Bob Brostoski, M.S.W., L.S.C.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Mark Rembecki, M.A., L.P.C., CASAC, CCGC

Alcohol abuse affects 1 in 7 Americans and is the fourth leading reason employees and their family members seek Employee Assistance Program services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDH&HS) reports 5% of Americans use illicit drugs and 6.6% in full time jobs report heavy drinking. At least 73% of all drug users have some level of employment. The estimated annual loss to American business productivity from drug and alcohol use is $80 billion, with the overall cost to society estimated to be $246 billion.

USDH&HS Alcohol and Drug defines alcoholism and drug addiction as complex brain diseases which can result in relapses even after long periods of abstinence. Signs and symptoms of addiction to substances include:

• Craving - The urge to drink alcohol or use drugs can be as strong as the need for food or water
• Loss of control - The inability to stop using drugs or drinking alcohol despite serious consequences
• Physical dependence - The presence of symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shakiness and anxiety after stopping drinking or using addictive drugs
• Tolerance - the need to drink or use greater amounts of the substance to get "high"
  

To access additional information pertaining to substance abuse assessment and treatment, you can also visit any of the Websites listed below. To schedule an appointment with your Saint Luke's Health system EAP counselor call 1-800-EAP-1223.

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism
• Alcohol & Drug Information
• National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence