The workplace can be a breeding ground for substance abuse. Workers may use drugs or alcohol to cope with stress or boredom, to make it through the workday, and simply because they like the feeling. But what happens when this behavior starts affecting their job performance? How can employers deal with addiction in the workplace? Read on to find out.
1. Support your team
It takes courage and strength to come forward and admit that you have an addiction issue. It takes even more strength and courage to ask for help from your supervisor or manager, but only around half of those who suffer from addiction actually seek help. Employers need to support their teams and give them that first push towards recovery before it becomes impossible for them to turn back the clock. Be sure they know you’re willing to do whatever it takes as an employer so long as they’re committed to getting better.
2. Have a plan of action
The first few days after an addiction is brought up in the workplace are crucial – having a strategy and plan of action will help you avoid making decisions based on your feelings without thinking through the consequences rationally. Ask yourself what you know about their addiction, who they turned to for support, and how those around them reacted when they learned about it.
The answers to these questions can be used as leverage if they decide not to disclose any more information at all, but it’s also your best start towards creating a rehab program that works with everyone involved and allows space and time for them to recover properly. It might be helpful to consult local institutions or health care professionals too, so that you can find out what programs they recommend. You can view more information about rehab programs on the Ocean Recovery website.
3. Offer an open ear
When your employees confide in you about their addiction, be sure to allow them to express themselves fully without interruption or judgment. Be patient with them and let them know that your only goal is to help provide solutions for whatever difficulties they might be facing at home or work. It’s also important not to try and force any answers on them – if the problem has gone on for a long time, it will most probably continue until they decide to look past the personal barriers holding them back from seeking medical treatment or psychological therapy.
4. Be on the lookout for signs of drug or alcohol abuse
Many employers go through their employees’ yearly health looking for signs of any serious illnesses or disorders. If you suspect that one of your employees might be suffering from an addiction, don’t just sit back and wait for them to come forward – take action now so they can get the help they need. Some physical signs of drug abuse to look out for are bloodshot eyes, shaking hands, or flushed cheeks. You should also take note of any changes in mood or behavior such as lack of appetite or enthusiasm.
5. Make sure you act fast
The loss of productivity is not only bad for business, but it’s also bad for the person who is suffering through their addiction too, because it could prevent them from recovering properly. Be proactive about the issue and try getting to the root cause of their problems; this will require some compassion and patience, but it’s needed to get your employee on their feet again.
This guide should act as a basic foundation of knowledge for employers who want to support their employees through the process of recovery without any additional trouble or complication that can make things even harder for them. Even though everyone has different processes when it comes to dealing with addiction, it won’t hurt you or your business to be more understanding and accommodating of these problems.
Negative Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious problem in the workplace, but an even larger problem for employees’ families. If you know someone who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you might feel helpless and unsure of how to handle it. Your first instinct may be to fire that person, and while there’s no easy way to deal with this problem, it’s better to help them get the treatment they need than to fire them.
For employers, especially those who operate in an international environment, drug and alcohol abuse is a growing concern. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), “More than twenty million Americans aged twelve and older – about one in every seventeen people – need drug or alcohol treatment. Only about two million abuse substances receive any help.”
Addiction can be devastating to everyone involved, so it’s important for employers to know how to deal with the issue when confronted with it. While many people use drugs and alcohol responsibly, others become addicted and turn to use regularly, to the point where they are unable to control their use.
