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An alcohol & drug rehab clinic

Impact of Alcohol & Drugs on Companies

Alcohol and drug addiction among workers and professionals can have a variety of impacts on businesses:

• Relationships and Behaviours
  Inappropriate behaviour can be disruptive and lead to tension and frustrations at work. Client relationships are also affected. Alcohol & drug addiction has a negative impact on family life which also affects work performance.
• Morale
  Addiction problems are often ignored which damages staff morale.
• Absenteeism
  Sick days due to alcohol hangovers cause disruption in the workplace and lose the company money.
• Productivity (work performance)
  Alcohol reduces the ability to concentrate and this affects work performance including decision-making. It also causes impaired skills, lower quality of work and lack of motivation and judgement. Cocaine abuse might increase alertness initially, but has long-term effects on concentration and memory.
• Health
  Alcohol & drug abuse cause a variety of health problems: liver damage, cognitive impairment, stomach disorders, high blood pressure, sexual problems and many more. Alcohol is a depressant and can affect moods and cause irritability often leading to sickness absence.
• Safety
  Just small amount of alcohol or any drugs can cause a lack of co-ordination, slower reaction times, impaired eyesight and judgement, thus increasing the risk of an accident occurring.

Adapted from 'Taking care of alcohol issues at work' by: Dr. Michael G. McCann MD MA DIH MFOM, Board of Directors, Castle Craig Hospital.

Policy on Drugs Misuse

The Health & Safety Executive have published two reports:

• Drug Misuse at Work - A Guide for Employers 
• A Guide for Employers on Alcohol

These documents address the benefits to employers and businesses by successfully tackling alcohol & drugs misuse in the workplace. The HSE point out:"You have a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of your employees."

The HSE encourage employers to create a 'policy on drug misuse' as part of their organisation's overall Health & Safety policy.

According to the World Health Organisation global action plan, every employee should have access to a health consultation service at work.