Precision21

Employers should know about Drug Education and Intervention in Workplace Situations

As an employer, there will be many choices to make about your employees. One of the most difficult is what to do about highly valued employees who have contributed greatly to the business in the past due to their knowledge and experience but are now seriously ill and underperforming due to drug use, alcoholism, gambling, mental health behaviors or other addictions. These issues in the workplace negatively affect productivity, performance, morale and ultimately the bottom line. Studies about drug education and intervention in workplace scenarios show one in ten employees has a drinking problem; a third of those also use illegal drugs. It may be their problem to start, but in the end it will affect your business.

A Drug Intervention in the Workplace

Instead of terminating valuable employees, early intervention of an addiction- or mental health-related crisis can have a profound and positive impact on an organization. A drug intervention is the first step on the road to recovery. It saves businesses time and money as opposed to hiring and training replacements. For the employees, knowing they are treated as valuable members of a team increases productivity, improves morale and ultimately saves lives.

Getting Help from a Drug Interventionist

There are several national and local companies that specialize in managing and resolving workplace crises from addiction. Trained drug interventionists, counselors and consultants have extensive training and years of industry experience in getting workplace addiction crisis’ under control. The drug interventionist and the leader of business will create their boundaries and agree on the options they will give the individual, then together, they will immediately address the individual. Typically the direct supervisor will schedule the meeting. This process usually begins with participants explaining their concerns and how the addict’s behaviors are affecting their job performance, how that brings risk to the company and how it damages the morale of the other employees. Once the group has shared, the interventionist will lay out the agreed upon options for the individual and facilitate an entrance into an appropriate treatment center.