New Start for Substance Abuse Clinical Summary

How the Program Works | Facts You Need to Know | Compliance Management

How the Program Works

Matria’s New Start Substance Abuse Program allows employees to return to work immediately after detoxification by providing scheduled telephone calls with licensed mental health professionals. Upon enrollment in the program, employees are first assessed for the appropriate level of care needed to successfully complete the program.

Then they begin working with mental health professionals with additional training in substance abuse, who work with employees to develop customized treatment plans best suited to their needs. In these relationships, employees learn effective tools to help them successfully maintain their sobriety, experience successful relationships and take full responsibility for their recovery.

• Employees are monitored for compliance for six months.
• Compliance reports are sent to employers (when appropriate).
• Employees receive unlimited access to counseling services.
• Referrals to community-based support groups are suggested when appropriate.
• A certificate is provided upon completion of the six-month program.
• Follow-up services and support are provided.

Facts You Need to Know

Ten percent of workers are abusing drugs and/or alcohol, costing employers $80 billion, or $9,600 per abuser. The total economic cost of substance abuse in 1992 was $245.7 billion. Here are a few other startling statistics regarding substance abuse in the workplace:

• Substance abuse causes 65 percent of work site accidents.
• Abusers file three times more medical claims than nonabusers and six times more workers' compensation claims.
• Abusers are absent from work 16 times more than nonabusers.

Traditional treatment has included inpatient- or outpatient-delivered services, most often in isolation from the impacted workplace with success rates ranging from 8 percent to 15 percent.

Compliance Management

Matria’s substance abuse program is highly structured with individualized plans that include workplace and recovery goals. Licensed mental health professionals monitor the employee’s compliance with their treatment plan, which could include all or any of the following:

• Regular attendance to scheduled sessions or support group meetings
• Medication compliance when appropriate
• Abstinence from addictive substances
• Fulfillment of “condition of employment” goals established to improve performance and productivity
• Fulfillment of personal, family and relationship goals

Noncompliance with the specified treatment plan may result in termination in cases where employers have set up conditions for employment guidelines.