Signs & Symptoms of Abuse

Alcohol

The use of alcohol is usually easier to spot than the use of drugs. People under the influence of alcohol can be observed to display slurred speech, bleary eyes, a change in appearance/behaviour, unsteady gait, loss of co-ordination and the smell of alcohol on breath.

The police have a simple-to-remember acronym to help recognise the signs of alcohol use GUESS:

• Gait
• Unsteady
• Eyes Glazed
• Speech Slurred
• Smell

This can also be used in the workplace to identify any suspicion of alcohol use.
If you suspect a colleague is under the influence of alcohol whilst at work this must be reported to your manager immediately.

Any reasonable suspicion of the use of alcohol will result in a drug and alcohol screen being performed by Healthcare Connections and any positive results over the drink-drive limit will trigger the internal disciplinary procedures. Alcohol use at work is considered gross misconduct.

Identifying you may have a problem . . .

Keeping a problem with alcohol a secret is extremely difficult due to the obvious tell-tale signs. If you feel you may have a problem with alcohol, this should be declared in confidence to:

• Your Line Manager,
• A Member of the HR Team.

Following this, an assistance programme can be made available on a case-by-case basis.

Non-disclosure of an alcohol problem only increases the issue. However, by disclosing in confidence an active step is being made towards recovery.
 

Remember: Never put yourself and others at risk by consuming alcohol whilst at work!

Drugs

The use of drugs is sometimes more difficult to identify. However, there are certain signs that you can be aware of to make this process more simple (some of those listed below are also relevant for identifying the use of alcohol).

Irregular attendence at work/absenteeism:

• Unauthorised leave taken repeatedly.
• Excessive amounts of sickness absence.
• Regular late attendance.
• Absence from post, greater than normal need.
• Unduly long breaks and absence of duty.

Work performance:

• Job role takes longer than it normally should.
• Alternating periods of high and low productivity.
• Increased error rate in work or unusual clumsiness.
• General unpredictability.
• Incapable of performing role.

Accidents & incidents:

• High occurrence of accident or incident at work.
• High occurrence of accident or incident out of work (including road traffic accidents etc.).

Mood & personality:

• Over-excitement and extreme elation.
• Bad memory/recollection of task.
• Deterioration of relationships with others.
• Sudden mood changes.
• Depression and lack of patience (irritability).
• Loss of interest in hobbies, work, friends, sport.
• Avoiding Line Manager, covering up mistakes (being deceptive).

Other key indicators:

• Unkempt appearance or lack of hygiene.
• Bleary eyes (pin-point or unusually dilated pupils), flushed face.
• Unusual smells, stains and marks on the body.
• Drowsiness/dizziness and loss of concentration.

Domestic problems:

• Physical evidence (drug paraphernalia).

Remember: Many of the above stated factors could be explained in other ways that do not include the use of drugs or alcohol.