Narco Non Victims » Alcohol

Can Online Counseling for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Problems Be Effective?

maureen — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 03:07:06 +0000

The answer to the question in the title of this article is: “Yes, but with the need to understand the limits of online help.”
Definitions
The words “alcohol dependence” or “addiction” are often used without definition. So, let’s first define some terms. As used in this article, alcohol or drug addiction means that a person’s alcohol or other drug use has reached the point that the person cannot use without loss of control over use of the substance and/or cannot use without producing adverse consequences in significant life areas. The addicted person has developed a psychological and/or physical dependence upon the substance. An addicted person will continue to use the substance in the face of adverse consequences.
The term alcohol or drug dependence is often used interchangeably with addiction, but here I use the term dependence to mean physical dependence on a substance, meaning that stopping use of the substance will result in withdrawal symptoms. A person can develop dependence on a substance without developing addiction; the best example of this physical dependence would be the person who takes a narcotic analgesic (pain killer such as oxycodone or morphine) as prescribed by a doctor long enough to be physically dependent on the drug, a natural, inevitable consequence of chronic use of such a drug. Under these circumstances, abruptly stopping use of the substance will result in the withdrawal syndrome typical for the class of substance involved. Most persons with addiction (for ex., alcoholism) are NOT physically dependent on their drug and will not experience the full blown physical withdrawal for the substance. They will, however, experience cravings, sleeplessness, and other symptoms caused by their psychological dependence on the drug.
Diagnosis
Alcohol or other drug problems fall within two diagnostic categories: abuse or addiction (as I said, often called dependence). Abuse basically means the person has developed a pattern of use of the substance in the face of adverse consequences in significant life areas (medically, financially, legally, problems in relationships). Addiction is summarized in the first paragraph of this article.
Treatment
Alcoholism and other drug addictions are devastating disorders which negatively impact affected individuals and all who care about them, physically, emotionally and mentally, and spiritually. For persons diagnosed with full blown addiction, I favor an abstinence based treatment model, meaning a model whose basic ultimate (it may take a while to get there) goal is abstinence from use of alcohol or other drugs. This model should include education, cognitive behavioral counseling, and use of Twelve Step (for ex., AA) spiritually based principles. Online addiction treatment can be helpful in itself and/or as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes traditional face-to-face counseling and other treatment interventions.
Treatment of Severe Addiction
Successful treatment of persons with full blown alcohol or other drug addiction may require a comprehensive treatment program, with services provided by professionals face-to-face. This treatment would be beyond that offered by online addiction treatment. Such a comprehensive program should be staffed by helping professionals from many disciplines. Staff should include physicians to address medical issues such as withdrawal, mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists, to treat co- or pre-existing psychiatric disorders that may be present, and last but not least, certified, licensed addiction counselors, preferably a significant number of whom are in recovery themselves. Such a Treatment Program should also provide individual and group counseling, educational groups, and, as important as any of the treatments, access to Twelve Step self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Nar-Anon (for loved ones), and ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), to name but a few.
An evaluation will reveal the extent of the treatment required. This evaluation can be performed online by a qualified addictions counselor.
Online Treatment or Counseling
Online help for persons with full blown addiction problems can be helpful, but the comprehensive programs outlined under Treatment of Severe Addiction may be necessary depending upon the seriousness of the problem. A comprehensive evaluation of the addicted person is needed. Such an evaluation can be done online, leading to recommendations for the appropriate treatment.
Persons who are already involved in any stage (intensive outpatient, continuing care, aftercare) of traditional treatment programs can use online services as a supplement to their treatment and to Twelve Step Program attendance. Persons who have completed traditional treatment can also benefit from these services.
Loved Ones of an Addicted Person
Spouses, lovers, friends, co-workers, parents, brothers, sisters, and sons and daughters, to name a few, can be concerned that the person they care about may have an alcohol or other drug problem. When adult children are concerned about use by a parent, the term “Adult Child of an Alcoholic or Addict” (ACOA) may apply. Persons close to an individual with a drug or alcohol need help for their natural feelings of confusion, hurt, anger, and loneliness. Online services can provide support, education, and recommendations for these concerned persons.
Cautions
Persons with serious emotional or psychiatric conditions (such as, but not limited to, eating disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), not stabilized through traditional treatment by a qualified mental health professional are not appropriate for the help offered online and should seek help from such professionals before accessing online services. These patients can, when stabilized by appropriate treatment, benefit from online counseling.
Persons who are depressed and thinking of harming themselves or others are also not appropriate for online help and should get help immediately by calling a crisis line, going to the Emergency Room of a hospital, or seeking other immediate help. These patients can, when stabilized by appropriate treatment, also benefit from online counseling
Persons who have a pattern of using addictive substances on a daily or almost daily basis need to access face-to-face evaluation and treatment service providers to address possible medical and other problems associated with withdrawal that may accompany physical dependence, before using online services available here.
Limitations
1. By its nature, internet counseling can be interrupted by technological difficulties beyond the control of either the counselor or the client. Before services are provided, the client will be given suggestions for alternative methods for contacting the counselor should disruptions in the client’s service occur (for ex., a public library). The counselor should pledge that should technical difficulties result from his/her personal computer or other internet access, the counselor will have alternative internet access readily available.
2. The visual and auditory cues available during face-to-face counseling are, of course, not available in internet counseling. Therefore, it is vital that both the client and the counselor be diligent in seeking clarification of any communications, as needed.
3. The addictions counselor must at the outset of the counseling relationship help the client to identify local therapists and other treatment providers, including crisis services.
4. The addictions counselor must include safeguards to keep client information confidential and protected from unauthorized access. Client information, including history, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and progress notes, should be for the counselor’s eyes only. No one else must have access to this information. The information should be retained on a safeguarded CD for one year after the counseling relationship has ended, or for a longer or shorter period of time dictated by the client.
Under the circumstances outlined in this article, online counseling of persons with drug or alcohol abuse or addictions can be effective.

Why is Alcohol a Drug?

maureen — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:07:26 +0000

http://www.recoverydoesntsuck.com

In Narcotics Anonymous and other 12 step programs recovery is usually defined as complete abstinence from all mood and mind altering drugs. This includes the legal drug, alcohol. I have heard this questioned and debated many times and want to suggest some good reasons why Alcohol is a drug.

My personal experience is that Alcohol was a part of my using almost always. Although it was not my “Drug of Choice” I drank daily, and to excess. I did not admit that at first, but if I am honest with myself I know this to be true, for me. When I was first in treatment I insisted that my goal was not to give up drinking, or even smoking marijuana for that matter. I just wanted to quit Cocaine, which I didn’t really consider my drug of choice but rather the drug that was kicking my ass on a regular basis. They doctor asked me “Phil, if your life depended on it, could you abstain from all mood and mind altering drugs”? I replied that of course, if my life depended on it I could. Then they set about the business of convincing me that my life did depend on it.

The disease concept was one of the things they set out to educate me about. The disease concept, as I understand it suggests that addiction is an incurable and fatal disease that while incurable can be treated and put into remission by abstinence from mood and mind altering drugs. Further, it suggests that the remission can be broken by any drug, not just the former drug of choice, and not even a drug that the person has ever done before. In other words, if someone has never had a drink of alcohol, but is in recovery for some other drug use, their addiction can be awakened by a drink, and not only awakened, but awakened at the place it would have progressed to had the person been active the entire time. I know some don’t believe in the disease concept, but in my 16 plus years in the rooms of 12 step fellowships I have seen it happen enough that I believe it.

I know that some people seem to be able to go from drug addiction and somehow stop using the illegal drugs and manage to drink in a “responsible” manner. I won’t argue that its possible. Here is my concern: it cuts people off from the support of the 12 step fellowships, or if they continue to go, it puts them in a position to be dishonest. See even though some 12 step fellowships don’t expressly forbid anything other than their namesake (in other words technically you could go to AA, get years of sobriety while continuing to use marijuana) most of the “winners” in the program would tell you that you don’t have any sobriety without total abstinence. NA is 100 percent clear on this. There is no room in NA for someone who abstains from “narcotics” but drinks.

Big deal you say? Well, imagine this situation if you will. Let’s say you go to the program to deal with a cocaine problem. You are welcomed into AA, get a sponsor, attend meetings and work some steps. Lo and behold you put a few 24 hours together and declare yourself “Clean and Sober” to the world. In this example imagine that you are a published author and well known motivational speaker. As time goes on you decide that a drink sounds like a good idea, and you try it out and find that you can control it. What do you do when people ask you about your recovery? Well since you had a Cocaine problem, and you are still clean from Cocaine, you hear yourself saying “I’m clean and sober now for X amount of time”. Problem is that’s not true. Are you just lying to them, or are you lying to yourself too?

Then lets say that you end up with a pain management issue with a back injury. If you were still all the way in the program you would have a support system that includes all the people you know in the rooms in addition to your sponsor and your sponsees… but wait, since you wanted to drink, you don’t have a sponsor, you are not sponsoring others, and your not attending meetings. You are essentially alone, with your addiction ready to kick in with the aid of prescription pain killers….

An addict alone is in poor company. Alcohol is a drug. We must abstain from all drugs in order to recover. My example is a true story. All I can do is pray for him.

I don’t wonder about whether or not I could “get away” with drinking. I’m not willing to gamble my life on it today. I would suggest to you that its not worth it.

Addiction Is Not All About Drugs And Alcohol

maureen — Sun, 08 May 2011 15:09:19 +0000

“Being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)”

The above is a dictionary definition of addiction. Although tolerance to, and physical dependance upon a substance, is not the medical definition of addiction. Which is:

“an addiction is a chronic neurobiologic disorder that has genetic, psychosocial, and environmental dimensions and is characterized by one of the following: the continued use of a substance despite its detrimental effects, impaired control over the use of a drug (compulsive behavior), and preoccupation with a drug’s use for non-therapeutic purposes (i.e. craving the drug).” (source – Wikipedia)

Addiction is very often associated with anti social behaviour, as the addict often needs to steal to fund his or her particular addiction. In fact addiction is now one of the most costly problems for the United States, especially in view of the fact that addiction is progressive, and will continue to get worse unless, and until, suitable treatment is sought and undertaken. Even having made the decision to quit, many addicts fall by the wayside and take many attempts before eventual success.

Furthermore once addicted, even if successful in coming off a substance, an addict is still addicted, and many require help for many years if not for life. Most of us are aware of the alcoholics introduction at their meetings. “Hi, I’m (name), and I’m an alcoholic”.

It’s a massive problem, and it is now being recognised that it is not just the physical dependance upon a substance, but the psychological dependance, which is probably the more important. The mind is an amazingly powerful thing. If your mind tells you that you need a certain thing to function then that’s what will happen. You will move heaven and earth to get hold of that thing, if you have to beg, borrow, steal, and lie to do so.

Anyone can get addicted to an incredible variety of things. We automatically think of drugs and alcohol when we think of addiction. And it’s true that alcohol and drugs are probably the most commonly abused substances.

However, it can just as easily be shopping, gambling, sex, food, internet, even work. Every one of these addictions can be equally as destructive to an addict and their family. They are just as pre-occupied with getting their next “fix” to the oblivion of everything else around them. Fatal consequences are unfortunately not uncommon.

Any form of addiction is an outward manifestation that someone is is in deep trouble and requires prompt treatment. Addiction is a terrible, debilitating condition, but the good news is that it is treatable. There are many places to get help, of course the addict must in the first instance want that help. That is the first stage toward recovery.

Treatment for addiction takes many forms, and will depend upon the nature of the addiction, and the person themselves. It can involve therapy, medication, self-help groups, or a combination of all these. The most important thing is to recognise the symptoms early, and seek treatment at the first opportunity.

Dot Drug and Alcohol Testing

maureen — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:57:39 +0000

The Department Of Transportation (DOT) has issued new rules for drug and alcohol testing, for all the transportation employers and safety-sensitive transportation employees. This new regulation was designed to prevent accidents and property damage that are caused by the misuse of drug and alcohol by the drivers. DOT has provided certain rules on how to conduct these tests, what is the process of testing and who to conduct these tests. These rules cover the employees of State and Local government who are required to have a Commercial driving License (CDL).Education and Training of Drug Testing

Every company has to provide the educational materials for their drivers, which explains the requirements and policies for testing drug and alcohol ingestion regulations. According to the Sec.382.601 (b), the educational materials should include the following discussions.

· Personal identity of the drivers designated by the employer to answer the questions regarding the material.

· Requirements of the drivers, subject to the misuse of alcohol and controlled substance requirements.

· Explanation of safety-sensitive function to understand the period of workday that is required for the drivers to be in compliance.

· Specific information regarding the conduct of the driver that is prohibited.

· The circumstances under which the driver will be tested for drug, alcohol or any other substances.

· The test procedure of DOT conducted for the presence of drug or alcohol substances.

· The list of requirements for submitting the alcohol or drug tests by the driver.

· Explanation of what constitutes the refusal to submit the drug or alcohol testing.

· The consequences for drivers found to be dishonored the rules of prohibition of alcohol or other substances. This includes, immediate removal of driver safety-sensitive functions.

· The information about the affects of drugs, alcohol, or any such substances on the health and work of the people.Drugs That DOT Test

As specified by the DOT, the companies should test for alcohol and the following five drugs:

· Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines and Phencyclidine (PCP).Different Tests That DOT Require

According to the rules of DOT, drivers have to perform the following drug and alcohol tests: Pre-Employment Testing, Reasonable Suspicion Testing, Post-Accident Testing and Random Testing.

Apart from these four tests, the “Return-to-duty” and “Follow-up tests” are linked to the employer’s consequences policy, which are to be performed under the DOT rule.

This information makes you aware about the DOT drug and alcohol tests and educational measures that every company provides for their employees.

Drug And Alcohol Detox And Addiction Counselling

maureen — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:57:12 +0000

Narcotic drugs and alcohol are very physically addictive substances accounting for the rise in drug and alcohol addiction rates yearly. Once the body is dependent on the substance for normality, the absence of the substance will cause great pain and discomfort to be inflicted on the individual, known as withdrawal.AddictionDrug and alcohol addiction counselling and detox are highly controversial topics and met with many mixed beliefs and schools of thought, especially when physical and non-physical drug addiction is concerned. Unlike previously when addiction was considered a moral failing, professionals have now been opting towards a more successful approach of addiction treatment. Many experts and professionals have come to view addiction as a disease which is progressive and fatal if not treated. The disease can however be arrested through ceasing all addictive behaviour accompanied by counselling and a daily programme of recovery.Physical addiction and the need for detoxOpiates such as heroin and codeine, benzodiazepines such as Valium and Rohypnol, some amphetamines such as methamphetamines (eg Tik) and ethyl-alcohol (the type of alcohol found in regular alcoholic drinks such as whisky and beer), are substances which the human body becomes dependant on when exposed to their effects over a certain period of time. Quaaludes, anabolic steroids, beta blockers, caffeine and nicotine also cause dependence.Physical dependency can only be overcome through the addicted individual abstaining from use of the addictive substances. This will cause the body to go into a state of withdrawal, as it is dependent on the substance for functioning.Treatment centres, rehabilitation centres and hospitals usually offer detoxification programmes for drug and alcohol addiction. Detoxification can be extremely harmful, even fatal. The process is nick-named “detox” and is carefully monitored by professionals.In many instances, the patient is given medication to ease their discomfort during the detox. This discomfort usually results in the use of drugs to rid themselves of the symptoms. It has been found that regulated and decreasing doses of a pharmaceutical replacement with similar actions as an addictive drug is useful in allowing addicts to be “weaned off” the substance without unbearable discomfort.DetoxWhen an addict or alcoholic is willing to enter a treatment programme to treat their addiction, many rehab centres require that patients are “clean” of all drugs and substances. The patient will need generally to pass a drug or alcohol test indicating that their systems are free of substances. If a client enters a treatment programme whilst still under the influence of a narcotic or alcohol, it may affect the safety of the other clients and the individual themselves.The process of a drug and alcohol detox differs for each treatment centre offering the service. Some rehabs do not offer detoxes and require the client to attend a detox in a hospital or separate clinic as the rehab may not have the correct facilities to offer detoxification. The process is an extremely difficult ordeal for the addict to experience and must be handled with a great deal of professionalism. Alcoholic detoxes can cause delirium tremors, inducing hallucinations and violent behaviour. Only qualified, experienced and able professionals should administer a detox to a withdrawing addict or alcoholic.CounsellingA detox programme can take a week or more to complete, although secondary withdrawals will follow after this; they are less severe than initial withdrawals, not requiring medication or facilitation. Once a detox has been completed, the client is advised to enter an addiction treatment programme at a rehab.Drug and alcohol addiction counselling is an effective method of treating any form of addiction, helping the client to become a normal and functioning member of society. Group therapy and individual therapy is widely considered the most effective method of drug and alcohol addiction treatment, coupled with a healthy lifestyle and the adoption of a Twelve Step Programme as a way of maintaining abstinence and sobriety.Counselling and a Twelve Step Programme help to enable the patient to cope with behaviours, past grievances, emotions and dynamics in their lives and to piece together a practical and realistic approach to life. Whilst the patient needs to stop using drugs and alcohol, counselling will help improve their lives much further. Abstinence plus change is the main aim of a recovering addict.The life of a drug addict and alcoholic needn’t be bad or hindered. Addicts have the potential to be very successful and productive people if they are able to stop their drug and alcohol use. Whilst this may require a detox, if followed with proper counselling and therapy plus the endorsement of a healthy lifestyle and application to a Twelve Step Programme, the person suffering from drug or alcohol addiction can arrest their disease and live a normal life again.

Need to Find Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Utah?

maureen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:57:11 +0000

Utah is a beautiful state with breathtaking mountains, and phenomenal skiing. When you think of Utah, you donât think of alcoholics and drug addicts. But the reality is that people with addictions live everywhere. If you know itâs time to clean up and you are ready to make the change then itâs time to find a Drug and Alcohol treatment center in Utah . Alcohol is a psychoactive drug. A psychoactive drug is an agent that provides pleasure or to make pain go away, and may cause physical dependence and tolerance, with a tendency to up the dose as tolerance is built. An alcoholic is a person who drinks alcoholic substances habitually and to excess or who suffers from alcoholism. Alcoholism is a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, and a decreased ability to function socially and vocationally. Alcohol such as beer, wine, and liquor is the most commonly abused drug in this country. Alcohol is a legal drug and it is a very socially accepted which makes it easy to obtain and easier to become an addict. An addict is a person who is addicted to an activity, habit, or substance. Finding treatment centers that fill your needs is important for your recovery.

Alcohol is a highly addictive substance, and as with any drug you choose to do, if you become hooked on alcohol you are a drug addict. Addiction is the compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance, characterized by increased tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal. Withdrawal is the physical and psychological reaction that a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol experiences when they abruptly discontinue their use. It may be easier to call your self an alcoholic, or say you have alcoholism, but in reality you are a drug addict, however, you are ready to change that, right? Youâve tried before, but canât? You realize that you canât do it on your own, and you need help? Drug and alcohol rehab in Utah is what you need. Now that you are ready to start your life over, sober, you need to find a treatment center.

Detoxifying by yourself can be difficult to do. Doing it alone can make a person decide that drinking alcohol is a much better alternative than putting your body and mind through the pain and misery of sobering up. This is why it is hard to stop using drugs and very mentally tasking. Drug detox is a good way to start. There are many long term treatment centers to choose from in Utah.

Drug And Alcohol Training: What Alcohol On The Breath Should Mean To Supervisors

maureen — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:58:51 +0000

Don’t let your drug and alcohol training may miss this fine point: Your employee may be steady as a rock, but an employee with high tolerance to alcohol can be totally drunk and appear sober as a judge. You smell alcohol on the breath but your employee says he didn’t drink before coming to work? It might be true, but try the night before. Alcoholics with liver problems will stay drunk for hours on very little booze because metabolization slows due to the dysfunctional operation of the liver. Recommendation: Do a drug screen.

Does your organization have an alcohol and drug policy that prohibits employees from coming to work after drinking? About about lunch? Can they drink a couple martinis and they come back to the worksite after heading to Whole Foods?

This is a big problem for many companies whose zero tolerance policies don’t add up.

The fact is that many employees with one martini under their belt may act drunk while the true, bona fide alcoholics with high tolerance could have three martinis and appear completely unaffected.

Many hospitals have alcohol and drug policies that prohibit day-time drinking but these same hospitals often excuse their medical staffs. Why? The answer is simple. The rate of alcoholism among doctors is twice that of the general population according to research. Doctors run hospitals. They are the money train. That means appeasement. On average 14% of the doctors in most hospitals are diagnosable alcoholics in early or late stage, or in remission and recovery. There is not way to predict what percentage have their work performance affected. Still, how are you going to address this issue.

Alcohol and the issues that surround it make it difficult to decide how to handle use during the workday in many organizations. It is important to consider these issues. In Great Britain 25% of the workforce drinks alcohol and lunch, and although they have drug testing their laws based upon reasonable suspicion, alcohol on the breath is not a legal criteria — alone — to make a decision to require a reasonable suspicion drug test. If this was a potential justification, there would hell in the streets. Indeed, in the 18th century, British sailors were allow a liter of liquor a day. The absence of alcohol almost doomed the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

When doing drug and alcohol training, many naive organizations believe it is a supervisor’s role to only evaluate “work quality” of an employee, but it is work performance that should be considered. Work performance means much more. It includes quality of work, attendance, behavior, availability, attitude, and other conduct issues. Conformance to the alcohol and drug policy is part of what should be obviously not overlooked.

The smell of alcohol is a legitimate “symptom” that can be objectively identified. The supervisor does not have to worry that it could be “something else.” It any case it is the employee’s burden to prove that it is something else because safety demands that it not be the other way around. The drug test is how the proof is provided. The Supreme Court has ruled the drug testing does not violate privacy rights – period.

The role of front-line supervisors in detecting drug and alcohol abuse

maureen — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:45:32 +0000

Front-line supervision

Front-line supervisors spend more time with the workforce than any other level of management. They interface directly, on the job with employees. The main task of supervisors is to ensure that the work gets done by those reporting to them. They are held responsible for the productivity and behaviour of the employees reporting to them. Therefore, any action that affects these employees’ productivity and behaviour is of concern to the supervisor.

Drug and alcohol abuse/misuse is an increasing problem in Australia. In 1998 the cost to the economy was estimated at billion and by 2004 the cost estimate was up to billion. (Lauder, 2008). These costs are related to sickness, premature death, reduced productivity, crime and accidents. Drug and alcohol abuse/misuse affects the productivity not only of the employees themselves, but also of other employees.

Importance of training in drug and alcohol abuse/misuse for supervisors

In order to be effective in detecting drug and alcohol abuse/misuse supervisors need to be adequately trained. This training should include:

Company policy on drug and alcohol abuse/misuse
What is drug and alcohol abuse/misuse
Effects of drug and alcohol abuse/misuse in the workplace
How to detect drug and alcohol abuse/misuse
Company policy and practice in drug and alcohol testing

The role of drug and alcohol testing in the workplace

“Employee drug and alcohol testing is intended to ensure workplace safety, security and productivity.”

Employees who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol are a danger in the workplace; not only to themselves, but also to their co-workers. It is, therefore, important to test workers regularly. It is also important that this testing is done within the confines of the law and your company policy. You cannot just ask an employee to take a breathalyser test or collect a urine or saliva sample without several things being in place first. To learn how to collect samples correctly, register for the Workplace Based Certified Drug & Alcohol Collector – Nationally Accredited Training at CMM Technology. This training covers the following Australian Standards:

AS4308:2008 (Urine Drug Testing)
AS4760:2006 (Saliva Drug Testing)
AS3547 (Breath Alcohol Testing)

Guidelines for drug and alcohol abuse detection by supervisors

Supervisors need to look out for the following signs of drug and alcohol abuse/misuse:

Missed appointments, sick days, drunkenness or “on a high” on the job.
Relatives phoning in to explain why the employee is not at work.
Unexplained absences from work station.
Lack of tolerance of co-workers.
Irritability, restlessness, shakiness, trembling, sweating.
Regularly complaining of headaches.
Unexplained fatigue.
Not eating at lunch breaks.
Bloodshot eyes.
Pupils larger or smaller than usual.
Sudden weight loss.
Slurred speech.
Coordination problems.
Lack of motivation.
Seems paranoid for no reason.

If the supervisor suspects drug or alcohol misuse, the Drug and Alcohol policy of the company must be followed.

Conclusion

Drug and alcohol abuse/misuse can be a serious problem in the workplace and the front-line supervisor is in the ideal position to detect abuse/misuse. If equipped with the correct knowledge and skills the supervisor can detect drug and alcohol abuse/misuse at an early stage and can refer the employee for testing, counselling and treatment.

CMM Technology offers both saliva and urine-based drug testing products and an assortment of high quality alcohol breathalysers. We offer training and information on implementing these devices. For expert assistance on a quality workplace drug and alcohol testing solution,

Bibliography

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Alcohol Testing. (2010). Retrieved January 04, 2011, from CMM Technology: http://cmm.com.au/drug-alcohol-testing-alcohol-testing-c-43_52.html

Lauder, S. (2008, April 09). Report reveals Australia’s drug-use price tag. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from ABC News: http:www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/09/2211810.htm

Melinda Smith, M. a. (2010, November). Drug Abuse and Addiction. Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drug Problems and Substance Abuse. Retrieved January 09, 2011, from HELPGUIDE.org: http://helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm

Melinda Smith, M. a. (2010, November). Drug Abuse and Addiction. Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drug Problems and Substance Abuse. Retrieved January 09, 2011, from HELPGUIDE.org: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm

Melinda Smith, M., & Lawrence Robinson, a. J. (2010, November). Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drinking Problems. Retrieved January 09, 2011, from HELPGUIDE.org: http://helpguide.org/mental/alcohol_abuse_alcoholism_signs_effects_treatment.htm

Saliva Drug Testing . (2010). Retrieved January 04, 2011, from CMM Technology.

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Workplace Based Certified Drug & Alcohol Collector. (2010). Retrieved January 04, 2011, from CMM Technology: http://cmm.com.au/services-training-drug-alcohol-training-certified-collector-training-p-101.html?cPath=57_63_62

Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing. (2010, December). Retrieved December 20, 2010, from Private Healthcare UK: http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/workplace-health/drug-alcohol-testing/

Dot Drug and Alcohol Testing

maureen — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 07:47:29 +0000

Education and Training of Drug Testing