5 Ways to Help Addicted Employees Get into a Drug Rehab Program
A new study conducted by the University at Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addiction found that supervisor contact alone is not sufficient to stop employees from drinking or drugging while on the job. However, researchers found that if employees believed that supervisors would take corrective action if substance abuse was detected, drug and alcohol use at work decreased. Researchers also found that such an increased level of supervisor involvement had no direct relationship to changes in drug and alcohol use outside of the workplace. The study also found a correlation between consequences, reduced alcohol or drug use at work and a reduction in general employee stress. This change led to improved morale of those who did not engage in substance abuse. (Source: Supervisor Training Needed to Curb Employee Substance Use, retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/243461.php) Currently, approximately 22 million Americans are drug users and 12 million more are alcoholics. A 2000 government study estimated that 7 million Americans were binge drinkers. Addiction afflicts anyone. An addict can be of almost any age. Addiction does not discriminate between the non-college educated and those holding advanced degrees. Chances are that one of your employees is in need of substance abuse treatment.
Signs of Substance Abuse in Employees
Employee substance abuse generally can be linked to change in behaviors. On the job changes are easily tracked. These changes include:
- Increased absences and tardiness
- Missed deadlines
- Change in attitude
- Defensiveness
- Absences from desk during the day
- Difficulties with coworkers
- Always sick or fatigued
- Unkempt appearance
- Tremors
- Increase in work errors
Addiction affects the bottom line of the company if employees are not doing their work, missing work, or creating stress in the work environment. In general terms, it is worth the time and expense to help support a good employee who has succumbed to substance abuse by sending him or her to a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program.
How to Help Employees Get into Drug Rehabilitation
5 steps to improve the work environment:
- Promote healthy living seminars for employees
- Have clearly designated signs about substance use on the job and the consequences of use
- Provide Employee Assistance Programs
- Make printed materials about the Family and Medical Leave Act accessible
- Conduct interventions when needed
Everyone has the right to work in a safe, comfortable environment. Helping employees get substance abuse treatment fosters a sense of company loyalty while making the work environment healthy and safe. Getting an employee into substance abuse treatment can also reduce the risk of workplace accidents, injuries and other health-related problems, which can also reduce the cost of medical insurance. Remember that substance abuse is considered a mental and physical disease. It is a progressive disease and can generally not be stopped without intervention. Employees can utilize the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to seek addiction treatment, which ensures that substance abuse is not discriminated against. Under the FMLA, an employee may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain medical conditions. Regardless of what you think or feel about people who use drugs and drink alcohol, their right to addiction treatment is protected under the law. You also protect more than just one of your employees when you help a suffering addict. You may, for example, change the lives of his or her family members. You also protect your business, your product, your customers and the quality associated with your name. There is no downside to helping a suffering addict get addiction treatment. It is a smart business decision and a compassionate human response.
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Our Addiction Helpline is available to anyone struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The specialists on the other end are caring, empathetic folks that have been in your shoes and want to see you get better. Let someone help you today. Call us at 866-957-4960Â or Live Chat from the privacy of your computer.
