According to the May 2021 Mental Health Index report, the use of alcohol and other drugs during the course of the pandemic has increased. Nearly one-third of Americans reported increased alcohol consumption since the start of the pandemic and 29 percent of drug users reported an increase in drug use during the same period. A quarter of those surveyed reported their drug and/or alcohol use made it difficult to complete job duties and responsibilities. SUD – commonly called “addition” – can qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so employers may have an obligation to accommodate individuals with SUD.
