April 18, 2025

The Impact of SUD on Individuals

Substance use disorders are associated with several profound health and behavioral impacts that come with significant consequences for individuals, their families, and their employers.

Physical Health Effects

Short- and long-term physical effects will depend on the type of substance (e.g., alcohol, opioids, cocaine, etc.). Short-term effects can include loss of consciousness, tremors and in the case of an overdose, death. Long-term use of most addictive substances increases the likelihood of liver failure, cancer, stroke, depression and anxiety.¹ Even moderate levels of alcohol consumption over time can increase the likelihood of developing several types of cancer.²

Mental Health Effects

Most people with SUDs also have a comorbid mental illness.³ Some use addictive substances to cope with symptoms of anxiety or depression, while others may develop depression because they have an SUD. In 2023, among people with depression, anxiety or other mental health disorders, 35% also have SUD.⁴

Behavioral Effects

Although the physical effects of SUD vary depending on the substance, the behavioral impacts are more uniform across substances. Alcohol and other drugs trigger pleasure centers of the brain that over time change the hierarchy of an individual’s needs and desires.

Behaviors associated with SUD include:

• Inability to abstain from addictive substances and serious withdrawal symptoms when use is discontinued;
• Reduced inhibitions leading to risk-taking like driving under the influence;
• Disruptive cravings;
• Difficulty maintaining positive interpersonal relationships; and
• Dysfunctional emotional responses.

Social Health Effects (Employment, Family Life and Stigma)

The impact of SUD on an individual’s community and relationships varies by person. For instance, some will struggle to hold onto a job but will have difficulty doing so due to negative impacts on productivity, interpersonal relationships with colleagues or workplace safety incidents. Others are able to work and largely conceal their disorder for extended periods of time until a serious adverse event occurs.

The highest rates of SUD are among young adults whose parents are working age. These parents often become their children’s caregivers, resulting in increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression and financial stress among this group.

Stigma against people with SUD is widespread and varies depending on the substance an individual is using. For example, those with an alcohol- related SUD may be judged less severely than those with a cocaine or heroin SUD issue. Also, many, including a subset of medical professionals, believe that SUD is a moral failing, blaming the individual for “being an addict” and labeling them as bad, dangerous, or unfit for society.⁵ This stigma can reduce the likelihood that someone will seek treatment or receive compassionate, high-quality care when doing so.

Impact on Employers

Approximately 9% of U.S. workers (13.6 million workers) have SUDs. It is estimated that 70% of people with SUD are employed.^6,7 Most people with SUD can manage to keep their employment, and it plays a vital role in their recovery.

Absenteeism and Retention

One study found that compared to their peers, workers with SUDs miss 50% more days of work.⁸ They’re also much more likely to switch jobs frequently; 36% of employees with SUD had more than one employer in the past year due to job loss, while an estimated 25% of workers without SUD had this experience.⁸

Safety Concerns

The absence of inhibitions can lead to risk-taking behavior and the potential for making workers and their peers vulnerable to serious safety events. This is especially true in the health care industry and any worksite where heavy machinery is used.

Cost of Treatment

The annual cost of SUDs for U.S. employers and their health insurance plans is substantial, totaling approximately $35.3 billion.⁹ The average annual cost per affected employee is estimated at $15,640.¹⁰ However, the real impact is likely even greater given that only a fraction of those suffering from SUDs are diagnosed. Alcohol and opioid disorders are the most expensive, costing $10.2 billion and $7.3 billion respectively within these plans.⁹

Related Resources

• Employers continued to make progress on mental health.
• Employer Trends Across Six Dimensions of Well-being
• Taking Action on Health Inclusion: A Business Group on Health Viewpoint

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