Drug Treatment Option

It has been estimated that about 10 % of the people in the American workforce (12.8 million workers) have been at work either under the influence of alcohol or with a hangover at least once in the previous 12 months (Levinthal, 2012, p. 239). Many individuals are under the assumption that people working under the influence of drugs and alcohol are hazardous to the work environment. Their behaviors decrease public safety, increase accidents, and they produce less than their coworkers. "Given the adverse impact of chronic alcohol abuse on a range of workplace behaviors, it makes sense that corporations, hospitals, the armed services, and other large organizations should benefit by establishing workplace programs specifically designed for employees who need help" (Levinthal, 2012, p. 240). Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and Member Assistance Programs (MAPs) are two programs designed to support employees with alcohol or drug abuse problems. The purpose of this paper is to explain employee assistance programs, how they can help an employee struggling with drug addiction, identify, and compare an inpatient treatment program and an outpatient treatment program, and explain treatment modalities offered by the programs. Lastly, characteristics of successful programs will by identified.

In 1988, the Drug-Free Workplace Act required companies and businesses receiving federal contracts or grants to provide a drug-free workplace. Because of this stipulation, companies established secondary prevention programs to continue drug education and awareness. Secondary prevention programs are directed to individuals who have already been exposed to drugs and alcohol with the intention to reduce use of illicit drugs. The goal or objective of these secondary programs is "to limit the extent of substance abuse (reducing it, if possible), to prevent the spread of abuse behavior beyond the drugs the individual has already encountered, and to teach strategies for the responsible use of alcohol" (Levinthal, 2012, p. 360). Examples of secondary prevention programs are Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and Member Assistance Programs (MAPs). EAPs are sponsored by employers whereas MAPs are sponsored and supervised by labor unions. Employees and their family can use assistance programs. These programs provide benefits and services related to drug treatment, among many other services; they offer tools and resources specifically designed to help employees and members deal with problem such as drug addiction or alcoholism (recoveryfirst.org). An employee or member is referred to a professional counselor, who assesses the issue and makes a confidential referral to a treatment program based on the employee's specific needs (treatment4addiction.com). Assistance from these programs is confidential and will provide an employee with assistance without jeopardizing his or her job. "Once an employee or member has requested assistance for a