Promoting Recovery in Academic Workplaces: Resources for University Faculty and Staff

Higher education has an increasing diversity in relation to various social identities one of the identities that remains under studied is faculty and staff with substance use disorders (SUDs). This study evaluates the support services across Illinois's 12 public universities for employees experiencing SUDs or maintaining recovery. Through a systematic content analysis of human resource documents, employee handbooks, and university websites, we assessed current support mechanisms, identified areas of service gaps, and examined barriers to access. The findings demonstrate considerable differences in workplace accommodations, employee assistance programs, and leave policies. Most institutions do not have overarching policies that allow for workplace support and recovery-oriented accommodations, thereby restricting access to needed resources. The study highlights the need for standardized and equitable support systems across institutions. The study will help provide avenues for universities to respond to assisting their staff with SUDs.