How to Use Colorado Employee Assistance Programs for Substance Abuse Issues

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are part of an employee benefits package that help employees with a variety of different personal and professional issues that may affect them in the workplace. Almost all large employers have EAPs, and even 75 percent of companies with only 250-1000 employees have EAPs.

The Purpose of EAPs

Employers came up with the idea of EAPs in order to cut down on the amount of sick time and absenteeism that life issues can cause for employees, which then impacts the business. Even though EAPs were created largely to benefit employers in the long run, they have proven to be a win-win for both employers and employees, since EAPs do help employees when they are struggling due to personal issues in their lives.

Some of the issues EAPs help with include the following:

• Help with legal problems, financial difficulties, and interpersonal relationships
• Help to figure out childcare or eldercare, or with parenting and work-life issues
• Help with health and wellness issues including weight loss and smoking cessation
• Mediation and conflict resolution
• Training for managers and supervisors

EAPs also provide workplace resources for addiction treatment

How EAPs Help Fight Substance Abuse in the Workplace

While an EAP cannot take the place of full-fledged treatment for substance abuse, it can get an employee started down the path to getting the needed treatment. It can be overwhelming to try to choose a treatment provider and make arrangements for getting into treatment as well as to figure out insurance costs and how to pay for the treatment you need.

EAPs are helpful for doing assessments to determine the type and level of treatment you need and providing referrals for treatment programs. EAPs can also help you navigate the paperwork if you have to miss work to go to treatment and make sure you know your company’s policies on taking time off and whether you can get paid or unpaid leave.

Another thing EAPs provide is short-term counseling, usually from 3 to 12 sessions, which may benefit some people struggling with substance abuse, but are usually not sufficient for most who are abusing drugs and alcohol. These programs can be a start, however, and can be used until treatment can start.

One positive benefit of EAPs is that the services are provided at no cost to employees as a benefit of their employment. For those who have financial limitations or difficulties, an EAP can ease the burden of seeking initial services like assessment and the first few sessions, giving employees the time to figure out how to get more intensive and ongoing treatment.

The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake can pick up where an EAP leaves off to provide Colorado addiction treatment resources for as long as needed to complete the process of recovery. Many treatment options are available including inpatient and several types of outpatient treatment, as well as family therapy, help for co-occurring disorders, and aftercare options. Contact us today to discuss your options!