Addiction – a real issue in the workplace

According to studies, 1 in 10 people are affected by addiction. The majority of people who have a drinking problem are in work, which can affect colleagues and workplace productivity. Recent research shows that 12% of adults have drunk alcohol during the working day to cope with workplace stress while 17% of personnel directors described alcohol consumption as a major problem for the organisation. Drug and alcohol rehab experts Port of Call discuss the issues of substance abuse in the workplace.

How alcohol and drugs impact the workplace

• Loss of productivity and performance
• Lateness and absenteeism
• Safety concerns
• Effect on team morale and employee relations
• Bad behaviour or poor discipline
• Adverse effects on company image and customer relations

As well as direct consequences, a person who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot perform their job is less obvious ways. Alcohol, for instance, is a depressive drug that affects physical performance, speed of responses, concentration and judgement. A person who is abusing alcohol in the workplace loses the ability to communicate effectively and assertively with other people. This often leads to isolation or aggressive behaviour. The ripple effect of addiction means that the performance of colleagues is also affected.

Tackling addiction is daunting for employees and employers alike

• Employees are often reluctant to approach their employer about an addiction
• Denial extends to not only people with a drinking / drug problem but also the people who surround them
• Confronting a colleague with an addiction requires specialist help.
• Treating addiction requires specialist medical and psychological help
• The taboo and stigma around addiction means organisations are often reluctant to confront issues as they arise
• Intervention tends to happen at the point where there is a disciplinary matter and addiction isn’t necessarily viewed as a health issue.

Our services

• Help sensitively manage substance abuse in the workplace.
• Employee addiction assessment for at risk individuals
• Independent advice and referrals to specialist addiction treatment services
• Workplace interventions (when a colleague is in denial about their addiction)
• Staff training on workplace sensitivity and reducing enablement behaviour
• Policy support
• Employee burnout (residential retreat)

Confidential Care – a service, specifically for the workplace

We understand that, actually;

• No one wants to talk about substance abuse in the workplace
• No one wants their boss to know they have a problem
• No one wants their organisation to be seen to have addiction issues

That’s why we have designed a treatment modality that ensures:

You, the employer can:

• Proactively promote wellness
• Provide an environment that allows employees to reach out for help
• Act to prevent problems before they become too serious to ignore
• Recognise addiction as a health issue rather than a disciplinary procedure

Your employees:

• Can receive professional addiction treatment without having to take time out of work
• Can receive treatment without anyone else at work knowing

Port of Call are available to help overcome addiction. If you are worried about substance abuse in the workplace, contact us today on 08000029010. No matter where you are in the UK, we can help – from accessing addiction help in Manchester, all the way down to London. 

About the author: Alex Molyneux

Alex is our admissions team leader. Over the last 5 years he has spoken with more than 10,000 people via our helpline and has organised over 1,000 detox and rehabilitation placements.