Advice for Co-Workers Detecting Workplace Substance Abuse

A Flinders University short document on drugs and alcohol is posted online for use as a business training resource. For those unfamiliar with the good work of this institution, Flinders University is where the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction is housed. This internationally recognised prestigious Centre does a lot of research in areas of societal use of alcohol and drugs, substance abuse in the workplace, and workforce development. The short document briefly defines legal and illicit drugs and lists typical work related problems occurring as a result of employee substance abuse. One of those problems is “conflict with workmates.”¹

One of the most interesting and eye-opening statements on the 2-page training document says, “Research shows that contrary to popular opinion, the vast majority of alcoholics are not derelicts living on the streets. They are people holding down jobs, often responsible or senior jobs, in our workforce.” A random drug and alcohol testing program will detect substance use. However, the truth be known, co-workers usually figure it out first because they are in the best position to detect physical and emotional changes in fellow workers.

What’s Wrong With You Today?

For example, someone abusing alcohol experiences mood changes, has poor judgement, makes poor decisions, and has impaired reactions, amongst other symptoms. An employee can hide some drug and alcohol abuse symptoms for a long period of time, and it is only those working with them on a daily basis that notice the person has begun having trouble concentrating, difficulty staying awake (the person is always seems to magically be awake when the supervisor comes by), has frequent conflicts with people the person once worked well with, and so on. Eventually, the manager or supervisor will see a pattern of declining work performance. This reinforces, once again, the importance of random drug and alcohol testing because it will reveal sooner rather than later that a worker is abusing substances.

A frequent question is: How should co-workers handle situations in which they suspect or witness drug and alcohol use? Situations such as these must be handled delicately because employees should never confront co-workers. If the effects of the drugs or alcohol are noticeable, there is no way to predict how a person would react if confronted. In addition, people under severe stress can act differently than they would normally. Their aberrant behaviour may be the result of extreme stress or personal problems. Accusing someone of using drugs or alcohol will only make the situation worse.

One of the important objectives of employee training is teaching people how to respond to certain situations, whether it is an irate customer or a co-worker with a terrible hangover and having trouble managing job responsibilities. Co-workers need to have a clear path for reporting troublesome situations. In the case of problematic substance use by fellow workers, the path should lead to Human Resources, whoever works with the business to provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), or the immediate supervisor. Trained professionals know how to legally approach workers suspected of using drugs and alcohol.

Showing Concern the Right Way

Of course, it is human nature to avoid “turning in” someone to a manager. Despite all warnings, employees will try to express concern to co-workers. Training should include explaining that expressing concern and attempting to pry into someone’s private life are two entirely different acts. Workers can be a resource for addicted co-workers by discussing the EAP program or supplying helpful contact information. However, people not trained in dealing with addiction can quickly escalate a troublesome situation, if the co-workers resent any interference or suggestion of wrongdoing.²

Above all, workers should always know that they must report to supervisors any and all safety issues. Usually the supervisor can quickly figure out the root of the problem upon investigation. Conflicts with workmates can be distressing and disruptive and sometimes dangerous. Employers need a robust drug and alcohol policy and an equally robust employee training program. Substance abuse can lead to unpredictable results, so employees need to know they have a way to get help when needed – help as a drug or alcohol user, or help as a co-worker.

Every drug and alcohol program needs to be supported with reliable screening services. Mediscreen (mediscreen.net.au) trained collectors provide 24/7 screenings to businesses dedicated to implementing robust drug & alcohol testing programs. 

This article has been taken from : http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/advice-for-co-workers-detecting-workplace-substance-abuse/

Are You Really You?…Appropriate Methods of Sample Donor

In a bit of whimsy, words from Aretha Franklin’s song “Think” come to mind when discussing appropriate methods for identifying drug and alcohol sample donors. Franklin, always popular when she visits Australia, vigorously proclaims in the chorus, “You better think about what you’re trying to do to me.” At one point in the song, she also belts out, “People walking around every day, playing games, taking scores…” Franklin could be singing about the people who try to cheat on their drug and alcohol tests. They will go to great lengths to pass the tests in order to get a job or prevent the loss of one. The sample collector would probably like to tell each donor to “…stop and think before you think…” and avoid attempting tricks, but in the interest of appropriateness will instead follow careful procedures to ensure saliva or urine samples are true and are marked properly so there are no mix-ups.

People do play a lot of games, and employers must be aware of how they are played. A lot of time is spent discussing the importance of using high quality drug and alcohol testing equipment and following careful collection sample collection. However, equally important steps in the process are the initial donor identification procedures. Instead of asking people to think before cheating, the collector may very well first ask, “Are you really you?” In other words, is the person presenting for the test really who he or she says she is?

All May Not Be as it Seems

These may seem like obvious questions but consider this: How do you know the person showing up for pre-employment testing at a sample collection site is the same person who will be hired? How does a sample collector in a large company know the person showing up at the collection site is the right person? Though it may seem unlikely, there have been attempts in the past to pass a drug test by letting someone else show up for the test. For this reason, employers should never take someone’s word as to their identification. A fake ID is one in which a legal ID has been altered in some manner or is illegally reproduced. It is illegal to make or use a fake ID or to attempt to pass off a legal ID that belongs to someone else.i

Proper identification includes a driver’s licence, proof of age card, a passport, or any state or territory issued photo ID. Employers should be familiar with the Keypass, mostly so they recognise it if it is presented.ii It is issued by a private company to people who do not have other photo identification like a driver’s licence. However, since it is not government regulated or issued, it is entirely up to the testing company as to whether it is accepted as proof of identity. If the person already works for the business and is subjected to random drug & alcohol testing selection, an employee identification card is also acceptable.

What is not an acceptable identification? Personal identification by friends or co-workers should be should not be accepted. This is particularly true for a safety-sensitive employee. Safety must always be a top priority in any business. Non-photo identification should not be accepted, nor should documents that are not original. Accepting copies of identification increases the risk that someone is impersonating another person or is trying to avoid detection for some reason.

It is a sad fact of life that there are people who will go to great lengths to pass drug and alcohol tests. Employers must recognise proper identification and institute policies that identify acceptable documentation. Anyone unable to produce the right type of identification should not be tested. The one thing employers will not have to worry about once samples are collected and sent to Mediscreen (http://mediscreen.net.au/) is proper documentation. The documentation and processes have been thoroughly evaluated by experts as to their appropriateness in the chain of custody.

This article has been taken from http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/are-you-really-you-appropriate-methods-of-sample-donor/

Advice for Co-Workers Detecting Workplace Substance Abuse

A Flinders University short document on drugs and alcohol is posted online for use as a business training resource. For those unfamiliar with the good work of this institution, Flinders University is where the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction is housed. This internationally recognised prestigious Centre does a lot of research in areas of societal use of alcohol and drugs, substance abuse in the workplace, and workforce development. The short document briefly defines legal and illicit drugs and lists typical work related problems occurring as a result of employee substance abuse. One of those problems is “conflict with workmates.”1

One of the most interesting and eye-opening statements on the 2-page training document says, “Research shows that contrary to popular opinion, the vast majority of alcoholics are not derelicts living on the streets. They are people holding down jobs, often responsible or senior jobs, in our workforce.” A random drug and alcohol testing program will detect substance use. However, the truth be known, co-workers usually figure it out first because they are in the best position to detect physical and emotional changes in fellow workers.

What’s Wrong With You Today?

For example, someone abusing alcohol experiences mood changes, has poor judgement, makes poor decisions, and has impaired reactions, amongst other symptoms. An employee can hide some drug and alcohol abuse symptoms for a long period of time, and it is only those working with them on a daily basis that notice the person has begun having trouble concentrating, difficulty staying awake (the person is always seems to magically be awake when the supervisor comes by), has frequent conflicts with people the person once worked well with, and so on. Eventually, the manager or supervisor will see a pattern of declining work performance. This reinforces, once again, the importance of random drug and alcohol testing because it will reveal sooner rather than later that a worker is abusing substances.

A frequent question is: How should co-workers handle situations in which they suspect or witness drug and alcohol use? Situations such as these must be handled delicately because employees should never confront co-workers. If the effects of the drugs or alcohol are noticeable, there is no way to predict how a person would react if confronted. In addition, people under severe stress can act differently than they would normally. Their aberrant behaviour may be the result of extreme stress or personal problems. Accusing someone of using drugs or alcohol will only make the situation worse.

One of the important objectives of employee training is teaching people how to respond to certain situations, whether it is an irate customer or a co-worker with a terrible hangover and having trouble managing job responsibilities. Co-workers need to have a clear path for reporting troublesome situations. In the case of problematic substance use by fellow workers, the path should lead to Human Resources, whoever works with the business to provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), or the immediate supervisor. Trained professionals know how to legally approach workers suspected of using drugs and alcohol.

Showing Concern the Right Way

Of course, it is human nature to avoid “turning in” someone to a manager. Despite all warnings, employees will try to express concern to co-workers. Training should include explaining that expressing concern and attempting to pry into someone’s private life are two entirely different acts. Workers can be a resource for addicted co-workers by discussing the EAP program or supplying helpful contact information. However, people not trained in dealing with addiction can quickly escalate a troublesome situation, if the co-workers resent any interference or suggestion of wrongdoing.2

Above all, workers should always know that they must report to supervisors any and all safety issues. Usually the supervisor can quickly figure out the root of the problem upon investigation. Conflicts with workmates can be distressing and disruptive and sometimes dangerous. Employers need a robust drug and alcohol policy and an equally robust employee training program. Substance abuse can lead to unpredictable results, so employees need to know they have a way to get help when needed – help as a drug or alcohol user, or help as a co-worker.

Every drug and alcohol program needs to be supported with reliable screening services. Mediscreen (http://mediscreen.net.au/) trained collectors provide 24/7 screenings to businesses dedicated to implementing robust drug & alcohol testing programs.

This article has been taken from http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/advice-for-co-workers-detecting-workplace-substance-abuse/

The Value of Money

There was a time when the value of money was tied up with the supply and demand of gold. Then, it was taken off of the gold standard and put on the silver standard. Then, money was valued based purely upon supply and demand, so that anyone complaining about the decreased value of money due to being taken off of the gold standard is wrong. The new value of money based upon supply and demand really determines the value of money, as long as you are not relating that value to your own needs. You see, the value of money is, in reality, determined by the need of it by the individual or company using it or bringing it in. This is a rather poignant fact that all companies like to avoid talking about because they prefer deferred credit and to know that their cash flow will not dry up any time soon. As long as those two things are taken care of, they really do not need to worry about things like the value of money.

Well, life is simple but not quite this idiotic. Good business economics and good business owners see that you need to absolutely make sure that you are aware of all of the things going on in your business, even if you don’t want to see them. Even if they are hard to accept, the only way that your business can improve is if you understand the logic and pain of problems which arise. Only then can you do something about them, making your company stronger in the long run. This is why Mediscreen provides onsite drug & alcohol testing for companies all over Australia. Our specialists show up to your place of work and they test all of your employees, while you save both money and time. Speaking of the value of money, you are increasing the value of money in your own place of work by spending less money on more efficient drug screening for your workers. It’s fast, easy, and simple to understand. The value of money was meant to be determined by market value.

This article has been taken from : http://www.mediscreen.net.au/articles/the-value-of-money/

The Underdeveloped Side

In Jungian psychology, there are four sides to the human self, Intuitive, Sensate, Feeler, and Thinker. Many people are dominant in one or two of these sides, are somewhat accomplished in another side, but have an underdeveloped side which they are awkward and uncomfortable in. This means that many people have misunderstandings and cease to get along well because they are interacting with someone using this underdeveloped side with which they are so uncomfortable. This also means that this underdeveloped side almost controls what we do and don’t do, because we make decisions all the time based upon what we want to deal with and what we find difficult and awkward to do.

This underdeveloped side, whichever side it might be, determines where we are most and least comfortable and it determines how much of our thinking and emotions gets put into various activities and ways of interacting with other people. It also determines why various people may or may not resort to drug abuse or alcoholism. Many times, when someone feels alone or as if they cannot connect with the people around them, it is because of their underdeveloped side. In response, they may begin abusing substances as a way of coping with things.

It is important to evaluate your employees in order to determine how far many of them have gone in this process. What happens when someone is so isolated from aspects of themselves which are helpful that they begin to use due to psychological pain? What happens when a simple changing around of coworkers is all that is needed in order to bring people with similar typologies together? Isn’t it important to try to achieve success in this manner?

Of course, not all business owners have time to study typologies, but this would be beneficial if they did. In the meantime, you can determine where potential pain lies by where abuse lies. You can determine this through the use of employee drug & alcohol testing. Onsite drug and alcohol screening is meant to help you to see who is clean and who is not. It is simple and effective, while also protecting the assets of your company from potential liability. Most importantly, you always have time for testing if you are using onsite drug and alcohol screening, because Mediscreen makes it easy and cost effective. 

This article has been taken from : http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/the-underdeveloped-side/

The Soul Cries Out

Have you ever seen someone who is in the throes of addiction? It’s a painful sight to watch. It’s painful to experience, even secondhand, and their soul is obviously crying out to be heard by someone who will listen. There is a strain between what is good for their brain and body and what feels good temporarily. This creates a really unsafe situation where they will do just about anything, including putting their brains and their bodies in huge danger, in order to satisfy that temporary need.

That temporary need will push friends and family members and even you out of their lives, perhaps permanently. As long as that temporary need holds sway over their desire and their heart, you cannot help them. You are powerless over their addiction, and really, so are they.

The soul cries out. What a dramatic thing to say. But when you are feeling unimaginable pain, and when you feel as if the pain will never go away and that you will never stop hurting, do you not cry out? Do you not cry out when your heart is hurting if a loved one is separated from you in some way? And we are talking about an addiction which steals both from the heart and from the body. Addicts are notoriously under fed and have low nutrition levels. Addicts are notoriously in deep physical pain from their malnutrition alone, not to mention their withdrawal symptoms, when they are not using.

Workplacedrug testing helps you to determine if this horror as entered into the workplace environment of your own working force. See if there is one employee who is bringing this unwanted pain onto the jobsite for everyone else to be exposed to, either directly or indirectly. Use drug and alcoholtesting to determine if your employees are being exposed to the physical danger and the emotional upheaval of an addict who is allowed on the worksite. This cannot go on. If your company has an Employee Assistance Program, see to it that your affected workers are enrolled right away. Otherwise, consider a termination of employment. After all, this is a professional environment, not a torture chamber. See if drug& alcohol testing is right for your business.

This article has been taken from : http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/the-soul-cries-out/

The Role of a Lifetime

Every day, we put on masks and play our roles in the theatre of life. Every day, we look for meaning behind these masks and we look for purpose in our scripts. We get on stage and act our hearts out, but the audience never appreciates all of our efforts, and the reviews in the newspaper are weak at best.

Many people in today’s world do not understand the meaning and purpose of staying true to themselves. This is unfortunate, because it brings the truth out of the sheer light of day and hides it in the prop closet, where no one will see it.

Those who let their roles take over who they are become so pained by not being true to themselves that they may resort to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain. Onsite drug and alcohol testing can determine if there is a problem, but it cannot make the problem go away.

The role of a lifetime occurs when we find our true selves and allow these truths to be apparent to everyone. It involves no acting at all, which is the hardest part of any role. It involves being true to who you are, and knowing who you are in the first place. It involves self love and acceptance and respect.

If every single one of your employees had these characteristics, then no one would be troubled about going to work or about job satisfaction or about how much time they spend on their jobs. If everyone understood the importance of searching within themselves for solutions, rather than outside of themselves, then there would be a lot fewer homicides and suicides in the world.

Until that over-idealistic reality hits earth, though, we must deal with what is in the here and now. Workplacedrug testing brings data to your desk which cannot be obtained accurately any other way. Today, we look for onsitedrug & alcohol testing, an easier alternative to standard testing methods, to solve most of our problems for us. Mediscreen specializes in onsitedrug and alcohol screening, and we would be honored to do business with you.

 This article has been taken from : http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/the-role-of-a-lifetime/