Estimating Absenteeism Related to Nonalcohol Substance Use in a US National Cohort of Full-Time Employees

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to estimate absenteeism due to substance use disorder among full-time employees.

Methods: We used the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to identify a sample of individuals employed full time. We used a survey-weighted multivariable negative binomial model to evaluate the association between absenteeism and type of substance use disorder controlling for available demographic information.

Results: In the adjusted model, we estimated that opioid use without a disorder had the highest absenteeism for use, and polysubstance use disorder had the highest absenteeism among use disorders. In a hypothetical firm of 10,000 employees, we estimate $232,000 of lost wage value annually.

Conclusions: Substance use is associated with absenteeism and presents a compelling argument for employers to promote programs that support treatment for employees and reduce downstream costs associated with absenteeism and turnover.