Identifying substance abuse
Substance abuse problems develop over a span of years. However, early symptoms of substance abuse can be detected already before excessive use becomes apparent. Even if the employee does not work while intoxicated at the workplace, their behaviour may show signs of impaired work ability.
Substance abuse can manifest itself in many different ways. Supervisors and work communities should be trained to identify substance abuse at the workplace and intervene in it as early as possible.
The following changes in working behaviour are examples of red flags:
- Uneven and deteriorated quality of work
- Increased errors
- Repeatedly coming in late or leaving early and other non-compliance with working hours
- Increased absences and availability issues
- Sick leave certificates from different doctors
- Last-minute shift changes
- Isolation in the work community and difficulties in co-operation
- Inability to take feedback
- Increased number of accidents
- Changes in external appearance and behaviour, such as
- Changes in alertness: visible fatigue or hyperactivity
- Difficulty concentrating
- Unwillingness to learn new things
- Mood changes
- Denying problems
- Other addictions
- Mental changes
- Depression
- Irritability, negativity
- Nervousness, unpredictability
- Conflict-seeking behaviour
- Avoidance
- Changing values
- Changing circle of friends
- Cynicism
A substance abuse problem can also manifest itself in the form of the person coming to work hungover or even intoxicated. This can be detected, for example, from the smell of alcohol, nausea, sweating or shivering.