Prevention Expert Calls for Irish Workplace Action as Substance Use Costs Soar to €8.5 Billion Annually

World Mental Health Day 2025: New Data Reveals Critical Link Between Mental Health and Workplace Substance Misuse

DUBLIN, Ireland – October 9, 2025 – As Ireland observes World Mental Health Day 2025, Prevention Is Better is urging Irish employers to address the escalating crisis of workplace substance use that is costing the nation €8.5 billion annually in lost productivity while devastating employee mental health and family wellbeing.

New research reveals alarming trends across Irish workplaces: one in five workers struggles with substance use, and the proportion of people receiving drug treatment and are currently employed has surged 130% from 8.9% in 2015 to 20.5% in 2021. Despite these statistics, only 30% of Irish employers offer formal substance misuse programs or training.

"Substance use in the workplace is totally preventable with proper education and early intervention," said Ryan Scott Ulrich, CEO and Co-founder of Prevention Is Better, who brings 24 years of lived recovery experience to his prevention work. "Many people in active employment struggle with substance misuse or experience negative impacts from regular use of alcohol and other drugs. It's crucial to provide information and support before problems escalate, because the dramatic impact affects not just productivity, but entire families and communities."

Mr. Ulrich emphasizes that employers often struggle with these conversations, leading to a missed opportunity to address the problem early and provide needed support.

"By confronting these issues head-on, we can implement specific, evidence-based strategies that create healthier workplaces. This represents one of the biggest areas of productivity loss in any organisation, but by addressing it properly, we can make dramatic improvements in health, wellbeing, workplace culture, and ultimately in families with children and parents affected by these challenges."

The Hidden Connection: Mental Health and Substance Use

The data reveals a critical intersection often overlooked by traditional workplace wellness programs: 75% of people with substance use disorders have co-occurring mental health conditions, typically rooted in trauma. This connection makes standalone approaches to either mental health or substance use prevention far less effective than integrated, trauma-informed strategies.

Key statistics driving the need for urgent action:

€8.5 billion – Annual cost of alcohol misuse to Irish workplace productivity
1 in 5 Irish workers struggles with substance use
75% of people with substance use disorders have co-occurring mental health conditions
130% increase people receiving drug treatment who are also in employment(2015-2021)
Only 30% of Irish employers offer formal substance misuse programs

Legal Obligations and Business Imperatives

Under the Health, Safety & Welfare at Work Act 2005, Irish employers have a legal duty of care to prevent health risks from substance use among employees and to protect workers affected by colleagues' use. Substance use disorder is recognised as a disability under Irish law, requiring reasonable accommodation and protection from discrimination.

"Many employers don't realise they have specific legal obligations around workplace substance use," Mr. Ulrich explained. "But beyond compliance, there's a compelling business case. Organisations implementing trauma-informed prevention programs see 30-40% reductions in risky behaviours and significant returns on investment through improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and better employee retention."

Evidence-Based Solutions with Global Reach

Prevention Is Better's trauma-informed prevention model has been successfully implemented across Ireland, Europe, China, and Indigenous communities in Canada. The approach combines lived-experience leadership with rigorous research to address root causes before crises occur.

The comprehensive workplace program includes:

Social norms education that corrects misperceptions and reduces risky behaviour by 30-40%
Trauma-informed care addressing underlying causes of both mental health and substance use challenges
Legal compliance guidance on duty of care and disability accommodation requirements
Culturally adapted implementation strategies for Irish workplace contexts
Evidence-based measurement and evaluation systems

Call for Industry Leadership

As Ireland grapples with the intersection of mental health awareness and workplace substance use, Mr. Ulrich is calling on business leaders to move beyond crisis management toward prevention-first strategies.

"This World Mental Health Day, we're challenging Irish employers to think differently," he said. "Instead of waiting for substance use problems to impact productivity, mental health, and workplace safety, we can prevent these issues through education, early intervention, and creating supportive workplace cultures where people feel safe to seek help."

About Prevention Is Better

Prevention Is Better is Ireland's leading provider of trauma-informed, evidence-based substance use prevention programmes for workplaces. Founded by Ryan Scott Ulrich, who brings 24 years of lived recovery experience combined with extensive corporate communications expertise, and Chuck Ma, who brings over 30 years of IT experience and youth work to the company, the organisation has successfully implemented prevention programs across multiple countries and cultural contexts.

Mr. Ulrich holds advanced degrees and has worked across Ireland, Europe, China, and Indigenous communities in Canada, combining personal insight with rigorous research to deliver measurable outcomes for organizations committed to employee wellbeing and productivity.

Media Contact & Interview Availability

Ryan Scott Ulrich is available for interviews, commentary, and to provide additional data and case studies on trauma-informed workplace prevention programs.

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