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Substance Abuse in the WorkplaceEmployee Awareness

Agenda

Proprietary and Confidential. Do not distribute. 2

Introduction

Drug Quiz

Definitions

Impact

Myths and Facts

Commonly Abused Substances

Facts About Alcohol Abuse

Know the Signs

Resources and Referrals

Closing

Department of Transportation (DOT)


• Determine the extent of substance abuse in the workplace

• Examine the drugs of abuse, including alcohol

• Recognize signs and symptoms that may impact a safe and productive work environment

• Identify resources for assistance and how to use them

Learning Points


§ Six to eight percent of workers use drugs or alcohol on the job.

§ Workers who abuse drugs and alcohol greatly compromise their performance.

Compared with the average employee rates, a typical drug or alcohol abuser is:

§ Two times more likely to request early dismissal or time off.

§ Two times more likely to repeatedly be absent.§ Three times more likely to be late for work..§ Three times more likely to injure themselves or

another person in a workplace accident.

Introduction


§ Jack is 26 and uses Vicoden everyday on the job. He finely chops and snorts up to 12 Vicoden during the work day.

§ Jack has requested four days off in one pay period for “family matters.” He told his boss his grandmother was dying; she had died over a year ago.

§ Jack averages one to two days off per pay period claiming a variety of excuses and illnesses.

§ Jack is now on his last warning for tardiness. He is up to an hour late on a regular basis.

§ Jack dropped a large item on his foot and had to go to an urgent care center.

Example

Definitions


Drug Drug use Drug abuse

Physical dependence

Psychological dependence

Addiction Tolerance

Drug: Any chemical that modifies the function of living tissues, resulting in physical or behavioral change.

Drug Use: When the effects of the drug can be realized with minimal hazard or no negative consequences.

Drug Abuse: When drugs are used under circumstances and at doses that increase the potential for hazard or negative consequences.

Physical Dependence: Dependence of body tissue on the continued presence of a drug. If the drug is discontinued, disturbing or life-threatening symptoms will occur (i.e. “withdrawal”). Three classes of drugs cause physical dependence: stimulants, depressants, opiates.


Definitions

Psychological Dependence: A tendency or craving for the repeated or compulsive use of a chemical because the effects are felt to be pleasurable or satisfying.

Addiction: Addiction consists of the compulsion to use, loss of control over use and continued use despite adverse consequences. It also involves physical, emotional and behavioral consequences. There is a biochemical cause for addiction.

Tolerance: Development of a body or tissue resistance to the effects of a drug so that larger doses are required to produce the original effect.


Definitions

Impact on the Workplace


Financial

Health

First –line Supervisory

Problems

Product-ivity

Quality Control

Safety

Security

Workplace


1. Alcohol isn’t as harmful as illegal drugs. Fact:______________________________________________________

2. “Natural” drugs such as marijuana don’t hurt your body like manufactured drugs. Fact:______________________________________________________

3. You’re not an alcoholic if you only drink beer or wine. Fact:______________________________________________________

4. Cocaine doesn’t produce harmful side effects unless you use it regularly or daily. Fact:______________________________________________________

5. As long as an employee isn’t using during working hours, substance abuse won’t affect his or her work performance. Fact:______________________________________________________

6. Ecstasy (a “designer” drug) doesn’t show up in normal urine tests. Fact:______________________________________________________

7. Prescription drug use is a privacy issue which shouldn’t concern the supervisor. Fact:______________________________________________________

Myths and Facts about Drugs and Alcohol

11

Commonly Abused SubstancesCocaine – CrackPowerful stimulant from coca plant. Causes short attention span, irritability, anxiety, depression, seizure, heart attack, insomnia, poor appetite, hallucinations, dilated pupils

MarijuanaHallucinogen, made from Cannabis plant. Active drug is THC. Causes impaired short-term memory, problems with respiration, heart, reproduction, immune system, impaired motor skills, altered sense of time, red eyes

AmphetamineStimulant, includes Methamphetamine used to increase alertness. Causes similar reactions to those of cocaine and crack users

OpiatesNarcotics, pain relievers, codeine, heroin, morphine, from the poppy seed plant. Causesrestlessness, slowed breathing, mood swings, infections due to needle use, constricted pupils

AlcoholDepressant, one ounce of alcohol is a beer, a shot and a glass of wine. Causes poor coordination, impaired judgment, slurred speech, glassy eyes

PCPStimulant, hallucinogen and depressant. Causes changed perceptions, changed speech, coordination, dulled senses, drowsiness or coma, violent behavior, spacey stare

LSDHallucinogen, mescaline, peyote, mushrooms are also hallucinogens. Causes increase in heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dilated pupils

Inhalants Usually stimulant effect, many chemicals used as inhalants. Causes nausea, coughing, nosebleeds, decreased heart and respiratory rates, impaired judgment, glassy eyes or blank stare

Designer or “Club Drugs”: Ecstasy, Rohypnol, GHB

Prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Abuse: Sedatives, Tranquilizers, Mood elevators, Pain killers, Antihistamines


Alcohol

� 66% of homicides are committed by people who drink prior to the crime

� 2-3% of driving population legally drunk at any one time – rate doubles at night and on weekends

� Rate of separation/divorce is 7 times greater

� Suicide is 15 times more likely among alcoholics


Alcohol Level Effects

0.02 - 0.06 Relaxation and loosening of inhibitions

0.07 - 0.09 Impaired vision, perception, hearing,

concentration, coordination, and judgment

0.10 - 0.125 No longer able to legally operate a vehicle in

any state. Coordination, speech, judgment are

severely impaired

0.13 - 0.20 Blurry vision, inability to stand, depression,

nausea, and vomiting

0.25 - 0.35 May lose consciousness

0.35- 0.40 Coma

0.40 and up Coma and death are common

4 www.orchidrecoverycenter.com

Effects of alcohol on function


Marijuana…it’s natural?


• Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana….

• The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can’t remember what they are!


• Case Study #1

• Your coworker comes back from lunch acting oddly. There’s adistinct smell of alcohol on her breath. She begs you to keep quiet about the fact that she had too much to drink and promises to try to sober up in the restroom.

What do you do?

• Case Study #2

• You walk into the restroom at work and smell marijuana smoke. There is smoke visibly hanging in the air. There’s no one else in the restroom.

What do you do?


Methamphetamines


Designer Drugs

Prescription and OTC Drug Abuse


Sedatives

Tranquilizers

Mood elevators

Pain killers

Antihistamines


Know the Signs

Physical effects of drug and alcohol use may include:§ Slurred speech§ Impaired balance and dexterity§ Lack of coordination§ Lethargy/fatigue§ Impaired vision and depth perception§ Chronic health problems

You may also witness the following behaviors:

§ Aggressiveness§ Depression§ Indecision§ Impaired judgment§ Impaired learning and retention§ Erratic mood swings

In addition to the physical, mental and emotional effects, an employee’s work performance will also be impacted:

§ Gradual decline in quality/quantity of work§ Attendance problems that worsen over time§ Tardiness, long lunches, frequent breaks, early departures§ Accidents on or off the job§ Complaints from coworkers and/or the public§ Emotional changes ― irritability, moodiness, depression, anger, excitability

Resources and Referrals


§ Dealing with troubled employees§ Substance abuse resources

§ Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org)§ Narcotics Anonymous (www.na.org)§ Ala-non (www.al-anon.org)§ SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Services Administration) National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

§ Dial 211 for community resources

Employee Assistance Program number:Optum Health: Access Code #: 61570Contact: (866) 248-4105; 24 hours/day, 7 days/weekWebsite: www.liveandworkwell.com

For questions concerning:

Substance Abuse in the Workplace - HR Landing Pagehr.fhda.edu/_downloads/Substance Abuse...

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