3 Signs of Substance Abuse in the Workplace

Drug and alcohol dependency can significantly affect an employee’s ability to contribute to your company’s success. Addiction can lead to reduced quality, lower productivity, higher health care costs, and increased absenteeism. Depending on the nature of your business, public safety can even be jeopardized.

With all of the issues presented by drug addiction in the workplace, it is highly important for employers and HR professionals to know the signs of substance abuse. While being an expert at detecting substance addiction takes some experience and training, there are certain signs that eventually manifest.

MedWay Onsite Health Solutions, Inc., a trusted provider of on-site drug testing services in Arlington, Texas, offers the following signs that you should watch out for in your potential hires and current employees:

1. Physical Signs
   Physical symptoms of addiction can be fairly evident. Some of the most common symptoms of substance abuse include shaking hands; red, watery eyes; frequent nose rubbing; and a loss of interest in hygiene and personal care.
2. Unexplained Tardiness/Absences
   Typically, individuals with substance abuse issues are unable to fulfill their responsibilities. They are more inclined to show up late for work or they might skip work altogether. HR professionals and employers should also watch out for a series of lost jobs on resumes.
3. Personality Changes
   Individuals with substance abuse issues show distinct changes in personality, often with no identifiable cause. They are likely to become more irritable and moody. They find it difficult to concentrate and pay attention. They may display an “I don’t care” attitude and may lose their motivation to work.

What You Can Do

If you notice in a co-worker or employee any of the above-mentioned signs of substance abuse or if you suspect that they have a drug problem, talk to your boss or consult your company’s drug and alcohol policy.

If you want to make sure that you have a drug-free workplace, you can perform regular drug tests on your employees. You can also make it a pre-employment requirement for potential candidates.

If you are in need of onsite drug testing in Gainesville, Texas, we can help you.