The Benefits of Hiring and Retaining Employees in Recovery: A Win-Win Approach

Effective Workplace Policies & Practices Can Help Save Money & Save Lives!

• Individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) are a largely untapped economic resource.
  • As many as 5.5 million U.S. adults living with SUD are currently unemployed. ¹
• Evidence-based workplace policies are worth it!
  • Businesses that invest in providing access to substance use treatment for employees can see as high as a 13 to 1 return on their investment. ²
  • Employees who receive treatment and enter recovery from SUD showed 36% decreases in absenteeism and a 13% decrease in work turnover, all equating to cost savings for the employer. ²
  • Business sponsored and monitored treatment produces better recovery results than treatment sought at the request of friends or family. ²
• Businesses can be part of the solution. Employment opportunities help improve people’s lives and improve the community.
  • The benefits of work for individuals with substance use disorders include lower rates of recurrence, higher rates of abstinence, less criminal activity, fewer parole violations, improvements in quality of life, and more successful transition from long-term residential treatment back to the community. ^3,4,5,6
• Policies that retain workers, save money.
  • The benefits of work for individuals with substance use disorders include lower rates of recurrence, higher rates of abstinence, less criminal activity, fewer parole violations, improvements in quality of life, and more successful transition from long-term residential treatment back to the community. ^3,4,5,6
• Fair Chance employment pays off.
  • Businesses hiring individuals with substance use and criminal backgrounds may be eligible as a fair chance employer for financial incentives through programs such as the Federal Bonding Program and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

Business Resources

Substance Use is a National Crisis

• Over the past year overdoses have claimed the lives of over 100,000 Americans. ⁷
  • An almost 30% increase from the year before
  • Opioids were responsible for around 75% of the overdose deaths
  • Overdose deaths from methamphetamines and cocaine are also on the rise
• Around 40.3 million U.S. adults are living with SUD
• Drug use and overdose deaths in the U.S. have been identified as an “epidemic,” a “crisis,” and a “public health emergency.”
• The annual costs associated with SUD, including healthcare and employment, exceed $440 billion. ⁸
  • Much of this burden falls on businesses (estimates for the annual cost of lost productivity in the workplace are as high as $200 billion).

What About in Ohio?

• Unintentional drug poisoning is the leading cause of injury death in Ohio, surpassing motor vehicle crashes. ⁹
• More than 4,250 Ohioans died from overdose over the past year. ¹⁰
  • Ohio has the fourth-highest opioid overdose rate in the U.S.
  • More than twice the national average.
• Around 9% of Ohioans struggle with substance use and addiction issues. ¹¹
• Drug-related crimes constitute around one-quarter of all felonies resulting in prison sentences in Ohio. ¹²
  • Marijuana possession exceeded incidents for all other drugs combined.
  • Drug convictions exclude many Ohioans from jobs that could help them in their recovery journey.
  • Around 1 in 4 Ohio jobs is blocked or restricted for those with a conviction.

How Does Substance Use Impact the Workplace?

• Nationally, around 8.6% of working adults have SUD. That means the likelihood is high that you have a substantial number of individuals in your own workforce either currently dealing with or with a history of SUD. ²
  • The number of employed Americans using illicit substances (15.4 million) is greater than those not in the workplace (7 million). ¹
  • A national survey on drug use found as many as one in five survey respondents reported they have used marijuana recreationally at work during work hours. ²
• Estimates for the annual cost of lost productivity in the workplace are as high as $200 billion. ¹³
  • The negative impact includes lost productivity, workplace accidents and injuries, absenteeism, low morale, and increased illnesses.
  • The estimated annual cost of untreated SUD in the workplace can range from $2,600 to $13,000 per employee.

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Results from the 2013 national survey on drug use and health: Summary of national findings. NSDUH Series H-48, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4863. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
2. National Safety Council. (2020). Drugs at work: What employers need to know. National Safety Council. https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/drugs-at-work
3. Dunigan, R., Acevedo, A., Campbell, K., Garnick, D. W., Horgan, C. M., Huber, A., … Ritter, G. A. (2014). Engagement in outpatient substance abuse treatment and employment outcomes. Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-013-9334-2
4. Kerrigan, A. J., Kaough, J. E., Wilson, B. L., Wilson, J. V., & Bostick, R. (2004). Vocational rehabilitation of participants with severe substance use disorders in a VA veterans industries program. Substance Use & Misuse, 39(14), 2513–2523.
https://doi.org/10.1081/LSUM-200034695
5. Roessler, R. T., & Rumrill, P. (1998). Reducing workplace barriers to enhance job satisfaction: An important post-employment service for employees with chronic illnesses. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 10(3), 219-29.
6. Sprong, M. E., Melvin, A., Dallas, B., & Koch, D. S. (2014). Substance abuse and vocational rehabilitation: A survey of policies & procedures. Journal of Rehabilitation Journal of Rehabilitation, 80(4), 4–9.
7. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Drug Overdose Deaths in the U.S. Top 100,000 Annually. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2021/20211117.htm
8. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Trends and statistics. Accessed from https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics#supplemental-references-for-economic-costs
9. Ohio Department of Health. (2022). Drug overdose. Accessed from https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/violence-injury-prevention-program/drug-overdose/
10. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Opioid Summaries by State. Accessed from https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state
11. Harm Reduction Ohio. (2021). Why does Ohio rank No. 31 in drug use but No. 2 in overdose death? https://www.harmreductionohio.org/why-does-ohio-rank-no-31-in-drug-use-but-no-2-in-overdose-death/
12. Shields, M. (2018). Wasted assets: The cost of excluding Ohioans with a record from work. Policy Matters Ohio. Accessed from https://www.policymattersohio.org/research-policy/fair-economy/work-wages/wasted-assets-the-cost-of-excluding-ohioans-with-a-record-from-work
13. Society for Human Resource Management. SHRM. 2020. Employing and managing people with addictions. Society for Human Resource Management: Better workplaces, better world. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and- samples/toolkits/pages/personswithaddictions.aspx

Coleman’s Employment Services are available in the following counties:

Allen,  Auglaize,  Belmont,  Hardin,  Harrison,  Jefferson,  Mahoning,  Monroe,  Portage,  Stark,  Summit,  Trumbull,  Wayne

Counseling for Adults, Adolescents & Children

It’s ok to not be okay. 

When life brings challenges that feel impossible to bear – impacting your work, your relationships and your quality of life, Coleman is here to help you work through what’s troubling you. Our mental health experts work with children, teens and adults in all age brackets. Coleman offers outpatient counseling services – in both an individual and a group setting. 

Recovery is possible. We offer help with all the following, and more:

• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
• Anger Management
• Autism Disorder 
• Attachment Difficulties
• Bullying
• Depression 
• Developmental Disorders
• Divorce 
• Grief and Loss
• Oppositional Disorder
• Peer Problems
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Relationship Problems
• Social-Emotional Impairments
• Stress and Anxiety
• Trauma

Our goal is to help you resolve the psychological and emotional problems. 

Individual

And it’s okay to ask for help.

All progress starts with the brave decision to ask for help. Whether you’re seeking short-term assistance or longer-term support, our licensed, professional counselors and therapists at Coleman are here to help you understand what you are experiencing. Together, we’ll develop a plan to problem-solve and work toward achieving your goals.

Group

Healing can come from a shared experience.

Group counseling offers a sense of community. Coleman clients find a sense of relief in realizing that they are not alone in facing similar life challenges. And there is comfort in knowing that it’s safe to participate. Everything shared during group at Coleman is confidential. What is said during group, stays within the group. Small groups of like-minded individuals can offer a helpful sounding board – especially when group members have the opportunity to share the tools, coping skills and resources that have helped them successfully overcome issues.

Teens & Adolescents

We help kids learn, grow and heal.

Mental illnesses are surprisingly common in children and teenagers. Kids today face a wide range of issues that can impact their mental health – from bullying to ADHD to autism spectrum disorder to depression and other mood disorders to eating disorders to PTSD and more. Teen years are also a time when a number of troubling mental health problems may begin to reveal themselves – including eating disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, schizophrenia and suicidal ideation. 

It may be hard to tell the difference between normal childhood development and symptoms of mental illness. We’re here to help, with a team of counseling professionals with specialized education and decades of practical experience working with kids. Our licensed child and adolescent counselors and therapists can use evidence-based, developmentally appropriate therapies to help your child learn, heal and grow.

We help our clients to thrive. 

Every person gets what they need — the high-quality, compassionate, coordinated, person-centered care they deserve. Our experienced and licensed staff work with you to address their specific needs through a wide range of behavioral and mental health services and treatment options. We practice evidence-based, research-proven treatment methods and prescribe supportive medications that can support your recovery and help you feel better, faster. Access complete range of of psychological and psychiatric services — all under one roof:

• Psychiatric Services
• Case Management
• Outpatient Psychotherapy
• Individual & Group Counseling
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation
• Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Treatment
• Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AoD)
• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Coleman mental health professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to initiate mental health treatment and drug and alcohol treatment.

Coleman’s Counseling is available in the following counties:

Allen,  Auglaize,  Hardin,  Jefferson,  Mahoning,  Portage,  Stark,  Summit,  Trumbull

A crisis occurs when a stressful life event overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope effectively in the face of a perceived challenge or threat.

Crises occur at the spur of the moment and in a variety of settings as trauma can arise quickly. Crises are temporary, although the effects may become long lasting. See our 24/7 Crisis Hotline & Walk-in Services.

Crisis intervention is the emergency and temporary care given to an individual who, because of unusual stress in life, is unable to function or cope as he or she normally would.

Our goal at Coleman is to interrupt the downward spiral of negative thinking and to increase stabilization.

Crisis assessment and crisis intervention strategies focus on the client’s immediate situation including factors such as safety and immediate needs.

In addition to our Walk-in Clinic Services, Coleman offers 24/7 Crisis Support (including an Opiate Hotline and National Suicide Lifeline) and a Mobile Response Program for children, teens and adults in distress. 

Mobile Response in Stark County

Stark County Mobile Response Hotline

330-452-6000

A crisis can happen any time, anywhere. Coleman Health Services’ Mobile Response

Adult & Youth programs rapidly deploy culturally-competent, trauma-informed on-site crisis support using behavioral health interventions that are sensitive to the age-specific youth and adults.

The Mobile Response Team is comprised of professionals trained in crisis intervention, information and referral. The team provides mobile behavioral health services to individuals in the home, at school, workplace and in various other community settings.

When can I call? When can the Mobile Response Team be deployed?

Anytime. Available 24 hours every day, including weekends and holidays. 

Who can call the Mobile Response hotline? 

Anyone. 

Co-workers, friends, family members, caregivers, school staff and professionals can call for the Mobile Response Team based on their need of urgent intervention. All situations are considered valid.

When should I call 9-1-1 instead? 

If someone is experiencing the following, immediately call 9-1-1:

• Overdose
• Other Medical Emergencies
• Suicide Attempt / Serious Self-Harm in Progress
• Violence / Threats of Violence / Possession of a Weapon

Opiate Hotline

Opiate Hotline 

330-545-HELP (4357)

Need opiate specific support? Dial the hotline above to receive:

• Immediate access, engagement, triage, screening and support
• Service referral, navigation and linkage
• Education on treatment options for opiate addiction
• All calls are confidential and are accepted anytime, day or night

Remember, an overdose is a medical emergency. Dial 9-1-1 immediately and begin first aid.

More than 300 people in Stark County have overdosed from opioids, including heroin, since 2012 according to the Stark County Coroner’s office. In addition, Ohio experienced the second highest number of drug overdose deaths nationwide in 2014, a number that is soaring according to a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.

National Suicide Lifeline

National Suicide Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

The National Suicide Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

Coleman’s Crisis Intervention and Stabilization is available in the following counties:

Allen,  Auglaize,  Hardin,  Jefferson,  Mahoning,  Portage,  Stark,  Summit,  Trumbull

Jobs for People with Disabilities

At Coleman, we understand that the impact of mental health challenges goes beyond just the medical symptoms. It can also affect your ability to get or keep a job. Our goal is to help you regain your sense of stability and independence by providing practical, hands-on job skills and solid support in preparing you for a career match that’s right for you. Coleman Employment Specialists will also work with you to achieve a work-life balance that addresses job stressors and supports your mental health needs.

Helping Individuals with Disabilities Find Jobs

Many of our clients hope to become more independent in our community. We help them achieve their dreams by supporting the job training and employment services that can make it all possible.

No matter the challenge, we’re here to help.

• Lack of a high school diploma
• Limited or no work experience
• Misdemeanors or felonies
• Other barriers

Our mission is to help change the destiny of our youth and adults by helping find meaningful employment. And our program works to connect our adults and youth clients with the right positions among our local employers.

At Coleman, our Employment Services Program works with our clients right where they’re at in their own lives – to address their immediate issues and concerns. Then, we tailor a personalized action plan, with achievable goals. This is an approach that has helped our clients overcome the impact of illness and disability and has worked to support many successful careers.

How We Help

Coleman Employment Specialists will work with you to develop a personalized plan to help you secure the right job – one you can be proud of. We will work with you to create your resume, complete applications and prepare for interviews. Our services also include helping you find job opportunities that match your skills and interests.

• Supporting the training, skills, and choices necessary for success on the job
• Engaging employers to offer gainful employment
• Matching the right person to the right job – benefiting job seekers and employers alike

Employment & Recovery Go Hand-in-Hand

At Coleman, we also understand that working is a critical part of ongoing recovery and sense of purpose. You want to contribute, be productive and enjoy employment. But that’s not always easy to do alone. That’s why Coleman Employment Specialists work with any client who wants to work! We help people become employed and stay employed.

Coleman Employment Services can offer purpose and help improve our clients’ quality of life by helping them build the skills necessary to achieve and sustain successful and competitive employment. Coleman Employment Services offers customized long-term job retention support to our clients.

All age ranges are welcome — from young adults to senior citizens. Coleman Employment Services accepts referrals from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and other referring partners. We strongly encourage self-referrals in all Coleman counties.

Explore Our Video Gallery to Learn More About Coleman Employment Services

How can Coleman help ME find a job?

Coleman’s Employment Services are available in the following counties:

Allen,  Auglaize,  Hardin,  Jefferson,  Mahoning,  Portage,  Stark,  Summit,  Trumbull

Residential Placement

Stable housing is critical to the recovery process. Coleman helps individuals find temporary and permanent housing to foster independence and build critical skills.

Supportive Living

Coleman recognizes the direct correlation between housing and wellness. We offer specialized residential group living living design to help people integrate back into everyday life that supports their recovery and provides them a platform of strength on their journey from homelessness.

People who benefit from these services come to us from situations that include:

• Emergency shelters
• Domestic violence shelters
• The streets
• Transitional housing programs for homeleness

They often have experienced years of trauma, substance use, abuse and sometimes incarceration.

Our group home programs provides the wellness attention with behavioral health clinicians and nurses – as well as the structure of skills learning, chore responsibilities and ongoing therapy. 

As dignity is restored, Coleman professionals continue to help clients build upon their progress toward independence with job training, housing assistance and more. 

Transitional Aged Youth Apartments

Coleman’s youth transitional services assist youth and young adults with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties in their transition to adulthood. 

A team of case managers, counselors, a child psychiatrist and vocational rehabilitation providers are specialized in providing services to transitional age youth. They collaborate to help clients achieve greater self-sufficiency through housing support (single unit apartments and housing placement), vocational and employment services, and social/professional skill building. 

Apartments

Coleman designed and built two facilities for transition-age youth. They offer stability to young adults ages 18-26 who have been homeless and diagnosed with mental illness or a co-occuring disability. Residents learn daily living activities including cooking, cleaning, leisure and money management, as well as social and communication skills. A house monitor lives onsite to provide support for residents. 

Transition to Independence Process (TIP)

The team utilizes the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) to help youth and their families improve their lives during this transition and beyond. The participants receive:

• Vocational assessment, job development and job placement
• Support and skill building in daily living activities
• Mentoring and coaching in the areas of self-determination
• Mentoring in being good citizens and self-advocations
• Psychiatry, counseling and 24/7 Coleman Access Services

Coleman’s Residential Services is available in the following counties:

Allen,  Auglaize,  Hardin,  Jefferson,  Mahoning,  Portage,  Stark,  Summit,  Trumbull

Payeeship

Social Security Representative Payeeship

In this situation, Coleman is appointed by the Social Security Administration as a qualified representative payee to help individuals who receive Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments manage his or her money. 

The program helps ensure that an individual’s money is being used to meet his or her immediate day-to-day needs for food, housing, recreation and other miscellaneous expenses.

The program also helps an individual establish a budget and be involved with his or her financial decisions as much as possible. It assists individuals in applying for redeterminations of eligibility for entitlements and continuing medical reviews.

Who Needs a Representative Payee?

A representative payee may be needed if an individual is receiving Social Security and/or SSI payments and is unable to pay rent, is facing possible eviction or is unable to pay utilities and/or may have them shut off.

Coleman’s Payee Service is available in the following counties:

Jefferson, Portage, Trumbull