title: Alcohol & drug abuse: Revisiting employee assistance programs and substance use problems in the workplace: key issues and a research agenda.
abstract: This column describes employee assistance program (EAPs) and identifies key issues for contemporary EAPs. These programs began as occupational alcohol programs and have evolved into more comprehensive resources. To better understand contemporary EAPs, the authors suggest a research agenda that includes descriptive studies to provide an up-to-date picture of services; investigations of how contemporary EAPs address substance use problems, including management consultation for early identification; further study of EAPs' effects on outcomes, such as productivity and work group outcomes; examination of the relationship between EAPs and other workplace resources; further examination of influences on EAP utilization; and development and testing of EAP performance measures.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Health, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, MS 035, 415 South St., Waltham, MA 02454-9110, USA. merrick@brandeis.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth S Levy
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Merrick
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Volpe-Vartanian
authors.forename: Constance M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Horgan
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McCann
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism; D006801:Humans; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012106:Research; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace