Estimating Absenteeism Related to Nonalcohol Substance Use in a US National Cohort of Full-Time Employees. Issue 11 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morgan, Jake R.; Murphy, Sean M.; Assoumou, Sabrina A.; Linas, Benjamin P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 64:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 899
• Page End: 904
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: absenteeism -- employer cost -- opioid use disorder -- substance use disorder -- treatment; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002612
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : This work reveals a high unmet need for substance use disorder treatment among full-time employees and this negatively affects productivity. There may be opportunities for clinical interventions targeting this demographic and working with employers to implement workplace programs increasing access to treatment and services benefitting both employee and employer. Abstract : Objective: We aimed to estimate absenteeism due to substance use disorder among full-time employees. Methods: We used the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to identify a sample of individuals employed full time. We used a survey-weighted multivariable negative binomial model to evaluate the association between absenteeism and type of substance use disorder controlling for available demographic information. Results: In the adjusted model, we estimated that opioid use without a disorder had the highest absenteeism for use, and polysubstance use disorder had the highest absenteeism among use disorders. In a hypothetical firm of 10, 000 employees, we estimate $232, 000 of lost wage value annually. Conclusions: Substance use is associated with absenteeism and presents a compelling argument for employers to promote programs that support treatment for employees and reduce downstream costs associated with absenteeism and turnover.