As employers begin to understand the opioid crisis, they must also be aware of the steps that they can take to prevent opioid misuse and manage addiction. Utilize the following resources to learn how to take action if you suspect someone is addicted as well as different avenues to deter employees from abusing opioids.
Prevent opioid misuseCompanies and organizations of all sizes have an important role promoting the health and safety of employees and managing risks in the workplace. Employers who have strong workplace policies, education, health benefit programs, and well-trained managers create safe and healthy environments in which both employees and business thrive.
- How to Safely Dispose of Your Leftover MedicinePDF
(National Safety Council)
Companies and organizations of all sizes have an important role promoting the health and safety of employees and managing risks in the workplace. Employers who have strong workplace policies, education, health benefit programs, and well-trained managers create safe and healthy environments in which both employees and business thrive.
- How to Safely Dispose of Your Leftover MedicinePDF
(National Safety Council)
Educate employees and families on the opioid epidemicWhile employers can work to eliminate opioid misuse in the workplace, they must also provide employees with resources to use when they are at home. The following resources provide employees with basic opioid information, instructions on how to safely dispose of drugs, and more.
- Rights, Risks, and ResponsibilitiesWebsite
(Allied Against Opioid Abuse)
- How to Reduce Risk of OverdosePDF
(National Safety Council)
- Understanding Opioid Pain Meds: Know the RisksPDF
(National Safety Council)
While employers can work to eliminate opioid misuse in the workplace, they must also provide employees with resources to use when they are at home. The following resources provide employees with basic opioid information, instructions on how to safely dispose of drugs, and more.
- Rights, Risks, and ResponsibilitiesWebsite
(Allied Against Opioid Abuse) - How to Reduce Risk of OverdosePDF
(National Safety Council) - Understanding Opioid Pain Meds: Know the RisksPDF
(National Safety Council)
What should we do if we suspect someone is addicted?As an employer, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of an opioid addiction. Once doing so, employers have a responsibility to identify employees with addiction and provide them with the right resources.
- How to Tell If a Loved One is Abusing OpioidsWebsite
(Mayo Clinic)
- Hidden Workplace Epidemic Prescription PainkillerPDF
(National Safety Council)
- Strategies for Employers to Reduce Stigma and Addiction in the WorkplaceWebsite
(The Alliance)
- What to Do if You Suspect Your Coworker Has an Addiction ProblemWebsite
(Talbott Recovery)
- Opioid Addiction Enters the WorkplaceWebsite
(American Bar Association)
As an employer, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of an opioid addiction. Once doing so, employers have a responsibility to identify employees with addiction and provide them with the right resources.
- How to Tell If a Loved One is Abusing OpioidsWebsite
(Mayo Clinic) - Hidden Workplace Epidemic Prescription PainkillerPDF
(National Safety Council) - Strategies for Employers to Reduce Stigma and Addiction in the WorkplaceWebsite
(The Alliance) - What to Do if You Suspect Your Coworker Has an Addiction ProblemWebsite
(Talbott Recovery) - Opioid Addiction Enters the WorkplaceWebsite
(American Bar Association)
Assist employees with confidential help and treatmentThere are several ways to treat opioid addiction. The following are treatment options that an employer may use to assist their employees in recovery.
- CleanSlate Centers (medication-assisted treatment and individualized treatment plans)Website
- Behavioral Health Treatment Services LocatorWebsite
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Centerstone Mental Health Care, Addiction Treatment and Community EducationWebsite
- Indiana Addiction TreatmentWebsite
- Indiana Comprehensive Treatment Centers (medication-assisted treatment programs)Website
- Progress House (Men seeking permanent recovery from an addiction to any mind-altering substance)Website
- Narcotics AnonymousWebsite
- Indiana 211 HotlineWebsite
- Indiana Addiction HotlineWebsite
- Vivitrol ProvidersWebsite
There are several ways to treat opioid addiction. The following are treatment options that an employer may use to assist their employees in recovery.
- CleanSlate Centers (medication-assisted treatment and individualized treatment plans)Website
- Behavioral Health Treatment Services LocatorWebsite
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - Centerstone Mental Health Care, Addiction Treatment and Community EducationWebsite
- Indiana Addiction TreatmentWebsite
- Indiana Comprehensive Treatment Centers (medication-assisted treatment programs)Website
- Progress House (Men seeking permanent recovery from an addiction to any mind-altering substance)Website
- Narcotics AnonymousWebsite
- Indiana 211 HotlineWebsite
- Indiana Addiction HotlineWebsite
- Vivitrol ProvidersWebsite
Educate employees on what to do if there is an opioid overdoseThe Indiana State Department of Health and the Overdose Lifeline both provide Naloxone education for employers. It is important for employers to understand the basics of Naloxone and what it can be used for. Additionally, it is essential for employers and organizations as a whole to be aware of how to administer naloxone to overdosed employees.
- Naloxone 101Website
(Indiana State Department of Health)
- What is Naloxone?Website
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Understanding NaloxoneWebsite
(Harm Reduction Coalition)
- Get Naloxone NowWebsite
(National Development and Research Institutes)
- Overdose LifelineWebsite
The Indiana State Department of Health and the Overdose Lifeline both provide Naloxone education for employers. It is important for employers to understand the basics of Naloxone and what it can be used for. Additionally, it is essential for employers and organizations as a whole to be aware of how to administer naloxone to overdosed employees.
- Naloxone 101Website
(Indiana State Department of Health) - What is Naloxone?Website
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - Understanding NaloxoneWebsite
(Harm Reduction Coalition) - Get Naloxone NowWebsite
(National Development and Research Institutes) - Overdose LifelineWebsite
What are other employers and community organizations doing in this space?The following toolkits from groups around the country will help employers recognize and manage opioid addiction among employees.
- Addressing Opioids in the Workplace ToolkitPDF
(Gregory and Appel Insurance)
- Pain Management GuidePDF
(Midwest Business Group on Health)
- Midwest Business Group on HealthWebsite
- Kentuckiana Health Collaborative Opioid Employer ToolkitWebsite
- National Safety CouncilWebsite
- North Dakota Safety CouncilWebsite
- Ohio Chamber of CommerceWebsite
- Employer Spotlights of Employers’ Forum of IndianaWebsite
The following toolkits from groups around the country will help employers recognize and manage opioid addiction among employees.
- Addressing Opioids in the Workplace ToolkitPDF
(Gregory and Appel Insurance) - Pain Management GuidePDF
(Midwest Business Group on Health) - Midwest Business Group on HealthWebsite
- Kentuckiana Health Collaborative Opioid Employer ToolkitWebsite
- National Safety CouncilWebsite
- North Dakota Safety CouncilWebsite
- Ohio Chamber of CommerceWebsite
- Employer Spotlights of Employers’ Forum of IndianaWebsite
Create policies for opioid abuseSeveral organizations currently have policies in place to combat the opioid crisis. The following are example policies that have had a positive impact on the organization's workplace.
Several organizations currently have policies in place to combat the opioid crisis. The following are example policies that have had a positive impact on the organization's workplace.
Host a program to dispose of unwanted medicationTake-Back Programs are an easy way for your employees to dispose of their unwanted medications. Schedule one through our website or develop your own within local laws and existing practices provided.
- Take-Back Program Rules and RegulationsPDF
(Indiana State Board of Pharmacy)
- Schedule a Free Take-Back ProgramWebsite
(Employers' Forum of Indiana)
- How-to Guide for a Drug Take-Back programPDF
(Covanta)
- Covanta’s Healthcare SolutionsWebsite
Take-Back Programs are an easy way for your employees to dispose of their unwanted medications. Schedule one through our website or develop your own within local laws and existing practices provided.
- Take-Back Program Rules and RegulationsPDF
(Indiana State Board of Pharmacy) - Schedule a Free Take-Back ProgramWebsite
(Employers' Forum of Indiana) - How-to Guide for a Drug Take-Back programPDF
(Covanta) - Covanta’s Healthcare SolutionsWebsite
Restructure benefit design to address opioid misuseRestructuring benefit designs can help address opioid misuse. The following resources show how managing your benefit design could curb the opioid crisis.
- Addiction Recovery Medical Home Alternative Payment Model (White Paper)PDF
(Alliance for Addiction Payment Reform)
- Promoting Long-Term Recovery with Innovative Payment ModelsPDF
(Signify Health)
- Managing Opioid Prescribing and Use through PBMsPDF
(National Safety Council)
- Employers Take Steps to Address Opioid CrisisWebsite
(Society for Human Resource Management)
- How Major Medical Insurance Can Optimize your Drug Free WorkplacePDF
(National Safety Council)
Restructuring benefit designs can help address opioid misuse. The following resources show how managing your benefit design could curb the opioid crisis.
- Addiction Recovery Medical Home Alternative Payment Model (White Paper)PDF
(Alliance for Addiction Payment Reform) - Promoting Long-Term Recovery with Innovative Payment ModelsPDF
(Signify Health) - Managing Opioid Prescribing and Use through PBMsPDF
(National Safety Council) - Employers Take Steps to Address Opioid CrisisWebsite
(Society for Human Resource Management) - How Major Medical Insurance Can Optimize your Drug Free WorkplacePDF
(National Safety Council)
Medication Disposal LocationsMedication disposal is an easy and safe method to dispose of any unused medications.
Medication disposal is an easy and safe method to dispose of any unused medications.
