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North Carolina Pilot Project Addresses Some of the Biggest Challenges Facing Employers & Employees Today.

Making a Difference in North Carolina

Supported by North Carolina State Contract #47480, this initiative is currently underway in Cabarrus and Stanly Counties with additional counties in the forecast throughout 2025-27.

Despite that North Carolina has a wealth of resources and technology, as well as health and social service providers, many people are unaware of the resources available to them. Resources are going underutilized and the state is losing return on their existing investments. Even more importantly, needs are unmet and communities, employees, and employers are suffering.

Factors Influencing Addiction Rates in North Carolina

Socioeconomic Status (SES) -

Refers to an individual's or a group's position within a social hierarchy based on a combination of factors such as income, education, and occupation. It reflects one's access to resources, opportunities, and overall quality of life. SES can significantly impact various aspects of life, including health outcomes, educational attainment, and social mobility. It is often used as a lens to understand disparities and inequalities within societies.

Access to Healthcare -

Refers to having the ability to receive medical services when needed. It involves being able to find and afford doctors, hospitals, medications, and treatments that help maintain or improve health. Having good access to healthcare means having few barriers that might prevent someone from getting the care they need.

Stigma Surrounding Addiction -

Refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes that people hold towards individuals who are struggling with addiction. This stigma can lead to discrimination, shame, and isolation for those affected, making it harder for them to seek help or access support. Addressing stigma is crucial for promoting compassion, understanding, and effective treatment for individuals dealing with addiction.

Availability of Treatment Resources -

Refers to the presence and accessibility of services and support systems designed to help individuals address various health conditions or issues. This includes facilities, programs, therapies, medications, and professionals specializing in addiction recovery. The availability of treatment resources varies by location and can impact the effectiveness of addressing addiction by influencing factors like accessibility, affordability, and the range of services offered.

How Big Is The Overall Need?

According to a new JAMA study substance use and alcohol-related disorders have significant impacts and costs to employers each year, including:

$35.3 Billion

Substance use disorders (SUD) cost employer-sponsored health plans about $35.3 billion per year.

$15,640

The annual attributable mean cost of substance use disorders per participant.

$10.2 Billion

Alcohol related-disorders cost employer-sponsored plans $10.2 billion.

$7.3 Billion

Opioid-related disorders cost employer-sponsored plans $7.3 billion.

According to data from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, “Approximately 70 percent of all adults with an alcohol or illicit drug use disorder are employed.” This underscores the need for novel interventions and solutions like those being implemented in the North Carolina pilot project.

The State Of Mental Health In North Carolina

Mental Health Statistics among North Carolinians
  •  1,469,000 adults in NC have a mental health condition
  • NC ranks 39 in the NATION for access to treatment, according to Mental Health America.
  • Of the 452,000 adults in NC who did not receive needed mental health care, 44.8% didn’t because of cost.
  •  North Carolinians are over 7x more likely to be forced out-of-network for mental health care than for primary health care.
Mental Health in North Carolina. (n.d.). https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/StateFactSheets/NorthCarolinaStateFactSheet.pdf 

North Carolina steps up with Truusight

The State of North Carolina has launched a new project to remove barriers and streamline access to health and social services for its residents. Teaming up with Truusight, a leading management consulting and strategy services organization, the project incorporates community engagement with best-in-class technology to meet employer and community needs.  

Through Truusight’s community outreach and TruuCONNECT platform, the pilot project is designed to achieve several key objectives:

  • Enhance the visibility of available services and community partners.
  • Streamline referral processes to facilitate easier access to services.
  • Optimize the use of existing resources.
  • Foster improvements in community health through the workplace.

At the end of this project, an independent third party will conduct an impact evaluation to assess the outcomes. Anecdotally, we have heard from employers that using TruuCONNECT has helped boost employee productivity, morale, and retention. It has also equipped employers and partners with data analytics to improve work performance and promote workplace and community health as well as contain organizational costs. 

Truusight specializes in:

Providing comprehensive solutions for workplaces with a focus on mental health and substance use

Offering expert guidance on policies, training, and support services to enhance employee wellbeing and productivity

Partnering with employers to develop and implement effective strategies for a healthier, more supportive work environment

The Truusight Difference

Wraparound Support and Services

Truusight integrates technology and data analytics to provide personalized insights and recommendations for employers and unions. Our approach focuses on identifying trends and risk factors within large populations to: 

  • Support targeted interventions to reduce the impact of chronic diseases—including mental health and substance use. 
  • Administrative and analytical support – assisting in strategic planning rather than providing direct clinical support.

Differences from EAP and HR Services

Unlike traditional Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and Human Resources (HR) services, Truusight specializes in leveraging data to identify and mitigate risks related to substance use and mental health. While EAPs and HR services may offer direct counseling and support, our platform:

  • Serves as a complementary tool.
  • Offers insights and analytics to optimize and inform the deployment of services rather than replacing them.
  • Provides another access point that employees can engage 24/7 for themselves and their families.

TruuCONNECT ™

Connecting Employees to What They Need, When They Need It.

TruuCONNECT enables employees to connect to medical and social service programs, including substance use and mental health services, anonymously and without worry of stigma – 24/7 in 100+ languages. It is fully HIPAA compliant and HITRUST certified.

Employees can:

  • Browse by category
  • Search by zip code
  • Connect to programs • Share program information
  • Create self-referrals or refer on behalf of someone else