What has been missing in the world of industrial alcoholism programming is someone to bridge the gap between the demands of treatment centers and the needs of industrial alcoholism programs. This gap has now been filled by the creation of a new professional role: the Industrial Liaison. The overall responsibility of the industrial liaisons is to strengthen the relationship between the treatment center and those industrial alcoholism programs (Employee Assistance Programs and Mental Wellness Programs). It is estimated that there are over 2,000 such occupational programs worldwide.