CORPORATE
ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING IN THE CORPORATE SETTING
The corporate setting is known to be characterized by a strait-laced culture and a set of very strict moral attitudes, but this is not at all exempt from substance use, misuse, and abuse. And within this environment, the risk is the same for blue-collar operatives (such as janitors), pink-collar employees (such as secretaries), and white-collar professionals (including the C-suite executives).
Among workers in the corporate setting, especially the white-collar professionals, the likelihood of substance abuse is usually associated with the following:
- Drive to succeed
- Pressure to gain recognition and wealth
- Need to celebrate career milestones and gains
- Need to build and expand networks
- Need to cope with long work hours, excessive workload, and work-related stress
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that substance abuse costs the United States $600 billion annually, and it believes that treatment mitigates the economic and social impact significantly.
Meanwhile, the National Safety Council states that alcohol and drug use in the workplace reduces employer revenue by at least $74 billion each year. When workers, including white-collar professionals, consume controlled or prohibited substances, they are likely to perform poorly, lose their productivity, and make unsound decisions that result in costly mistakes.
Statistics: Alcohol and Drug Use and Abuse Among White-Collar Professionals
- According to the 2015 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), from 2008 to 2012, 9.9% of middle- and high-level managers of various types of enterprises were found to be heavy drinkers.
- Also according to the SAMHSA report, from 2008 to 2012, 12.1% of middle- and high-level managers of various types of enterprises were found to use illicit drugs, such as marijuana/hashish, hallucinogens, inhalants, heroin, cocaine (including crack), or non-medically administered prescription drugs.
- According to a 2015 study published in The American Journal on Addictions, 12.9% of male physicians and 21.4% female physicians in the United States suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence.
- According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, 20.6% of American attorneys have “problematic drinking” issues.
- Also according to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, 31% of American attorneys consume marijuana, and 21.6% take opioids, all on a weekly basis.
- Per NIDA data, about 130 Americans die from overdosing on either a prescription opioid or an illicit opioid; the figure includes individuals in the corporate environment.
Types of Tests That Are Appropriate for the Corporate Setting
Accuracy is key in successful alcohol and drug screens, and this is what corporate decision-makers and executives seek in screening kits. And because time is of the essence, the staff performing the tests want the process to be swift and simple.
The three (3) types of alcohol and drug tests are:
- Hair Follicle Alcohol and Drug Test. This can tell whether or not an employee has taken alcohol or drugs within 90 days of the test.
- Urine Alcohol and Drug Test. This can prove that an employee has imbibed alcohol or taken an illicit drug within a few days of the test.
- Saliva Alcohol and Drug Test. This is not as invasive as the Urine Drug Test, and it does not require a private room for collecting oral fluids. It can tell if the worker has used alcohol, prescription drugs, or illicit drugs (such as marijuana, cocaine, or amphetamine) within three days of the test. It can also detect heroin, but only within a few hours of the latest usage.
Types of Alcohol and Drug Testing in Corporate Environments
There is no law that requires corporate environments, except federal grantees and contractors, to maintain a drug-free workplace. However, keeping the workplace alcohol and drug-free prevents irreversible damage and harm due to problems associated with employee substance use and abuse.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines to make sure that the substance-use testing is within legal boundaries.
Below are some types of alcohol and drug testing for employees:
- Pre-Employment. This is performed during the selection of job candidates. Employers have the right to refuse hiring persons who fail the alcohol or drug test.
- Pre-Duty. This is performed when employees are about to begin performing duties in a unit that they have not worked in previously.
- Return-to-Duty. This is performed when employees goes back to work from certain situations, such as substance use disorder treatment.
- Post-Incident. This is performed when an untoward work-related incident occurs, to see if a resulting injury, or any potential or actual damage to property, has been caused by an employee’s alcohol or drug use.
- Periodic. The alcohol or drug testing is performed on a regular basis, although ideally unannounced, to make sure that the employees are consistently free from substance use, misuse, or abuse.
- Random. The alcohol or drug testing is performed at work unannounced, to make sure that the employees are consistently free from substance use, misuse, or abuse.
What American Screening Provides Corporate Environments
American Screening understands that even in corporate settings, there may not always be a big budget for employee alcohol and drug tests. This is why we deliver highly affordable, superior-quality screening kits straight from the manufacturer.
We understand as well that personnel performing the screenings do not have enough time to learn the complexities of alcohol and drug testing, which is why we provide easy-to-use products that yield timely and accurate results.
To keep pace with trends, we also offer screening kits for synthetic drugs like K2 (also known as “spice”) and fentanyl.
All our alcohol and drug testing products are cost-effective, and these conform to SAMHSA and OHSA standards.
For more information on how American Screening LLC can collaborate on making your organization and community alcohol and drug-free zones, please call our toll-free number: (866) 526-2873 or write us via [email protected]
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