The National Drug Strategy 2010-2015 identified a number of emerging trends concerning drug and alcohol dependency. They include increasing harms from cannabis, high demand for amphetamines, increasing use of cocaine, appearance of a number of new analogue drugs, higher rates of poly-drug use, and pharmaceutical drug abuse. In addition, alcohol use at an earlier age is leading to higher rates of alcoholism and more drug use as people seek new ‘highs’. Why do people want to get high? The reasons are varied but typically include the desire to escape stress, peer pressure, feelings of social isolation, and managing difficult family life or issues.1
One of the first facts of addiction the report points out is that anyone is at-risk. Employers cannot make any assumptions based on characteristics like gender, age, ethnicity, cultural background, or even natural disposition, which is precisely why random drug and alcohol testing programs in the workplace are so vital. However, some people are more likely to become addicted for complex reasons like brain chemistry or mental illness, and a perverse enjoyment of risk taking. The question is: What happens after addiction? Why do some people voluntarily seek treatment, whilst others refuse to admit they have a substance dependency?
There is No Problem
One of the common statements heard once a co-worker’s alcohol or drug addiction comes to light is that fellow workers tried to tell the person to get help before their job was jeopardised. The typical addict response is denial that a problem even exists. Dependent people ignore what everyone else can easily see and thus refuse to consider treatment.
To truly understand why substance dependent people refuse treatment, it is necessary to first recognize the features of dependency. They include a craving or compulsion, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when substance use is stopped, failed attempts at cutting back on substance use, and the need for more and more drugs and alcohol to experience the desired effects. In many cases, people who are dependent on drugs or alcohol are continuing use, rather than getting help, because the drug becomes the most important thing in their lives. It is more important to do drugs than spend time with friends or show up for work.2
The worker who continues to get drunk at office parties or who spends most off-time searching for and using drugs needs help. Some people refuse to admit a problem even after losing their jobs as a result of a positive random drug and alcohol test. Given Australia’s public support for harm minimisation, most workers voluntarily admitting addiction will be given the opportunity to receive treatment and to return to a job. Instead, many people live in a private hell of their own making that eventually turns into a public disaster.
Poor Reasons for Avoiding Treatment
The reasons people refuse treatment are as complex as the reasons dependency develops, and most of the time there are multiple reasons involved. Some addicts simply continue telling themselves that they have everything under control, so do not need treatment. Denial is a common trait of substance dependent persons. Their thought processes run along the lines of, “I don’t have a problem and can manage my own life and job. Everyone needs to leave me alone because they are wrong about me. When I want to stop, I can do so. But I don’t want to stop because drugs help me manage the stress in my life.”
Of course, there are substance dependent people who refuse to get treatment because of fear they will lose their job or make it impossible to get a job in the future. Personal finances can play a role, if the cost of treatment seems prohibitive. In addition, a fear of stigmatisation keeps people away from treatment. Treatment programs cost money or an employee may have to take time off from work without pay in order to attend a program. Some workers simply tell themselves that the whole situation is hopeless and treatment will not help. They have forgotten what life was like before addiction.
Employers are Critical Players to End Addiction
As the Australian federal and state agencies continually point out, employers are critical players in the fight to end drug and alcohol addiction. Random drug and alcohol tests help identify workers who present safety hazards. However, in many cases, workers discover that employers are willing help, if the worker will enter treatment. It is likely that those workers who do agree to treatment can be rehabilitated and continue to be productive employees. Discovery of addiction can actually become a catalyst for seeking treatment. It is much more difficult to deny a positive drug or alcohol test in the workplace than accusations from friends or co-workers.
Understanding that dependence is a physical and psychological state, employers that develop comprehensive drug and alcohol policies should also offer information that sets a clear path to treatment. For example, they may have a treatment program referral system in place, agree to hold a position open for workers who complete a treatment program, or offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
Drugs and alcohol are the bane of modern society. It is incumbent on Australian employers to use only the highest quality drug and alcohol screening services to first detect substance abusers, and then offer a plan of action for rehabilitation. Mediscreen at mediscreen.net.au/index.php?mod=services offers state-of-the-art drug screening services to a variety of businesses working to maintain drug free workplaces.
This article has been taken from http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/?p=2061
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