How to Help a Co-worker with Addiction
Co-workers and managers with substance use disorders, including alcohol addiction, do not only cause problems for themselves, but for others around them, including co-workers. The effects of substance abuse, even when not done during work hours, can be widespread across a business and its employees. Knowing the signs of alcoholism and addiction among co-workers is the first step in how to help a co-worker with addiction. While many addicts remain in denial about their substance abuse, sometimes it takes someone in their lives to point out how addiction is affecting their lives and that they care enough for the person, that it pushes the addict to get help.
Click here for job protection & behavioral health, call Union First today at (855) 215-2023.
5 Signs of Co-Worker’s Addiction
The beginning stages of addiction can have more subtle signs which may be difficult to spot at first, however, as the disease progresses, these signs will become more apparent. This is why most addicts continue to hold a job. While their addiction remains mild, it may not affect their work too severely at first. Knowing the signs and symptoms is the first step in knowing how to help a co-worker with addiction.
Signs to look for include:
- Increased absences or tardiness. Recovering from substance abuse can lead to workers frequently calling out or being late to work.
- Decline in Physical Appearance. Addicts will neglect their appearance and hygiene, such as not brushing their hair or teeth, or washing their clothes. You may also notice severe weight loss or gain, dark circles under their eyes, and sores on their skin.
- Decrease in Quality of Work or Productivity. Substance abuse can lead to people feeling severely ill and not being able to perform their best, which will reflect in their work.
- Personality or Behavioral Changes. They can have frequent mood swings or begin lying. You may notice they’re more withdrawn or depressed. They may also disappear frequently.
- Financial Issues. The addict may ask to borrow money or frequently talk about financial problems as their addiction becomes more expensive.
Why Co-Worker Addiction Can Affect Other Employees
Addiction affects much more than the person struggling with substance abuse, it affects everyone around them including loved ones and even co-workers. An individual does not need to be actively using drugs and alcohol in the workplace for it to affect their co-workers. If you have ever shown up to work hungover, you are aware of how much your performance suffered that day or you may have even called out. Employees with addiction are less productive, use more sick days and are more likely to injure themselves.
Not only do the effects of substance abuse have a far-reaching impact on the profitability of the business, it can greatly affect other co-workers. In jobs that require being alert, accurate, and quick reflexes, it can lead to accidents injuring themselves and others. Addicted employees also tend to miss many days of work due to either recovering from the effects of substance abuse or because of illnesses related to addiction. Even short-term substance abuse can cause several sick days because of a lowered immune system which can lead to several colds and flus.
Co-workers of addicted employees may find themselves working longer hours and taking on additional tasks or responsibilities to make up for lost productivity. They’re also at higher risk of injury or being killed on the job due to negligent behavior from the addict. Mood changes in addicts, including outbursts and irritability, can lead to more problems with co-workers and overall lower morale.
Click here for job protection & behavioral health, call Union First today at (855) 215-2023.
Ways to Address Addiction Among Co-Workers
Once an individual begins to exhibit some of these signs, their co-workers may feel certain there is a substance abuse problem; however, they’ll often be reluctant to intervene. They may fear that the person will lose their job and may cover up for the impaired person, which is a process called enabling. At first, it may seem like they’re helping and caring for the person, but enabling allows the person to continue their substance abuse without facing negative consequences and prolongs the disorder. Avoid the following behaviors to stop enabling a co-worker:
- Lending them money
- Covering for them
- Allow family members to call in sick for them
- Make excuses for them to other co-workers
- Allow them to come in late or cover for them
- Give out their responsibilities to others in the workplace
What you should do to help a co-worker with addiction is:
- Review your company’s drug and alcohol abuse policies in the workplace which will tell you what steps to take and how to respond to an intoxicated co-worker.
- Document events concerning behavior and when you witness your co-worker appearing intoxicated, including date, time, place, who was involved, what occurred, if it was reported, and what were the outcomes.
- Discuss your concerns with a supervisor in private.
- If your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you should refer your co-worker to those services. EAPs can offer confidential counseling and referrals for addiction and mental health treatment. You can provide your co-worker with information on the program such as their website or phone number.
While it can be challenging to report your co-worker, often an addict needs to face the consequences of their substance abuse to push them to get the help they need. If you work in a healthcare setting, you may have legal or ethical responsibilities to address drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace.
Union First: Helping Union Members Find Behavioral Health Treatment for Substance Abuse
Union First is an employee assistance program for union members, public service employees, and their families needing substance abuse or mental health help. Through our initial assessment, we can help connect workers with addiction treatment programs in their area that fit their needs and take their insurance. Calls are 100% confidential and we are available 24/7 to help anyone struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues. It can be difficult to know what to do in times of crisis and how to get started on the road to recovery. With Union First, union members and their families have a team of experts who have their back and can guide them on the next steps to take. We can answer any questions and ease any apprehensiveness about behavioral health treatment.
Members have access to a private network of telehealth counselors with Union First. We can quickly schedule an appointment with a counselor who takes your insurance and meets your needs within 24 to 48 hours. Instead of waiting weeks, members can quickly get mental health treatment in times of crisis.
Our job protection services will help union members keep their job while they seek drug and alcohol addiction or mental health treatment. Often, employees avoid getting the help they need for substance abuse issues out of fear of losing their job. Our experts can help guide you and advocate for you on how to use federal and state laws that protect your employment, salary, benefits, and more. When employees are knowledgeable on their rights, they are more likely to get addiction treatment early on which increases their chances of successful recovery.
If you, your co-worker or a family member is struggling with substance abuse, we are available to take your call and provide you with the right guidance on how to move forward with addiction treatment. Our representatives are available 24/7, please do not hesitate to reach out for help as soon as possible.