How costly is substance abuse to organizations? Estimates vary, but all put the figure well into the tens of billions of dollars each year. Workers experiencing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) take nearly 50% more unscheduled days off, and their annual turnover rate is 44% higher than the general workforce, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
When you add lost productivity, higher healthcare costs, and the risk of workplace accidents, the financial impact becomes undeniable.
In 2023, an estimated 30 million Americans in the workforce were affected by SUD, and roughly 80% were full-time employees. Yet only about 21 million were in recovery.
An HRCI survey of hundreds of HR professionals in May found that more than 1 in 3 (41%) had occasionally observed substance use issues at work in the past year, and 7% reported seeing them frequently.
“Substance use disorder is an issue every organization will confront,” said Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of HRCI. “The question is whether we address it proactively with constructive policies—or allow crises to dictate our response. Smart employers will support employees on their journey to recovery. HR can and should lead the way.”
To help organizations take that proactive step, HRCI released Becoming Recovery Friendly: Implications and Best Practices Around Substance Use Disorder in the Workplace, a comprehensive report examining workplace attitudes toward SUD and offering practical steps HR professionals can take to create recovery friendly environments.
Download the report to learn more about workplace recovery strategies.
Workplace recovery has been a priority issue for HRCI for years. In partnership with the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation, HRCI and other certified Recovery Friendly Workplaces joined a White House roundtable in September 2024 during National Recovery Month to discuss strategies for supporting recovery in the workplace.
In collaboration with Fors Marsh, a research firm focused on societal change, HRCI surveyed more than 1,500 HR professionals on employer policies and practices related to SUD. The resulting Recovery Friendly Workplace Survey 2025 revealed significant opportunities for improvement.
Key findings include:
Top needs cited by respondents included:
“Our study participants recognized the value of organizational support for individuals in recovery,” the report notes. “However, they also reported needs that are not currently met.”
Download the full report for detailed insights and best practices.
For many organizations, the next step is pursuing Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) certification—an initiative designed to help employers support workers in recovery and reduce the stigma surrounding SUD.
The National Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute, operated by the Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation, offers national certification for organizations that demonstrate commitment in key areas such as culture, hiring and retention, benefits, and education. Organizations operating within a single state can pursue state-level certification.
Since its rollout in late 2023, nearly two dozen organizations have earned certification, including Oracle, The Gorilla Glue Company, and nonprofits like Associated Builders and Contractors. HRCI was among the first to participate.
“We wanted to help lead the conversation on how employers can support recovery,” said Dufrane. “Becoming a Recovery Friendly Workplace is a powerful step forward, and we wanted to lead by example.”
Survey respondents identified lack of knowledge (64%) and misconceptions or stigma (50%) as the top barriers to certification.
“The biggest problems aren’t always about resources,” Dufrane noted. “They often stem from organizational culture. Truly understanding the nature of Substance Use Disorder and recovery—and their impact on your organization—is essential to building effective policies.”
Learn more about Recovery Friendly Workplace Certification and how your organization can get started.