Understanding When Substance Use Is Industrial

Substance use following a workplace injury is often misunderstood, overlooked, or addressed too late. Yet for many injured employees, especially first responders and those living with PTSD or chronic pain, substance use is not a moral failing but a physiological and neurological response to trauma. This webinar will help attendees better understand the connection between trauma experienced on the job and substance use. In California, substance use/abuse on its own is not covered. However, as a comorbidity or barrier to treatment, an industrial injury or trauma can and should be treated.

This educational session focuses on substance use as an industrial injury and explores how to recognize when it’s time to seek specialized, evidence-based treatment. Our discussion will also address the unique cultural and social challenges faced by first responders. Many enter rehabilitation programs only to find themselves isolated from the very community that once gave them purpose and belonging, creating significant barriers to engagement and recovery. In addition, the pervasive acceptance of alcohol use within first responder culture can blur the line between coping and dependency, making it even harder to recognize when help is needed.

Attendees will learn how unrecognized or untreated substance use can delay recovery, complicate surgery approvals, and prolong disability. Expert panelists will discuss how to identify the signs that indicate an injured employee needs a higher level of coordinated treatment, covering trauma-informed care, medical safety, social connection, and recovery planning across disciplines. Participants will leave with a practical framework for determining when to act, what to ask, and how to ensure the right level of care is in place.