September 2004 is the 15^th Annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month celebration, and businesses across the country are encouraged to participate.  This month-long campaign highlights the significant strides made in substance abuse treatment and educates that addiction to alcohol and other drugs is a chronic, but treatable public health problem that impacts all segments of society, including the workplace. 

A nationwide telephone survey of 200 human resource professionals conducted by the Hazelden Foundation in 2003 revealed that nearly one-quarter of respondents’ companies are less likely to hire individuals in recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs, despite 89 percent believing treatment for addiction is effective.  Employers may have reservations about hiring workers in recovery for a number of reasons.  However, doing so can be well worth the investment, despite many perceived risks.  Addiction can be successfully treated, and countless people in recovery lead successful, productive lives and contribute positively to their communities.  Most are in the workforce, and in many cases are dedicated employees who attach special meaning to their jobs.

To help employers ensure their company supports employees addicted to alcohol or other drugs in getting treatment, achieving recovery and successfully returning to work, Hazelden developed a set of guidelines, titled 12 Steps Every Company can Take to Deal with Addicted Employees.  The U.S. Department of Labor’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program also recommends a number of steps employers can take to ensure their workplace is recovery friendly—during Recovery Month and all year round.  For example, Recovery Month provides a great opportunity to launch a new drug-free workplace program that educates employees about substance abuse basics, treatment options for people struggling with related problems and the company’s policy related to supporting individuals in recovery.  Recovery Month also presents an opportune time to remind employees about available employee assistance program (EAP) services.

In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) offers a free Recovery Month toolkit to assist businesses and other organizations in supporting and planning related activities in their communities.