Substance abuse is a serious problem that affects millions of Americans. Addressing concerns about an individual’s substance problems can be difficult in any context. Addressing these concerns in a work environment has its own set of challenges, especially if you’re considering an intervention.

Staging an intervention for an individual dealing with addiction is often the first step toward recovery. But when is it appropriate to take action to address workplace concerns?

Intervention Definition

First, it might help to clarify what exactly the word “intervention” means in this context. For many people, this word has a very particular meaning when it comes to substance abuse. We picture a group of people engaging in a moderated discussion with the individual about their substance abuse issues. This image is applicable but not a complete “intervention” definition.

“Intervention” can also be defined as any action taken to alter a situation positively. In the workplace, intervention could involve initiating a process to review an employee’s performance and behavior as per the company’s employment policy.

When Are Interventions Necessary?

Signs of Substance Abuse at Work 

Before initiating workplace interventions, it’s very important to determine whether or not such actions are necessary. Many people deal with their addictions differently, and some may be better at hiding the symptoms than others. 

However, several work-related indicators can be used to assess whether or not an employee is struggling with substance abuse. Some of the most common signs of addiction in the workplace include:

• Absenteeism, or poor attendance without a clear reason
• Sudden, unexplained change in job performance
• Changes in behavior or personality. Becoming less social or disinterested in work.
• Disheveled appearance
• Altered speech

It’s important to note that these are not the only potential signs of addiction. It is also not always the case that an individual will exhibit each of these signs when dealing with addiction. 

When dealing with a heavy subject like substance abuse, it’s important to be thorough, certain, and compassionate when taking action.

Refer to Company Policy

While helping a struggling employee or coworker is important, so too is following proper procedures. Most companies will have an employment policy that details steps for addressing substance abuse in the workplace. These policies are in place to protect both the company and its employees when dealing with difficult personal situations.

Most policies regarding substance abuse require documentation and close observation of any incidents potentially involving substance abuse. If you believe an employee is struggling with addiction, you should talk to the employee directly, as well as a human resources representative. This helps provide clarity and protection for all involved. 

When safety is a direct concern, the individual should immediately be removed from any safety-sensitive positions. When applicable, that individual may also be required to take a one-off drug test or regular drug tests.

Compassionate & Educational Approach

As with all interventions, recovery should be a top priority in workplace interventions. Recent trends in addiction counseling have placed a much heavier emphasis on compassion and education to achieve this goal. Helping a struggling employee to understand how and why their substance abuse is hurting their job performance is key. 

Many companies also now provide access to substance abuse counseling as part of their employee healthcare plans.

Workplace Interventions Are Serious, But Necessary

Even if a single employee is struggling with addiction in your workplace, it can be a serious problem. Workplace interventions can help solve this problem if the right steps are followed. Regarding treatment, reliable drug tests are another crucial step in the process. Everybody involved wants accurate and timely results.

Soteria Screening Labs provides various drug tests for many commonly used substances. Order a test today if you need help addressing substance abuse in your workplace.