Alcohol in the Workplace: A Qualitative Study of Employees' Experiences With Employer-Supported Alcohol Treatment

Alcohol use disorder is a major public health issue, impacting health, well-being, relationships and work performance. In Sweden, employers are legally required to provide access to and cover the cost of alcohol treatment for individuals with alcohol use disorder. Employer-supported alcohol treatment is therefore rather common in Sweden; however, research on employees' experiences with this type of treatment remains unexplored. This qualitative study investigates how a group of Swedish employees who had received employer-supported alcohol treatment experienced workplace management before, during and after treatment.

Interviews with 15 participants were analysed using thematic analysis, revealing three key themes.

The first theme highlights that many participants viewed their employer as a lifeline, experiencing relief when they received support to seek help for their alcohol problems. The second theme captures employees' reliance on their employer's ability to handle the situation, emphasising the crucial role managers play in the process, with varying levels of competence and support. Third, participants often felt alone upon returning to work, facing a discrepancy between their expectations of support and the actual workplace support provided post-treatment.

The findings show how employer-supported treatment may facilitate access to care and workplace reintegration under relatively favourable circumstances, particularly when supported by managerial competence, clear routines and continued follow-up.