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Well-being and Workforce Strategy

Innovation Showcase Recap: Substance Use Disorder

Discover how employers can tackle the global challenge of substance use, reduce stigma and implement innovative treatment strategies to support their workforce.

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September 05, 2024

The latest installment of the Innovation Showcase Series addressed substance use disorder (SUD), an issue affecting millions of lives globally. The event brought together leading employers and industry experts to explore innovative strategies to support employees and their families struggling with SUD.

SUDs cost employers an estimated $35.3 billion annually due to excess health care expenditures.1 This figure reflects the direct financial impact on employer claims costs, but there is a broader societal cost related to SUD in the U.S. – an estimated trillion dollars of productivity losses (for workers and their caretakers), treatment expenses and health impacts.2

SUDs impact almost 40 million people worldwide, pointing to the need for innovation to tackle this problem.3  With access to many levers to drive innovation and make an impact, employers and their partners are key players in this endeavor, with many levers to drive innovation and make an impact.

Several key themes emerged:

1 | Stigma remains a significant barrier to treatment

Despite the longstanding prevalence of SUD, stigma continues to hinder individuals from seeking care. Dr. Lisa Kugler from Shatterproof, a leading clinical advocacy organization for SUD, emphasized that many still view SUD as a moral failing rather than a chronic illness. Stigma affects both the willingness of individuals to seek treatment and the workplace culture, where many employees are uncomfortable working alongside colleagues in recovery. The Johns Hopkins Stigma Lab collects and disseminates the latest and best evidence for what works in communicating about SUD and other stigmatized health issues.

2 | Comprehensive virtual care providers are driving gains in access to care

One of the most pressing issues highlighted during the showcase is the lack of timely access to treatment. Only 6% of individuals with SUD receive care,4 a reflection of long wait times and high costs. Innovative digital solutions aim to close this gap by providing faster access to affordable care that is available when the patient is ready. Employers should consider partnering with solutions that have strong contract guarantees for connecting patients to care as soon as they are ready.

3 | Customized care is critical for recovery

Panelists stressed the importance of offering personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each individual. Newer tools, like the Treatment Atlas, are innovating how people identify the right type of treatment and provider that would be best for them, then directing them to in-network providers who practice evidence-based medicine. For meaningful access for all who need it, providers need to offer a range of treatment options, across outpatient programs to inpatient rehabilitation and everything in between. Employers need to push their vendor partners to make available tools that facilitate individualized provider search and treatment suggestions available to all plan members.

4 | Employer efforts to support innovation in SUD include virtual care, Centers of Excellence (COE), workplace policies and financial incentives

Employer presenters shared ways they make a meaningful impact on SUD by offering comprehensive benefits that cover a full continuum of care and targeted programs focused on SUD. This strategy includes expanding access to virtual counseling through vendor partnerships, workplace policies to support employees in recovery and steering them to COEs through their health plan or another curated network.

5 | Harness the power of positive narratives in recovery

The showcase concluded with a powerful message of hope. Recovery from SUD is possible, and the success rates for individuals who receive appropriate care are similar to those for other chronic conditions like hypertension or asthma. In fact, in September 2024, the National Institute on Drug Abuse revealed a 10.6% reduction in drug deaths in the past year.5 One employer shared its approach to celebrating recovery milestones within the workforce, including a plan member saying that the COE program saved their life. By publicly acknowledging these "wins," the organization not only boosts morale but also communicates the clear benefits of its SUD programs, reinforcing the message that recovery is achievable.

This Innovation Showcase highlighted innovators leading the way in improving health care and outcomes for people impacted by SUD. By reducing stigma, expanding access to evidence-based care and celebrating recovery successes, employers can make a lasting difference in the lives of their employees and contribute to the overall well-being of their organizations.

For access to a recording of the showcase, please click here.

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