Addiction in the Workplace — Managing the Risks for All Employees

Statistics show the pandemic has been a significant contributor to the rise of reported incidents at work.

Statistics show the pandemic has been a significant contributor to the rise of reported incidents at work. IOSH magazine’s recent survey lists 54% more positive workplace drug tests since 2019, and 25% of employees reporting drugs and alcohol have had an impact on their work. It is worth remembering that self-harm is not illegal, while alcohol and substance misuse may be, depending on the circumstances. However, all three must be treated as wellbeing issues, with individuals given the same level of protection and confidentiality as any other medical or psychological condition.

We shouldn’t lay the blame with the pandemic for employee wellbeing issues and ignore workplace factors that have the potential to lead to addictive behaviour as a coping mechanism.  Do any of these conditions sound familiar for your workforce?

• Long working hours?
• Monotonous work?
• Shift work?
• Working remotely?
• High pressure environment?
• Business entertaining?
• Job insecurity and redundancy threats?

It’s easy to recognise a number of these in our workforce, which pose a risk, both for individual employees and your organisation. Risks can include lost productivity, reputation, injury, even death, but unfortunately, the hidden nature of addiction often makes the warning signs difficult to spot as they could be caused by many issues.
It’s worth investing in a caring culture to encourage disclosure and setting expert support in place, as early as possible.

These three simple steps could start the addiction conversation for your workplace:

1. Implement a clear drugs and alcohol policy, communicated to all staff.
2. Provide awareness sessions on the dangers and impact of addiction for your workforce.
3. Signposting — know who the experts are for support and guidance, for example:
   • Drink line — national free alcohol helpline: 0300 123 1110. A free, confidential helpline for people who are concerned about their drinking, or someone else’s.
   • FRANK (Talk to Frank) — offers confidential support and advice on drugs.
   • LifeSIGNS — user-led self-harm charity for advice and support.

Useful Links

Alcohol and drugs misuse
https://www.cipd.co.uk/Images/line-manager-guide-drug-and-alcohol-misuse_tcm18-83087.pdf
https://www.hse.gov.uk/alcoholdrugs/resources.htm
https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/knowledge/health-and-safety/alcohol-drugs-and-substance-abuse/#heading-8

Self-harm
https://www.lifesigns.org.uk/fact-sheets
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/truth-about-self-harm