Substance use disorder affects employees across every industry, and many workplaces are not equipped to support recovery in ways that keep people safe and connected to help.

The Michigan Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) initiative is led in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, helping employers build workplace cultures that support recovery and long‑term stability. The initiative includes the design and delivery of no‑cost training, stigma‑reduction education, and connections to practical, community‑based recovery resources.

Through RFW, employers receive clear guidance and hands‑on support, including access to peer recovery coaches, naloxone safety training, and evidence‑based policies that help remove barriers to recovery. Direct engagement with employers across sectors strengthens understanding of substance use disorder as a health condition and supports implementation of approaches that protect both employees and workplace safety.

To support movement from learning to action, a statewide network of Recovery Friendly Advisors is coordinated in partnership with local Recovery Community Organizations. Advisors provide tailored guidance and ongoing support grounded in local expertise to help employers implement recovery‑friendly practices.

As a result of leadership and technical assistance, 42 Michigan employers, ranging from small organizations to workplaces with up to 8,000 staff, have earned the Recovery Friendly Workplace designation. More than 900 leaders statewide have completed MPHI‑led training, expanding recovery‑supportive practices across Michigan workplaces.