Workplace alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT): A survey of employer and vendor practices
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2009
Journal
Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health
Volume
Volume 24, Issue 3
Keywords
Alcohol; Workforce Issues
Abstract
Alcohol abuse and dependence is recognized as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Alcohol is the most widely used substance among working adults, and almost 80% of risky drinkers are employed. Health care costs associated with alcohol problems exceed major chronic diseases. Employers bear economic and other burdens from untreated alcohol problems: productivity losses, increased absenteeism, tardiness, and poor work quality. There is overwhelming scientific evidence of the effectiveness of alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for detecting and treating people with alcohol problems in medical settings (e.g., emergency), a setting that presents numerous teachable moments. The effectiveness in nonmedical work-related settings (e.g., employee assistance, work-life) is unclear. A review of the literature suggests there has been little attention paid to adaptation of alcohol SBIRT for the workplace, a setting where millions of working adults spend most of their day. This research aims to identify and describe employer and vendor SBIRT practices and promising approaches feasible for adaptation and dissemination in a variety of work-related settings.
APA Citation
McPherson, T.L., Goplerud, E., Olufokunbi-Sam, D., Jacobus-Kantor, L., Lusby-Treber, K.A. et al. (2009). Workplace alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT): A survey of employer and vendor practices. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 24(3).
Peer Reviewed
1