What Is Substance Abuse in the Workplace?
Ask people to describe the profile of a substance abuser, and they will likely point to a career criminal, not someone who happens to carry a briefcase. The finger is unlikely to fall on coworkers, although the reality is starkly different — by many estimates, nearly 75 percent of all substance abusers hold full- or part-time jobs, underscoring the challenge that awaits employers who fail to acknowledge any problems themselves. Left unchecked, substance abuse can destroy a business by attrition, as absenteeism, lost productivity and instability take their toll. History Concern about substance abuse on the job is not a new phenomenon. Fears about the potential impact of substance abuse on productivity has been a common denominator since colonial times, when many communities imposed harsh punishments — such as confinement to stocks, for example — for offenses like public drunkenness. Similarly, America’s attempt to ban alcohol during the 1920s- and 1930s-era Prohibition experiment ref
