According to a new report, alcohol problems in the workplace drain $185 billion from the U.S. economy each year. The report also recommends a solution backed by 30 years of research and 360 clinical trials--a practice called screening and brief intervention (SBI).

"Workplace Screening & Brief Intervention: What Employers Can and Should Do About Excessive Alcohol Use" was released in March 2008. It was produced by Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems, which is based at The George Washington University Medical Center.

"Workplace Screening & Brief Intervention" details the rates of alcohol problems (alcohol abuse and alcoholism) in 13 sectors of U.S. industry. Sectors with the highest rates of these problems were hospitality, construction and wholesale. The lowest rates were found in public administration, education and social services.

One finding was true across all sectors: Men are more likely to be alcohol abusers or alcoholics than women.

Based on its research, Ensuring Solutions developed a free, Web-based tool called the Alcohol Cost Calculator. Employers can use this calculator to estimate alcohol-related problems in their workforce, including the:

• Number of problem drinkers 
• Number of workdays lost to alcohol-related sickness and injury
• Annual costs of those lost workdays
• Health care costs related to alcohol problems, including emergency room visits and hospital stays

"Excessive alcohol use has a tremendous impact on workplace productivity and health," said Eric Goplerud, PhD, director of Ensuring Solutions. "This impact remains hidden--largely because alcohol-related problems are not addressed in many health care and employee assistance programs. The alcohol cost calculator provides a clear demonstration of the costs of untreated alcohol problems and the potential return on an investment in workplace screening and brief intervention."

In addition, the cost calculator estimates costs that employers can save by using screening and brief intervention (SBI). This intervention takes places in two stages: asking employees about their drinking habits and offering brief, confidential counseling for employees who drink in risky ways. SBI differs from drug testing in that it includes education and a referral to alcoholism treatment when appropriate.

During SBI, trained interviewers--such as physicians, nurses, and employee assistance counselors--use a short questionnaire to ask people about how much they drink, how often they drink, and the consequences of their drinking. Interviewers can pick from several reliable and valid questionnaires. A popular choice is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which includes questions such as:

• How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you started?
• How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking?
• Have you or someone else been injured as a result of your drinking?

If an employee's answers indicate alcohol abuse or alcoholism, then short-term counseling follows. This can include up to five sessions that may take as little as five minutes each. During this time, employees explore the personal risks associated with their drinking, commit to reduce or stop drinking, and learn about ways to get help.

SBI is based on a finding that simply asking people about their drinking can reduce rates of alcohol abuse. According to the Ensuring Solutions report, even brief interventions at crucial moments--such as after a traffic accident or DWI conviction--can lead to immediate reduction in drinking or other drug use.

"Alcohol problems affect every workplace, with some industries paying a tremendous price," said Goplerud. "It's in the interest of every employer to do something. Screening and brief intervention is a proven approach that promises to effectively reduce workplace alcohol problems."

Ensuring Solutions Report

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) has developed a Drug-Free Workplace Kit that is suitable for workplaces of all sizes. It provides workplaces with practical evidence-based information, resources and tools for producing and maintaining drug-free workplace policies and programs. To receive a copy, call 1-877-726-4727 or go online. Hazelden offers resources for employers as well, including "Twelve Steps for Building Proactive Company Culture to Address Addiction." 

Published June 23, 2008