Employees worry retribution will result from drug treatment.

Approximately 20% of insured employees fear that harmful consequence will result if they seek alcohol or drug addiction treatment offered through their employer’s health insurance, according to the Hazelden Foundation.

The Minnesota-based company’s “Workplace Recovery Benefits Survey” found that employees are concerned about retribution, such as failure to get a promotion, losing a license or being fired from seeking such treatment. Though 77% of respondents feel alcohol and drug treatment should be offered, more than one in six would be reluctant to seek the insurance coverage.

“Employers must communicate – and demonstrate – that workers won’t be discriminated against if they seek alcohol or drug treatment,” observes William Moyers, VP of External Affairs for Hazelden. “[They] must take steps to continually empower employees to seek help before problems arise.”

The survey reports that more than one-third of workers are aware of a colleague who has an alcohol or drug problem and 82% feel co-workers would benefit from employer-sponsored drug treatment coverage.


Submitted by CorpCare Associates