Watching someone you know deal with an addiction can be very difficult, especially if it is a colleague or employee in the workplace. Understanding how to approach and support someone can be even tougher, so it is important to understand the steps to help them recover.

As the abuse of drugs and alcohol impacts a person’s well-being and work performance, especially in fast-paced, highly stressful working environments, more and more employers are struggling to know how to deal with employees suffering from alcoholism. This situation can be difficult to control, especially if both a professional relationship and a friendly relationship exist.

Supposing that an employee is suffering from a drug and alcohol addiction, employers must tread carefully; from a litigation angle, along with triggering further mental health and habitual behaviours. For many employees who suffer from alcoholism, the thought of their employers having knowledge of this will be distressing.

Therefore, to keep an employee’s best interest at heart, a certain approach should be followed when concerning addiction, so read more information below for tips for dealing with employees suffering from alcoholism.

Here at Ocean Recovery Centre, we offer both self-referrals and employer referrals to ensure that support can be reached by those in need. See how to approach an employee with an addiction, along with the available addiction treatment and support available here.

 

Signs & Symptoms Of A Drug Or Alcohol Addiction

Common signs and symptoms of substance abuse include a change of mood, irritability, spikes in energy, and further habitual behaviours, along with physical indications such as malnourishment and sleep deprivation.

It is understandable for concern to be present from an employer’s perspective; their employees’ quality of life may be deteriorating, and this can also impact work activity. However, it is important to understand the differentiation between substance abuse and addiction.

If an employee is suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction, intervention under the law is acceptable and is something we promote here at Ocean Recovery Centre. However, it is important to ensure an addiction is present, as false accusations could trigger further substance abuse, along with damaging a professional relationship.

There’s also an issue related to workplace discrimination which can damage workplace morale and deviate from equality policies. Therefore, getting involved too early can carry greater risk long term, so it is important to involve HR and professionals to ensure that you are dealing with employees with alcoholism properly.

With this in mind, it is important to fully understand the signs of a drug and alcohol addiction before requesting expert support. If an employee actively consumes dangerous substances, communicates that they have a substance abuse problem, or allows their addiction to control their life, it’s time to seek rehabilitation through medical intervention.

 

How To Approach An Employee Suffering With Addiction

Once it has been identified that an addiction is present and it is causing issues in the workplace, approaching an employee suffering from alcoholism regarding treatment services is recommended.

However, it is important to consider the approach you follow. Although under employment legislation, employers will have the right to suspend or terminate a contract of employment, it is also recommended to offer a helping hand at this difficult time.

To achieve this, one of the most effective yet compassionate ways will be through the use of a substance abuse professional. This will provide a neutral standpoint, offering support, recommendations, tests, rehabilitation recommendations and aftercare guidance.

It is important that within a workplace environment, support to overcome an addiction is present for the employee suffering. Yet this must be controlled to ensure the risk of further legislative issues is reduced, along with considering health and safety, and the life of the employee involved.

If you are concerned about an employee, and require assistance with the best steps moving forward, feel free to contact our addiction specialists today. Every situation will be different, therefore, acquiring professional support immediately will ease this difficult time.

If you believe an employee is suffering from addiction, taking a step back and considering your behaviour and actions will be required to deal with this situation effectively. Please do not attempt to deal with this situation without understanding your legal standpoint and the implications you may have on your employees.

 

Available Support For Employees With Addiction

Woman who has overcome alcoholism

By reaching out to our team here at Ocean Recovery Centre, an employee/employer referral is possible. We understand how difficult it can be to be both the professional employer and the caring helping hand of a colleague, so understanding the process for dealing with employees suffering from alcoholism is key.

We can guide you with the most appropriate steps moving forward to ensure that you receive both legislative support and relationship-building guidance.

If the concerned employee welcomes support, we offer a comprehensive rehab programme available to treat drug and alcohol addictions and can help people with mild to chronic cases. We can aid the recovery of your colleague by working through personalised treatment programmes, psychological therapy, and long-term recovery goals.

Our team of addiction specialists are on hand to guide clients through the rehabilitation process while providing support through general life stages; promoting a positive outlook on future career steps. This is a highly successful programme, helping those with some of the most deep-rooted drug and alcohol addictions.

 

Our Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programmes

For many employers, an understanding of the drug and alcohol rehab process is desired to ensure they can support their employees as effectively as possible. By referring your colleague to our rehab, they will complete an industry-leading treatment process which consists of a range of addiction treatments and round-the-clock support.

Support and care are provided throughout our rehab programmes to ensure our clients are comfortable and prepared to recover. Depending on the severity of a drug and alcohol addiction, treatment and rehab lengths will vary depending on the severity of the substance abuse and the amount of treatments your employee requires to achieve long-term recovery.

Please be reassured that throughout this time, all of your employee’s details will remain confidential. We ensure that care and consideration are provided to each client as well as suitable support to help them rehabilitate.

Alongside supporting our clients, we can guide employers on how to deal with addiction in the workplace, along with the best approaches moving forward to avoid relapses.

If you believe that your workplace or a specific employee would benefit from a comprehensive, industry-leading rehab programme, reach out today on 0800 880 7596. Watching an employee suffer from addiction is difficult and worrying, so take the most appropriate steps to help them through this time of need. If you’re struggling with dealing with employees suffering from alcoholism, get in touch today.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: October 18, 2023

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.