There are many expectations characterized by an employee in a workplace including focus, alertness, timeliness, and attention to detail. An impairment to these qualities by an employee may cause mistakes to happen and can generally interfere with the accuracy, efficiency and quality of work done by that specific employee, which can then begin to affect the overall workplace and how it operates. Although missing deadlines and lack of focus can be problematic at a place of work, it is important for employers and managers to have empathy and patience, and truly look into the problem at hand instead of making quick, uninformed decisions regarding their employee’s fate at the company. Addiction is a disease, not a choice, and although it may not be safe for those under the influence to be making impaired decisions at work, it also does not call for an immediate firing. 

According to the National Safety Council, nationally almost 9% of working adults have substance use disorder. Higher rates of substance use disorders are found in industries with younger, male-dominated workforces, such as construction and mining, and other industries with higher than average rates include entertainment and food service businesses where employees have easy access to alcohol. Professions that include long hours and those that involve shift work are also commonly associated with substance use disorder as well. Although prevalent and more common in specific industries/work environments, substance abuse in the workplace can be found in workers from any and all industries.

Supervisors who find that their employee may be suffering from substance use disorder should not be quick to make firing decisions. Employers should take proper precautions and do their due diligence in seeking resolutions that do not involve quick, ill-informed judgements about their employee. This can be a dangerous way to approach someone who is suffering from substance use disorder, and although abusing drugs or alcohol at work can be a danger to those around them, it does not mean that they cannot come back to work clear-headed with time off and rehabilitation. It is important for employers to take this into consideration when evaluating the job status of their employee who is in clear need of help. 

Substances commonly abused among professionals include alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drugs. At least 11% of people fatally injured in the workplace were drinking on the job. Drug addiction in the workplace is unfortunately overwhelmingly common, therefore it is important to address these issues correctly when it starts to affect your place of work. The workplace is meant to feel like a safe space, and when it is infiltrated by someone suffering from substance abuse problems, it can affect more than just that one employee. California Recovery Center urges employers to help their workers seek care at rehabilitation facilities and treatment centers where they can safely get the help that they need.

California Recovery Center can be an extremely helpful solution for those suffering from drug addiction in the workplace. California Recovery Center is a licensed alcohol and drug treatment provider located in Roseville, California. Our addiction treatment center in Northern California believes in the philosophy that all of our residents are unique individuals who have the ability to lead successful, fulfilling lives. 

Our treatment center offers several different methods including educational groups, process groups, SUD assessments, biopsychosocial-spiritual assessments, treatment planning, relapse prevention planning, discharge planning, and case management. The therapies that we offer include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, Relapse Prevention, Life Skills Training, Anger Management, Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation and Art Therapy. The therapies we offer are in place to help employees suffering from substance abuse problems by getting to the root of the problem, working one on one to understand the problem, detoxing from the substance and coming out of our facilities feeling rejuvenated and ready to get back into the workforce with a clean plate. 

We believe that each person has their own background that brought them here, and through our treatment we want to build and create new support systems that will stay with you throughout your stay and beyond. Aftercare allows you to work full time jobs while also continuing to receive the support and therapies you need to continue on a positive, drug-free path. Your long-term sobriety is our main priority, and we aim to help people get back to their lives and back in the workforce feeling like the best versions of themselves.