Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Can Boost 
Bottom Line Among Construction Companies
by Krista Blaisdell

(Las Vegas) - Drug and alcohol abuse is by no means a new problem. Neither is it a problem that can be isolated from the construction industry. According to Dr. Michael Levy, a Las Vegas physician specializing in the medical treatment of addiction, substance abuse is harmful not only to workers, but also to the enterprises that employ them, with serious repercussions in terms of workplace productivity and liability.

Some 10 percent of the U.S. workforce, approximately 14.9 million full- and part-time employees, regularly abuse or are dependent on alcohol or drugs, according to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found in an analysis of workplace drug use that the greatest percentage, 15.6 percent, of employees reporting illicit drug use were construction workers, while handlers, helpers, and laborers made up 10.6 percent. 

From a business perspective, one can certainly see the effects of addiction on the bottom line of a construction enterprise,? said Levy, whose medical practice is the only private practice dedicated solely to medical evaluation and treatment of substance abuse and addiction. ?Substance abuse in the workplace often leads to increased absenteeism, on-site accidents, errors in judgment, which lead to higher legal expenses, as well as decreased productivity and employee morale.?

In 1995, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported alcohol and drug abuse cost American businesses an estimated $81 billion in lost productivity in just one year. The National Association of Treatment Providers estimated alcoholism to cause 500 million lost workdays annually. 

Medical science has proven that addiction is a disease of the brain. However, a negative stigma is still attached to drug abuse and alcoholism,? said Levy. ?While most employers may not want to admit addiction is an issue in his or her business, some 75 to 80 percent of those that abuse alcohol or illicit drugs are employed.?

Despite these recent studies, executives educate employees, managers and human resources representatives to aid in the treatment of addiction and, as a result, limit workplace liability and insurance costs, as well as improve productivity and decrease absenteeism. 

According to Levy, today?s outpatient treatment programs often allow individuals to undergo confidential, successful treatment while maintaining job responsibilities. In fact, new drug therapies and intensive outpatient programs provide treatment outcomes for addiction similar to those of other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma, according to the American Medical Association.

A business stands to benefit substantially by addressing addiction in the workplace and getting good medical treatment for employees that need it,? said Levy. ?A company?s commitment to alcohol and drug abuse treatment can help increase job performance, motivation and morale, as well as reduce accidents, employee theft and fraud, insurance claims and workers? compensation costs.?

Levy said addiction treatment has a great impact not only on an employee, but also on the bottom line.

Company Name: Impress Communications
Website: www.impresslv.com
Author: Krista Blaisdell
E-Mail: krista@impresslv.com
Address: 2800 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 7F
City: Las Vegas
State: NV
Zip: 89102