WASHINGTON — In recognition of National Recovery Month, HRCI® today issued a new report, highlighting the need for employers to address substance use disorder and offering research-based strategies to create a supportive, recovery friendly workplace. An estimated 30 million U.S. workers live with substance use disorder, with 80% employed full time, according to 2023 numbers; yet only 21 million are in recovery.
“The numbers tell us that substance use disorder is an issue every organization will confront,” said Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of HRCI, the premier credentialing and learning community for human resource professionals. “The question is whether we address it proactively with constructive policies or wait for crises to dictate our decisions. Smart employers will support employees on their journey to recovery.”
Designed as a practical tool, this report draws on the Recovery Friendly Workplace Survey 2025, conducted in collaboration with the research firm Fors Marsh, and includes insights from the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation.
Key findings include:
“National Recovery Month reminds us that recovery is possible — and workplaces play a critical role,” Dufrane said. “By using this report as a tool, employers can reduce stigma, build supportive cultures and create policies that make a measurable difference for individuals, families, and organizations alike.”
HRCI’s report provides a framework for HR professionals to build a Recovery Friendly Workplace and take a leading role in their organization’s response to substance use disorder. HR leaders can:
The full report is available here. Dr. Dufrane is available for interviews. Please contact press@thestorylinecompany.com for scheduling.
Methodology
The Recovery Friendly Workplace Survey 2025 was conducted by HRCI and Fors Marsh from Aug. 12–23, 2024, with 1,536 HR professionals participating. The survey used a mixed-methods approach including literature scans, in-depth interviews, online surveys, and focus groups with subject matter experts.
About HRCI
HRCI is the premier credentialing and learning community for the human resource profession. For 50 years, HRCI has set the global standard for HR expertise and excellence through its commitment to developing and advancing those in the people business. HRCI helps HR professionals and businesses achieve new competencies that drive results by creating and offering world-class learning and by administering eight global individual certifications and three organizational certifications. Today, more than 500,000 HR professionals in more than 150 countries have achieved HRCI certification as a mark of high professional distinction.
About Dr. Dufrane
Dr. Amy Dufrane is a global leader in human resources and workplace management. As CEO of HRCI, a leading provider of learning and credentialing for HR professionals and their organizations, she brings decades of experience in human capital management and employee wellness to interviews and media appearances. Dufrane helps set the standard for HR, serving as the international secretariat for global HR standards through ISO, the International Organization for Standardization. Her honors include the Global Impact Award of Distinction from the Bowman Foundation for Workplace Equity and Mental Wellness and the Globee Award for Women in Business. For the past four years, she has been named one of the Top 100 HR Tech Influencers by HR Executive magazine. Under her leadership, HRCI was named a 2024 and 2025 Top Workplace by The Washington Post and the 2023 ISA Business of the Year.