Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) & Substance Use Disorder Services

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) offer support for employee well-being by making it easier to access mental health resources, including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.¹ These confidential, employer-sponsored resources can help employees access assessments, counseling, and in some cases, specialized treatment services. When companies integrate SUD treatment into an EAP, they ensure that employees struggling with addiction have access to the resources they need to thrive in and out of the workplace.

What Is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

An EAP is a workplace initiative designed to provide services for the emotional, financial, and social health of employees within a company.¹ 

If you’re wondering, “What can EAP help with?” or “What does an EAP do?” the answer is: a lot. EAPs offer a variety of confidential services that help set employees up for success in both their personal and professional lives.¹ Some of the services that EAPs provide include:¹

• Counseling: Short-term counseling services are often offered as a part of a company’s EAP, providing support for issues including anxiety, depression, grief, and stress, as well as family or personal issues.
• Work-life balance support: EAPs can offer programming to help employees manage home and work responsibilities. This may include things like finding childcare or care for other family members (such as elderly parents).
• Financial or legal advice: Employers may provide programs to help employees with budgeting, debt management, and legal issues.
• Substance use resources: EAP substance use disorder treatment is often available for employees living with addiction.
• Crisis management: EAPs can provide employees with help during unexpected events, including natural disasters, personal crises, and workplace incidents.

How Does an EAP Work?

Let’s take a look at some of the main components that make an EAP useful.¹

• Confidentiality: Services accessed through EAPs are typically confidential, making it less daunting for employees to ask for help, especially when it comes to using EAPs for addiction.
• Access: It’s usually easy for employees to access services through their company’s EAP. Hotlines, online portals, and private in-person sessions provide options for employees to get the help they need in a way that makes sense for them.
• Employer-sponsored: EAP services are available to employees (and, often, their family members) as a part of their benefits package, meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost for services.

Using an Employee Assistance Program for Addiction Recovery

An EAP may cover various types of SUD treatment in different settings, including:

• Medical detox.
• Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab.
• Outpatient addiction treatment.
• Intensive outpatient addiction treatment programs. 
• Partial hospitalization rehab programs.
• Addiction treatment aftercare, such as sober living.

Employee assistance program substance abuse treatment is often available for employees with access to EAPs. Designed to support employees who are experiencing personal challenges, many organizations offer EAP alcohol addiction and drug addiction support.

If you feel comfortable speaking to the human resources (HR) department at your workplace, they can guide you to your organization’s EAP. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your HR department, use your employee handbook or company website to understand how to contact your EAP to learn about the services offered for SUD.

Drug & Alcohol Rehabs That May Accept EAP Coverage

American Addiction Centers (AAC) owns and operates facilities at various locations nationwide to provide you or your loved one with addiction and mental health care. We can help you through the process of using your EAP and health insurance coverage for addiction treatment. Reach out to the AAC team today at to learn more about getting started. AAC facilities that may accept your EAP and insurance include:

• Greenhouse Treatment Center in Grand Prairie, Texas.
• Laguna Treatment Center in Laguna Beach, California.
• Oxford Treatment Center in Etta, Mississippi.
• River Oaks Treatment Center in Riverview, Florida.
• AdCare Rhode Island in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
• Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Recovery First Treatment Center in Hollywood, Florida.

Pros & Cons of EAPs

Let’s explore some of the considerations you’ll want to make before you decide whether it makes for you to use your EAP for substance use disorder treatment.

Pros of EAPs

Some of the pros of using your EAP to get treatment for substance use disorder include:^{1, 2}

• Confidentiality: EAPs offer confidential support that makes it easier for you to get the care you need, without having to worry about judgment or repercussions in the workplace.
• Wide range of services: EAPs can address a wide variety of challenges, including mental health issues, substance use disorder, financial problems, family conflicts, and work-life balance issues.
• Cost-effective for employees: Since EAPs are free to employees, utilizing the services offered can be a cost-effective way to get the help that you need to recover from addiction.

Cons of EAPs

Some possible cons of EAPs include:

• Restricted access: Some EAPs limit the number of sessions that an employee can have within the program. This can mean that people who need long-term treatment are unable to get the care that they need through an EAP.
• Quality and consistency of care varies: Within an EAP, the quality of services and treatment providers can vary, which can impact the effectiveness of care.

EAP Eligibility

Your EAP eligibility will depend on several factors, including:^{1, 2}

• Employee status: Full- and part-time employees are typically eligible for EAP benefits. This may not extend to contract employees.
• Family member coverage: EAPs often offer coverage to immediate family members, as well as other dependents living in the household.
• Retirement status: Some EAPs assist retired employees for a limited amount of time after they cease working for the company.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify for your company’s EAP, you’ll be able to find information in your employee handbook or the benefits section of your employee contract.

Start the Recovery Journey

If you’re ready to get started with the journey to recovery, we can help. Reach out to the American Addiction Centers (AAC) team today to learn more about the process of getting treatment. We offer confidential, free, no-obligation support to help you decide what type of treatment is the right fit for your needs. Explore our addiction treatment facility locations, and reach out to us at to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one.