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Workplace Substance Abuse: Drug and Alcohol

24 minutesEN / ES / MLCCHR ComplianceDrug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, DOT 49 CFR Part 40 (safety-sensitive positions)
Quick Answer

Workplace Substance Abuse: Drug and Alcohol is a 24-minute online course that educates employees on the effects of drug and alcohol misuse in the workplace, employer drug-free workplace policies, testing procedures, and available support resources including employee assistance programs. It is designed for all employees and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

The National Safety Council reports that employees with substance use disorders miss nearly 50% more workdays than their peers and are involved in workplace accidents at significantly higher rates. SAMHSA data indicates that over 9% of full-time workers have a substance use disorder, costing U.S. employers an estimated $81 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, healthcare costs, and workers' compensation claims. For employers in safety-sensitive industries, the stakes are even higher - a single impairment-related incident can result in fatalities, OSHA investigations, and catastrophic liability.

This course provides your entire workforce with a clear understanding of how substance abuse affects workplace safety, productivity, and team dynamics. Your employees will learn about the effects of commonly abused substances, understand your company's drug-free workplace policies and testing procedures, and know the support resources available to them. The course emphasizes a balanced approach that supports employees who seek help while reinforcing the employer's obligation to maintain a safe work environment.

What You'll Learn

  • Effects of commonly abused substances on workplace performance and safety
  • Drug-Free Workplace Act requirements and employer policy frameworks
  • Types of workplace drug and alcohol testing: pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion
  • Employee rights and responsibilities under drug-free workplace policies
  • Employee assistance programs (EAPs) and support resources for employees seeking help
  • The relationship between substance abuse and workplace accidents, absenteeism, and turnover
  • State-specific considerations for marijuana and evolving substance use laws

Who Needs This Training

  • All employees as part of drug-free workplace program compliance
  • New hires completing onboarding requirements for substance abuse awareness
  • Employees in DOT-regulated safety-sensitive positions
  • Manufacturing, warehouse, and construction workers in high-hazard environments
  • HR professionals who administer drug-free workplace programs
  • Supervisors and managers who need foundational substance abuse awareness before completing reasonable suspicion training

Regulatory Background

The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires federal contractors and grantees to maintain drug-free workplace policies, including employee notification and awareness programs. For DOT-regulated industries, 49 CFR Part 40 establishes comprehensive drug and alcohol testing requirements for safety-sensitive positions. OSHA's General Duty Clause (29 USC 654, Section 5(a)(1)) requires employers to maintain workplaces free from recognized hazards, and impaired employees in safety-sensitive roles represent a clear recognized hazard. The National Safety Council estimates that employers spend approximately $81 billion annually on costs related to employee substance use disorders. Beyond federal mandates, most states permit and many encourage drug-free workplace programs, with several offering workers' compensation premium discounts for employers who implement qualifying programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires federal contractors and grantees to establish drug-free workplace policies, notify employees of those policies, and establish awareness programs, but it does not mandate drug testing. Drug testing requirements come from other regulations, including DOT 49 CFR Part 40 for safety-sensitive positions, state drug-free workplace programs, and individual employer policies.
Most state marijuana legalization laws include employer protections that allow companies to maintain and enforce drug-free workplace policies. However, several states, including California, New York, New Jersey, and Nevada, have enacted employment protections that restrict employers from taking adverse action based solely on a positive marijuana test without evidence of on-the-job impairment. Employers should review their state's specific laws and consult legal counsel when updating their substance abuse policies.
Common types include pre-employment testing, random testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing. The types of testing permitted vary by state law and industry regulation. DOT-regulated employers must conduct all six types under 49 CFR Part 40. Non-DOT employers should verify that their testing programs comply with applicable state law, as some states restrict certain testing types.
Employers should refer the employee to their employee assistance program (EAP) or other support resources. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, alcoholism and past drug addiction may qualify as disabilities, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations such as modified schedules for treatment attendance. However, the ADA does not protect employees who are currently using illegal drugs. Employers must balance support with their obligation to maintain a safe workplace.
Workplace substance abuse training is designed for all employees and covers general awareness of substance abuse risks, company policies, testing procedures, and available support resources. Reasonable suspicion training is designed specifically for supervisors and managers and teaches them how to recognize the signs of impairment, document their observations, and initiate the testing process. Both courses are components of a comprehensive drug-free workplace program.
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$24.95
per person