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According to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, 73% of people who currently use illicit drugs in the United States are employed. Did you also know that alcohol and other drug use costs American businesses an estimated $102 billion every year in lost productivity, accidents, employee turnover and related problems?

Alcoholism causes an estimated 500 million lost work days per year, due to hangovers and other detrimental effects of the substance. Alcohol abusers are reported to have an accident rate 2-4 times higher than that of other workers. And according to research, drug abuse (including alcohol) doubles employers’ costs in medical and worker compensation claims.

Problems with alcohol or drugs occur among millions of people who are employed. To help address these problems in the workplace, companies can make an effort to be in touch with their employees and provide a supportive alcohol- and drug-free workplace. Companies that take such actions can see substantial corporate benefits. By taking a proactive approach and encouraging employees and corporate managers with these problems to seek help, employers actually can promote increases in employee performance, motivation, and morale, while also boosting customer satisfaction and financial savings.

Problems with alcohol or drugs can affect anyone, even your most valued employees. Fortunately, however, substance use disorders are medical conditions for which treatment is highly effective. Offered the opportunity, people in recovery from addiction can do meaningful work, contribute positively to their communities, and are productive, tax-paying members of society.

Yet large numbers of people who could be helped by treatment still do not receive it. Of the 1 million people surveyed in 2003 who felt they needed treatment for substance use disorders, 273,000 (26.3 percent) made an effort but were unable to receive the treatment they wanted due to cost/insurance barriers and a variety of reasons related to stigma.

Each September, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is celebrated by hundreds of organizations across the country to highlight the importance of treatment for substance use disorders. This year’s 16 th annual Recovery Month will recognize the collective effort that goes into achieving recovery from substance use disorders. From health care professionals who proactively recognize and treat these disorders, to employers and insurers who provide affordable treatment options, to community and family members who offer acceptance and encouragement. Meaningful and sustainable recovery from addiction often involves a group of caring individuals who support the recovery of both the person experiencing dependence on alcohol or drugs and the person's family members, who also are affected.

Please join the Alcohol & Drug Council in celebrating Recovery Month. From September 1-16, we will have a display at the Tompkins County Public Library. Also, on September 25, from 6-10pm at Willard Straight Hall (Memorial Room and Terrace), Cornell Minds Matter, a student mental health awareness and advocacy organization, will be hosting a Rock for Recovery event. The bands performing are Ayurveda, Atomic Forces, Another Day Late, Armageddon Monks and Jake's Fault. Tickets will be sold at the door the night of the concert and will be $5. Proceeds will be donated to the United Way of Tompkins County to benefit the Alcohol & Drug Council, a United Way member organization.

Stacy Cangelosi, MSW is the Director of Education & Prevention at the Alcohol & Drug Council. The Sober Talk column is published in the Ithaca Journal on the first Thursday of each month.