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6 Ways to Manage Opioid Use Disorder in the Workplace
Opioids can provide short-term pain relief for chronic medical conditions. But when used incorrectly, they can ruin lives.
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By John Heniff, Safety Writer, Magid
Opioids can provide short-term pain relief for chronic medical conditions. But when used incorrectly, they can ruin lives.
100,000+
ACCORDING TO THE CDC, 107,543 AMERICANS DIED FROM A DRUG OVERDOSE IN 2023.
The good news is that represents a very slight 3% decrease from the year prior. But, there were still 81,083 opioid overdose deaths in 2023, representing the lion's share of incidents. The country also saw a tragic increase in deaths from cocaine and other drugs like methamphetamines. And of course, overdose death numbers don't account for ongoing opioid misuse both on and off the job.
Opioid use can impair a user’s thought process and reaction time. In the best case, that can simply cause a drop-off in productivity. But at its worst, it can lead to accidents and injuries to your worker or anyone else on the job.
This increasing epidemic can seem overwhelming for safety managers, but there are some things you can do to help.
1. Examine your Healthcare Policies
Opioid misuse often begins with an injury. Does your company offer ample medical leave and disability for injured workers? Employees struggling to go back to work while they’re still in pain are more likely to end up with a substance use disorder. Talk to your HR Department about this and ask if they can provide counseling services, health fairs, or other avenues to encourage good health for workers and their families. If your company doesn’t have a program to help addicted workers, now is the time to suggest they start one!
2. Implement an Anonymous Drug Disposal Program
Opioids are meant to be used on a short-term basis. Implementing a drug disposal program in your workplace can help employees resist the temptation to keep leftover medication “just in case” they have pain in the future. They can also help to keep unused or expired medications from getting into the wrong hands like children or spouses. You can set up drug disposal programs with collection methods like disposal receptacles at your workplace or with mail-back envelopes specifically designed for prescription medications.
3. Reverse the Stigma of Opioid Use Disorder
Use your safety meetings, toolbox talks, and one-on-one time to cultivate an environment where workers can discuss opioids or addiction without judgment or shame. Tell your employees to vocalize concerns about opioids they’ve been prescribed and how they may interfere with performing their jobs. Encouraging everyone to see Opioid Use Disorder as an illness instead of a character flaw can make people more comfortable speaking up.
4. Educate Workers on Pain Management, Treatment, & Prevention
Encourage workers with chronic pain to ask their doctor about alternative methods to alleviate pain. Depending on their condition, something other than an opioid might be helpful. That may include:
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Epidurals
- Nerve Blocks
- Joint Injections
- Non-opioid Pain Medication
- Physical Therapy
- Yoga
Let them know it’s okay to question their doctor about the safety of any prescription.
5. Educate Workers on Fentanyl, Polysubstance Overdoses, and the Dangers in the Illegal Drug Market.
According to U.S. News & World Report, recent years have seen a sharp increase in what’s called polysubstance overdoses. That is, opioids like the deadly opioid fentanyl that are mixed with other illegal drugs like methamphetamines, making it harder to recognize a fentanyl overdose. Criminals are even selling counterfeit prescription drugs online that are laced with fentanyl, causing a spike in deadly overdoses.
6. Emphasize Ergonomics to Prevent Potential Injuries.
Finally, make sure your workers are mindful of tasks than can cause strains and soreness to help reduce their likelihood of developing chronic pain. Reduce pain points and highlight accident prevention to help them recognize ways they can protect their joints and extremities while performing particularly taxing jobs.
You can’t help everyone, but good communication and smart, compassionate policies and procedures can keep more of your workers healthy both on and off the job.
