
Drug use can result in serious problems with a person’s social life and work life. When it comes to the workplace, drug use causes difficulties for industries around the world, especially regarding the manner in which employees behave. The costs that these industries suffer include low productivity, absenteeism, low employee morale, increased healthcare, and legal liabilities. This article looks at the various effects that drug use can have on an employee’s work life.
Declining Work Performance
Drug abuse significantly reduces one’s ability to perform. For instance, a person who was previously focused on his job may start losing interest in anything that he does. He may start working on a task and decide to leave it only halfway done. In the event that he manages to finish it, it may turn out to be of low quality. They tend to have no regard for anything, no matter how important it may be in their lives.
Increased Cases of Absenteeism
It is understandable for an employee to be absent once in a while. Being absent in the workplace sometimes doesn’t raise any eyebrows, since everyone gets sick or may be faced with certain unavoidable circumstances. Drug addicts tend to abuse this situation. They make working days appear like holidays, staying home for inordinate lengths of time and rarely showing their face at work. These people tend to be absent for no valid or logical reason. They often provide suspicious explanations for why they’ve been absent, and often can’t hold a job for very long.
Solitary Behavior
Drug users tend to shy away from socializing with their fellow employees. They avoid their co-workers and, in many cases, they will isolate themselves, perhaps sitting away from colleagues during meetings or at lunch. The reason for their solitary behavior usually lies in the belief that their colleagues will notice symptoms of their drug use. Additionally, these people tend to be hostile to their co-workers as a sort of cover-up. Often, drug abusers believe hostility will drive away those who are close to the truth. The damage to the workplace environment is significant in these situations.
Increased Risky Behavior
Drug addicts also tend to be reckless and careless, not only in the outside world but also in their workplace. The employee may not pay attention to the safety procedures required when carrying out difficult or dangerous tasks at work. Maybe they will forgo the proper safety gear, or be lax in their use of machinery. This not only endangers the life of the employee but also endangers the lives of his co-workers, which may result in workplace injuries.
Changes in Physical Appearance
Drug addict exhibits noticeable changes in their physical appearance. They are easily irritable, lose weight, groom themselves poorly, and experience fatigue. These traits make it hard for them to work with their fellow employees. Furthermore, depending on the drug being used, the employee can develop dilated or constricted pupils. Without taking the necessary healthcare measures, these issues may escalate into serious problems that can cost the company time and money.
Drug Testing
The responsibility of creating a conducive environment at the workplace should not only be left to the management. All employees should be keen to notice any suspicious changes in their colleagues. Drug testing can be embraced as a step in monitoring the employees’ well-being at work. If an employee is found to have a drug problem, the issue should be addressed in a caring way. Seeking help at a drug rehab center should be one of the most effective ways of addressing this issue.
This article was contributed on behalf of Bay Area Recovery Center, your number-one choice when looking to get on the right track. Check out their website today and see how they can help you!