Drug Abuse ![drug abuse]()
How can you tell if an employee suffers from drug abuse? The following are some of the behavioral characteristics and warning signs that may occur with drug addiction. Note that these behavioral characteristics do not always indicate drug addiction, but may warrant further investigation.
- Absenteeism; absences without notification and an excessive use of sick days
- Frequent disappearances from the work site; long, unexplained absences; improbable excuses
- Unreliability in keeping appointments and meeting deadlines
- Work performance that alternates between periods of high and low productivity
- Mistakes made due to inattention, poor judgment, and bad decisions
- Confusion, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating or recalling details and instructions
- Ordinary tasks require greater effort and consume more time
- Interpersonal relations with coworkers suffer
- Rarely admits errors or accepts blame for errors or oversights
- Progressive deterioration in personal appearance and hygiene
- Wearing long sleeves when inappropriate
- Personality change; mood swings, anxiety, depression, lack of impulse control, suicidal thoughts or gestures
- Increasing personal and professional isolation
(U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d.)
Here is a great resource to help determine employer obligations and possible accommodation. Also take a look at www.drugabuse.gov.
©2014 Reprinted with permission from HRThatWorks.com, a powerful program designed to inspire great HR practices.
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