Low-threshold support in occupational health
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Substance abuse services for employees
Are you concerned about substance abuse? We’re here to help.
Are you thinking or worried about your relationship with intoxicants? You are not alone. Many people are thinking about their own substance use and need a change. Taking the first step may seem difficult, but just reading this is a sign that you are ready to reflect on your situation.
The Mehiläinen occupational health team is there for you - confidentially and without judgement.
Your privacy is important to us
All your discussions with the occupational health team professional are always completely confidential. Your data will never be shared with your employer without your express permission. You can talk about your situation openly and safely.
Do you recognise yourself from these reflections?
Sometimes it is difficult to recognise your own situation. The occupational health support may be the right place to turn to when you want to clarify your thoughts related to, for example:
Use of intoxicants is always on your mind and raises your concerns.
People close to you have expressed concerns/commented on your substance use.
You are concerned about the substance abuse of a person close to you.
Your use of intoxicants affects your everyday life, relationships, hobbies or work.
You find it difficult to relax or have fun without intoxicants.
You use substances more often or more than you originally planned.
It’s easy to take the first step - this is how you get started
Seeking help has been made as easy as possible. You can choose the most convenient way to contact us:
OmaMehiläinen Digital Clinic has a Concern about my own coping chat, where you can discuss substance abuse issues with a low threshold. You can also request a referral from Digital Clinic (or a designated occupational health nurse) for a substance abuse nurse’s situation assessment at the clinic or remotely. The substance abuse nurse will help you map the situation, provide you with a recommendation for further treatment and can start a substance abuse treatment programme with you.
Appointments are available at the clinic or remotely. The nurse will support you and help you find the suitable support measures for you, such as lifestyle counselling. Depending on the scope of your occupational health agreement, you may have access to different services.
More information and free tools
You can always get more information about substance abuse services included in your occupational health agreement from your occupational health nurse, employer or Mehiläinen’s customer service.
- In OmaMehiläinen, you can find a free video library which includes information packages on substance abuse.
- As our occupational health customer, you have access to a free five-week online coaching programme called Assess Your Alcohol Use in OmaMehiläinen.
Learn more about OmaMehiläinen
Remember that you are not alone with your worries. Timely support helps you cope and improves your quality of life at work and during free time.
Substance abuse treatment services
A substance abuse assessment is an easy and quick way to obtain an evaluation of your situation from a substance abuse professional.
The situation assessment is suitable for you when you are worried about your own intoxicant use. The supervisor and/or an occupational health team specialist may also need to assess the situation if they are concerned about your substance abuse.
The assessment includes a situational evaluation of your substance use by a substance abuse professional. The assessment is carried out as part of the treatment referral process to support the drawing up of a treatment plan. When seeking treatment through occupational health care, a summary of the situation and a treatment recommendation are also provided to the occupational health care specialist.
The assessment is carried out on an employee-specific basis at a Mehiläinen substance abuse nurse’s appointment. If necessary, the assessment can be carried out over several appointments. Video appointment implementation is also possible.
Ask your occupational health nurse if the service is included in your occupational health care.
Who is it for:
When you, your supervisor or occupational health care are concerned about your substance use and/or well-being. You have noticed that the use of intoxicants has already caused you worries and you would like to receive instructions on how to make the change from a specialist.
Starting the programme:
You can book an appointment with an occupational health nurse who is familiar with substance abuse treatment yourself or under the guidance of occupational health care.
Content (five consultations):
- Individual treatment plan with goals
- Identifying risk situations and mapping resources
- Working towards change
- Final assessment and, if necessary, a follow-up treatment recommendation
- Duration max. 3 months
Who is it for:
When you, your supervisor or occupational health care are concerned about your substance use and well-being or when you have already been diagnosed with a mild substance use disorder.
Starting the programme:
A referral is required. Occupational health care refers the employee to a substance abuse nurse for a substance abuse assessment.
Content (10 treatment visits and 2 treatment negotiations):
- Individual treatment plan with goals
- Identifying risk situations and mapping resources
- In-depth work towards change
- Mid-point assessment and goal review
- Final assessment and, if necessary, a follow-up treatment recommendation
- Duration from six months to two years
Ask your occupational health nurse if the service is included in your occupational health care.
Who is it for:
When you, your supervisor or occupational health care are concerned about your substance use and well-being or when a possible diagnosis of addiction has been identified.
Starting the programme:
A referral is required. Occupational health care refers the employee to a substance abuse nurse for a substance abuse assessment.
Content (20 treatment visits and 3 treatment consultations):
- Individual treatment plan with goals
- Identifying risk situations and mapping resources
- In-depth and future-oriented work towards change
- Mid-point assessment and goal review
- Final assessment and, if necessary, a follow-up treatment recommendation
- Duration from six months to two years
Ask your occupational health nurse if the service is included in your occupational health care.
The peer support group led by substance abuse nurses is intended for customers who are currently receiving or have previously received substance abuse treatment at Mehiläinen Working Life Services and struggle with alcohol or drug use. The goal of the group is to support treatment and maintain change after treatment.
The size of the closed group is 4–6 people. The group meets once a month in 90-minute remote meetings for a total of five times. Anonymous participation is possible.
The themes discussed in the group include:
- Ways to maintain abstinence
- Maintaining change and well-being
- Challenges related to well-being, e.g. insomnia
- Relapse as a learning experience
- Information about substances and their effects
Preventive health and work ability support programmes are an alternative way to receive support alongside traditional appointments, and they are included in all of our occupational health agreements that cover remote services.
The coaching programmes can be started at an occupational health nurse’s appointment or via the Support for Lifestyle Change chat at OmaMehiläinen Digital Clinic.
Our occupational health customers can access the five-week Evaluate Your Alcohol Use coaching programme free of charge. The programme can be found in the OmaMehiläinen service (also available in Swedish). The coaching does not include remote support or appointments, but our customers can contact their own occupational health nurse via OmaMehiläinen, if necessary.
The programmes supported by digital content which we offer for managing substance use and addiction:
- Quitting Smoking – a programme for quitting smoking (duration 13 weeks, includes three meetings with an occupational health nurse and remote support)
- Drink Less – a programme for reducing alcohol consumption (duration 12 weeks, includes three meetings with an occupational health nurse and remote support)
- Quitting Problematic Gambling – a programme for controlling gambling (duration 12 weeks, includes four meetings with an occupational health nurse, remote support and one meeting with a work coach)
Read more about preventive programmes to support health and work ability
