Mental Health & Addiction In The Workplace: How To Get Help & Support

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Mental health and addiction issues can affect anyone, including employees. The workplace can be a significant source of stress and anxiety for many people, leading to mental health and addiction problems. As an employer, it’s essential to recognize the signs of mental health and addiction issues and know how to support your employees. This article will provide some practical tips on how to get help and support for mental health and addiction issues in the workplace.

Mental health and addiction issues can significantly impact the workplace, but there are ways to support struggling employees.

Recognizing The Signs Of Substance Abuse

Recognizing the signs of substance misuse is the first step in helping employees with mental health and addiction issues. Some common signs of mental health issues include:

  • Changes in behavior, such as increased absenteeism or lateness
  • Decreased productivity or quality of work
  • Increased conflicts with coworkers or management
  • Changes in mood, such as increased irritability or anxiety
  • Changes in physical appearance or hygiene

Similarly, some common signs of drug abuse include:

  • Decreased productivity or quality of work
  • Changes in behavior, such as increased absenteeism or lateness
  • Increased conflicts with coworkers or management
  • Unexplained financial problems
  • Changes in physical appearance or hygiene

If you notice these signs, approach your employee with care and concern.

At Launch Center in Los Angeles, we offer a variety of mental health and addiction treatment programs that can help employees get back on track.

Creating A Supportive Environment

Once you recognize that an employee may struggle with mental health or a substance use disorder, the next step is creating a supportive environment. This involves several things, including:

  • Encouraging open communication: Let employees know they can come to you with any concerns or issues without fear of judgment or reprisal.
  • Providing resources: Offer resources such as employee assistance programs, mental health hotlines, and addiction treatment centers.
  • Promoting work-life balance: Encourage employees to take breaks, use vacation time, and prioritize self-care.
  • Avoiding stigma: Avoid stigmatizing language or behavior and treat mental health and addiction issues as any other health concern.
  • Providing accommodations: If necessary, provide flexible scheduling or time off for treatment.

The Effects Of Overworking Employees

According to research, extended working hours may be associated with increased alcohol consumption. Workers who put in more than 48 hours of work per week are 11% more likely to engage in dangerous drinking behavior than those who work the standard 40 hours per week. For employees who work an average of 55 hours per week, the likelihood of problematic drinking behavior increases to 13%.

Furthermore, the study discovered that male workers who worked more than 48 hours per week consumed over 21 alcoholic drinks weekly, while female workers who worked the same hours consumed more than 14 drinks weekly.

Nearly 9% of employed adults suffer from a substance use disorder. This includes 6.7% with an alcohol use disorder and 1.6% with a cannabis use disorder. Industries with younger, predominantly male workforces, such as construction, exhibit higher rates of substance use disorders. Similarly, industries with convenient access to alcohol, such as entertainment and food service, also experience higher rates. Nevertheless, drug use can be found in workers from all industries.

Nearly 9% of employed adults suffer from a substance use disorder.

Offering Mental Health Treatment & Behavioral Healthcare

Finally, it’s essential to offer supportive treatment options for employees struggling with mental health or addiction issues. This may include:

  • Employee assistance programs: Many employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs), which provide counseling and other mental health services.
  • Referral to outside resources: If an employee needs more specialized treatment, provide referrals to mental health or addiction treatment centers.
  • Support groups: Offer support groups for employees struggling with mental health or addiction issues.
  • Flexible scheduling: Consider offering flexible options for treatment appointments or recovery time.
  • Return-to-work programs: Develop return-to-work programs for employees who have taken time off for mental health or addiction treatment.

Why Mental Health Services Are Needed In The Workplace

A survey by the American Psychological Association in 2021 revealed that nearly three out of five employees (59%) have recently experienced the negative effects of work-related stress. Furthermore, 87% of employees believe their employers’ actions could improve their mental health. Employees who frequently feel tense or stressed during work are over three times more likely to seek employment elsewhere within the next year, which can pose challenges for employers who want to keep their valuable staff.

Certain populations are experiencing a disproportionate burden regarding mental illness. Although anxiety and depression symptoms have significantly increased over the last two years, data from the National Center for Health Statistics’ Household Pulse Survey indicate that Black Americans report higher mental health problems than the general population. This is due to various complex factors, such as cultural norms and systemic obstacles to accessing mental health assistance. Additionally, those who have had COVID-19 and are now experiencing long-lasting symptoms (known as long COVID) report mental health conditions such as anxiety and stress.

Mental Health & Addiction Treatment at Launch Center

Mental health and addiction issues can significantly impact the workplace, but there are ways to support struggling employees. By recognizing the signs of mental health and addiction issues, creating a supportive environment, and offering treatment options, employers can help employees get the help they need. At Launch Center in Los Angeles, we offer a variety of mental health and addiction treatment programs that can help employees get back on track. Contact us today to learn more about you.

About Our Founder

Jose Hernandez, for over a decade, has been involved in alcohol and addiction recovery helping people succeed in overcoming substance abuse and regaining control of their lives. He has experience in all aspects of the recovery world, from facilitating entry into treatment as an intervention specialist to counseling and case management at rehabilitation facilities. Jose has worked one-on-one with individuals as a sober companion and with groups as a resident counselor at addiction treatment centers and is certified by the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) to practice as a substance abuse counselor.

Through his professional experiences in crisis intervention, drug and alcohol detoxification, substance abuse counseling, and relapse prevention, Jose has developed a unique plan for case management that bridges the gap between a person’s painful past of substance abuse and a future of sobriety.

At Riviera Recovery, a sober living facility with multiple locations, clients continue their transition from the supportive environment of a treatment center to living well and happily in the “real” world. The program he designed at Riviera Recovery personalizes treatment plans that enable clients, including those with a single or dual-diagnosed mental health disorder, to embrace a satisfying life.

His greatest endeavor has been establishing LAUNCH, a Los Angeles-based life skills intensive outpatient program for young adults. LAUNCH works with recovering men and women to establish personal vocational and educational goals and develop the tools to successfully meet them. His mission is to ensure that no one stands alone in his or her recovery.

Jose

Meet Our Clinical Team

Jess Beck, LCSW

Clinical Director

treatment team los angeles ca

Eric Chaghouri, MD

Psychiatrist

Chloe Kruskol

Chloe Kruskol, LCSW

Family Program Manager

MEET FULL TEAM
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Clients and Professionals Share Their Experience

  • HO

    Launch provided care on multiple levels. The highly skilled therapist coupled with the focus on purpose and long-term goals refocused my recovery from what previous treatment centers pushed onto me. I went from believing that I needed years of treatment to believing I needed years happiness and success. I began to focus on what I wanted to accomplish with my life. I came to realize all the things my addiction and mental illness had taken from me, and I used my future goals as a reason to never pick up again. Due to the passion that Launch instilled in me, I have pursued my future with excitement and dedication.

  • Nicole

    This place changed my life! I’ve had good laughs, good cries, shared a lot of heart to heart moments and grew a loving bond with everyone at Launch Centers. I will always be grateful!!! I really do miss it time to time. I highly recommend Launch Centers!

  • Joey

    The staff and clinicians are amazing and make you feel right at home from the second you walk in the door. I would absolutely recommend this place for a family member or close friend.

  • Ben

    This treatment facility has changed my life. I have always struggled with my mental health and this young adult program provided me with the necessary skills to launch to adulthood. I commend anyone who struggles with mental health or substance use (which was not me) to try this program out. It will change your life.

  • Conner

    Launch Centers Treatment was a major help to me. The therapists and staff genuinely cared about me and truly helped me to make a plan for my future. My personal therapists helped me to discover where some of my deeper issues came from. All of the staff worked tirelessly with me to talk through my issues, or just about life, and offered realistic solutions to my current problems and situation. All of the staff went above and beyond and advocated relentlessly for me. I am very grateful that I was able to have such a wonderful experience with Launch.

  • Adam

    In no uncertain terms Launch Centers changed my life. The staff at Launch are professional, knowledgable and relatable. They keep the format diverse and interesting which kept me engaged in the process. The greatest thing we can do in life is seek to improve ourselves. Launch gave me a skill set I consider to be invaluable in the journey of becoming the best version of myself. I would implore anybody considering Launch to step outside their comfort zone and go, you will not regret it.

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