Substance Use & The Workplace: Part 1
Information for Leaders — Part One of a Series
Workplace culture and substance use
Workplace culture refers to what is considered normal and acceptable behavior at work. This is the undocumented way of doing things, including coworkers’ attitudes, and it may or may not support the policies in place. As a leader of the group or work environment, you play an essential role in setting the collective culture and promoting positive behavior. Alcohol and other drug use continue to rank high on the list of concerns that result in referrals to an employee assistance program (EAP) or employee and family assistance program (EFAP).
While there are no guarantees regarding how to prevent these problems from affecting employees, there are some steps that you as a manager can take to prevent alcohol and other drug-related problems in the workplace:
• Set a good example and be a role model by recognizing that your actions send a strong message to other employees about what is and is not acceptable behavior.
• Know your organization’s guidelines and policies on alcohol and drug use, and communicate your organization’s expectations clearly.
• Make sure that the employees on your team know about the guidelines and policies regarding substance use, as well as the support programs your organization provides, such as an EAP/EFAP, treatment programs, short-term disability, or modified work.
• Take a look at the role alcohol use plays in your team’s social activities and consider how this contributes to the culture of your team at work.
• Learn how to talk to your employees if they come to you.
Understanding mood-altering drugs and their effects
Certain drugs are referred to as mood-altering because they change how a person thinks, feels, or acts. Some drugs make a person feel more relaxed (depressants, such as Valium or alcohol), while others make a person feel more energetic or excited (stimulants, such as amphetamines or cocaine), and some drugs change how a person perceives the world (hallucinogens, such as Mushrooms or LSD).
These drugs change the way a person thinks and feels, consequently also changing the way they perform and act. People taking mood or mind-altering prescriptions are at much greater risk for accidents at work. They can have severe abuse and addictive properties, resulting in more significant complications. There are scores of medications on the street and thousands by prescription. No two people react the same way to prescribed medications, and a worker under the influence of any one of these drugs presents a danger to operations.
What you can do
You play an essential front-line role in ensuring that team members report to work and suit up to perform their duties effectively and safely. It is up to you to initiate or oversee the process. As a leader, you need to put your strong leadership skills to use for the benefit of your team. Break the cycle by setting a good example and constructively intervening when necessary. Ultimately, an employee is the driver of his or her situation. You and your employees are colleagues in the quest for a high-quality work environment. These tools will help you fulfill your role as a workplace role model, and you will lead your team more effectively.
Workplace programs and services
Individual programs and services contribute to an understanding and the effective administration of policies and support services offered to employees. Examples of these programs and services include
• education
• supervisory training
• workplace health and wellness programs
• EAP/EFAP
• informal and formal peer support (this ensures confidentiality)
• Inpatient addiction treatment
If you have a coworker, fellow employee, or a family member that needs assistance with drinking or substance use, your company’s employee handbook is a great place to start. You can also ask your HR department for the phone number for your Employee Assistance Program. Calls to EAP/EFAP are confidential, and your benefits program may cover access to the services they provide.
For more information
Together We Can Alcohol & Drug Recovery & Education Society offers information, education, and treatment services in the lower mainland, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Services include spousal and family support, workplace education, detoxification, outpatient counseling, opioid dependency programs, and residential treatment. Together We Can has counselors and therapists with specific training in addiction issues. This allows us to meet the needs of your employees and supervisors better and respond readily to referrals from the business community.
For more information, please call 1–888–940–9854. For more workplace-specific resources, please visit: http://twcrecoverylife.org/workplace
