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# JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

**Job Accommodations for People**

**with Drug Addiction**

Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing, and treatable disease. Addiction begins with a conscious choice to use drugs, but addiction is not just "a lot of drug use." Recent scientific research provides overwhelming evidence that not only do drugs interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful feelings of pleasure, but they also have long-term effects on brain metabolism and activity. At some point, changes occur in the brain that can turn drug abuse into addiction. Those addicted to drugs suffer from a compulsive drug craving and usage and cannot quit by themselves.

The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for employees with drug addiction. For a more in depth discussion, access our publication titled “Employees with Drug Addiction” at http://askjan.org/media/drugadd.html. To discuss an accommodation situation with a consultant, contact JAN directly.

**Treatment Needs:**

· Allow use of paid or unpaid leave for inpatient medical treatment 

· Allow use of paid or unpaid leave or flexible scheduling for counseling or to attend support meetings

**Difficulty Handling Stress:**

· Provide praise and positive reinforcement

· Refer to counseling and employee assistance programs

· Allow modified daily schedule

· Allow frequent breaks 

· Provide a self-paced workload 

· Modify supervisory methods

· Reassign to a less stressful job

**Fatigue:**

· Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress

· Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation

· Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time

· Allow work from home

· Implement ergonomic workstation design

**Maintaining Concentration:**

· Reduce distractions in the workplace 

· Provide space enclosures or a private office

· Plan for uninterrupted work time

· Allow for frequent breaks

· Divide large assignments into smaller tasks and steps

· Restructure job to include only essential functions

**Exposure to drugs in the workplace (e.g. hospitals, pharmacies):**

· Provide workplace supports

· Provide extra supervision

· Reassign to a position that does not involve exposure to drugs

**Resources Specifically for People with Drug Addiction**

**Addiction Resource Guide**

P.O. Box 8612

Tarrytown, NY 10591

Direct: (914)725-5151

Fax: (914)631-8077

info@addictionresourceguide.com 

http://www.addictionresourceguide.com

**American Society of Addiction Medicine**

4601 North Park Ave, Arcade Suite 101

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Direct: (301)656-3920

Fax: (301)656-3815

email@asam.org

http://www.asam.org

**National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University**

633 Third Ave., 15th Floor

New York, NY 10017-6706

Direct: (212)841-5200

Fax: (212)956-8020

http://www.casacolumbia.org 

**National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information**

PO Box 2345

Rockville, MD 20847

Toll Free: (800)729-6686

Direct: (301)468-2600

TTY: (800)487-4889

Fax: (301)486-6433

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

**National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health**

6001 Executive Boulevard Room 5213

Bethesda, MD 20892-9561

Direct: (301)443-1124

http://www.nida.nih.gov

**Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration**

1 Choke Cherry Road

Rockville, MD 20847

Toll Free: (800)729-6686

Direct: (301)443-6780

TTY: (800)487-4889

Fax: (301)443-9050

dgoodman@samhsa.gov

http://www.samhsa.gov

**Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace**

U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Avenue, Room S-2312

Washington, DC 20210

Toll Free: (202)693-5919

Fax: (202)693-5961

webwp@dol.gov

http://www.dol.gov/workingpartners

3/23/10

This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network, funded by a contract agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (DOL079RP20426). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Job Accommodations for People with Drug Addiction

Fact Sheet Series