Rachael Sardinha

People in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) are disproportionately marginalized in the workplace, which can negatively impact their employment outcomes. This subsequently can impact their financial and housing security, and the likelihood of experiencing a relapse. A review of the current literature on SUD and recovery in the workplace was conducted using a systems thinking perspective. Through this methodology, three major themes persisted:

• Disclosure of substance abuse issues or recovery status is rare, for many reasons including but not limited to fear of stigma from coworkers/colleagues, the idea that addiction is a personal failing or choice, and fear of losing employment, 
• A top-down approach is necessary, meaning that employers need to embrace a recovery-friendly environment for stigma to effectively decrease at all levels of the workplace, and 
• Employment is an on-going, evolving process that can be viewed as an effective relapse prevention measure, when understood and utilized properly. 

Based on these recurrent themes, the key elements of the system related to this topic may be social acceptance, addiction/recovery disclosure and proper addiction/recovery education. Ultimately, a shift in workplace culture is needed; such a shift must begin with employer support.