Unions have long advocated for decent working conditions, equitable compensation, and safety on the job. From fair wages to safe work environments, collective bargaining has helped workers protect what matters most. But one area is still too often overlooked: substance use and mental health.
Mental health challenges—including substance use—affect every corner of the workforce, and unions are uniquely positioned to lead the charge toward safer, more supportive environments. When union voices speak up, industries listen. That power can help ensure every member has access to the care they need to stay healthy, safe, and strong—for themselves and their families.
As conversations around mental health grow louder, substance use disorder (SUD) continues to carry a heavy burden of stigma. And for many union members—who often face physically demanding, high-pressure, and high-risk roles—the silence can be devastating.
It’s time to change that. Untreated SUD not only hurts individuals—it impacts entire families, workforces, and union communities.
How stigma blocks support for substance use disorder
When someone breaks a bone or strains a muscle on the job, they get care and support. But when the injury is invisible—like addiction—it’s often met with judgment, silence, or punishment.
SUD is not a personal failure. It’s a medical condition shaped by biology, environment, and life experience. Still, only 7% of people with SUD receive treatment, even though recovery is possible and effective care exists.
Why don’t more people reach out for help? Because stigma tells them to stay quiet. Because traditional systems are confusing, fragmented, and hard to navigate. And because many workers fear retaliation instead of support.
That silence carries a steep price for members, families, and unions.
A growing crisis for working families
Substance use is rising at alarming rates. Overdose deaths now outpace COVID-19 fatalities in many regions. The crisis is affecting working-class families across the country, and for union workers, the risks can be even greater due to chronic stress, shift work, and physically dangerous environments.
The numbers tell a stark story:
- People with SUD face 2.7x higher healthcare costs than peers without the condition.
- They take nearly 50% more unscheduled leave and are 44% more likely to leave their jobs.
- Though only a small portion of employees are diagnosed, SUD now drives over 37% of all behavioral health spending.
And yet, far too many go without substance use support until they’re in crisis—putting their health, job, and financial future at risk.
Why traditional substance use disorder treatment fails union workers
Most SUD support systems weren’t built with workers in mind. They wait until someone reaches a breaking point, then offer a narrow path: expensive rehab, rigid outpatient programs, or long waitlists.
Even then, the care often fails:
- Long delays and scheduling conflicts with shift work
- “Ghost networks” with no real access to providers
- Out-of-pocket costs or surprise bills
- Lack of coordination between therapists, doctors, and coaches
- Programs that don’t reflect cultural or personal realities
That approach isn’t just outdated—it’s ineffective. It’s why 40–75% of people relapse within six months when care is fragmented.
What union members need and deserve
Union members need care that respects their schedules, goals, and real-life barriers. They need a path to recovery that doesn’t jeopardize their jobs or dignity. And they deserve care that meets them where they are—without shame.
That’s what Spring Health provides through a modern, union-ready approach:
- Timely access: Appointments are available in under two days, with 100% in-network providers.
- Personalized care: Support is matched to each person’s stage of change—whether they’re exploring sobriety or navigating cravings.
- Comprehensive services: Coaching, therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and peer support—all in one place.
- Ongoing connection: Care Navigators guide and support individuals throughout their journey, not just at intake.
- Proven outcomes: Participants experience a 57% drop in total healthcare costs, and employers save over $35,000 per person in reduced absenteeism, disability claims, and turnover.
Most importantly, this model protects privacy and respects the realities of working people.
Overcoming barriers: Meeting workers where they are
Not everyone struggling with substance use is ready to quit. That’s why the best programs don’t demand perfection—they foster progress.
Spring Health uses tools like motivational interviewing to meet people where they are. Whether someone wants to cut back, reduce harm, or quit completely, the program adjusts to support that journey. It emphasizes small wins, curiosity over shame, and recovery over punishment.
This approach helps workers build confidence, clarify goals, and discover healthier ways to cope with stress—especially when that stress comes from the job itself.
The union’s role: Breaking the stigma, leading the way
Unions are positioned to shift the narrative around SUD in the workplace. By making mental health and substance use concerns part of everyday conversation, unions can:
- Normalize getting help: Position SUD the same way we treat any other health issue—because it is one.
- Protect confidentiality: Communicate that support is private and protected.
- Distribute information through trusted channels: Use flyers, QR codes, meetings, and direct outreach to make sure members know how to access help.
- Advocate for better programs: Demand that employers and benefits providers use solutions that actually work.
Unions can also include mental health and substance use care in collective bargaining agreements, ensuring members have equitable access to modern, effective care that’s aligned with union values.
It's time for a new standard of SUD care
SUD doesn’t discriminate, but support systems still do. Let’s build a future where every worker—not just those in crisis—has access to care that protects their well-being, jobs, and families.
Spring Health’s SUD program is designed with that future in mind. It’s fast, confidential, and proven. And it’s built for real people—hardworking union members who deserve better than silence and stigma.
Because when one member struggles, the union stands together. Addressing SUD with compassion, urgency, and proven care isn’t just a benefit—it’s a reflection of union values.
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