Interventions for Families Living with Addiction

A recent report in Australia put the cost to the nation's economy as high as $16 billion for substance abuse in lost productivity, health care costs and crime. Drug abuse and behaviour addictions exist across all levels of society and in every area of the workplace. No profession is excluded.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, most untreated addicts are actively employed. They hold positions from hourly employment to top executives and professionals. However, addiction and dependency do not have to create, and perpetuate, a crisis in the organization.

Waiting for spontaneous insight from an addicted person is futile and disciplinary action, which is often counterproductive to recovery and workplace/professional reintegration, does little to intervene in the disease of addiction.