come in on their own volition just by calling us. You won't even know they came in (unless they are jeopardizing the public safety in a Safety-Sensitive position like a pilot where we must consider the safety of the public above confidentiality).

You can formally refer individuals due to perfomance issues that may be alcohol- or drug-related using the Formal Supervisory Referral process.

You can call us for feedback or suggestions, including how to do Reasonable Suspicion ("For Cause") Testing. If your company does not have forms for this (ask your HR department first), we have a Reasonable Suspicion Checklist that can help.

And, if an employee tests positive for drugs or alcohol, you can refer them (here's the SAP Referral Form) and we'll take care of them, assess them, and make suggestions on what kind of treatment or education they may need. We'll follow through with them, making sure they are in compliance of our recommendations, and inform you when they have completed our recommendations (or if they are not in compliance.) Then, we'll give you a testing schedule so you know how often you should continue testing them as they return back to work.

And, we are available to train your staff or your company on these issues.

So give us a call if you need any advice or some help. We'll walk you through the process and support YOU through any challenges ahead as well!