Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Estate Planning; Wills & Trusts
Pre-Nuptial Agreements, Divorce, Child Custody and Support, and Alimony
Drug and Substance Abuse
- What is substance abuse?
- Is drug dependency and physical addiction the same thing?
- What are the warning signs of teen drug abuse?
- What should I know about drug use in the workplace?
- Most drug users don't have jobs, right?
- How common is drug dealing in the workplace?
- How does US drug use compare to the rest of the world?
- How many people in the US use marijuana, cocaine, and heroin?
- What is the impact of substance abuse in the workplace?
- Does substance abuse threaten jobs?
- How many more workplace accidents is a substance abuser likely to be involved in?
What is Substance Abuse?
Men and women dependent on heroin, cocaine, or crack — who must have these potent drugs to get through the day — are clearly substance abusers. And drug dependency takes more than one form. You need not be physically addicted (and suffer painful bodily symptoms of withdrawal when denied your drug of choice) to be drug dependent. Psychological dependency is equally responsible for compulsive drug use. (American Council for Drug Education)
SOME WARNING SIGNS OF POTENTIAL TEEN DRUG USE
Many youth go through significant physical and emotional changes during their teen years. Most of these changes are normal. Some of these changes can look like they are the symptoms of drug use, but they may not be. The list below is not necessarily indicative of drug use. However these signs and symptoms are often associated with drug use in teens.
- Change in Eating Habits: Loss of appetite or significant change in desire to eat. A noticeable weight gain or loss.
- Sleep Patterns: While teens often need more sleep then most adults it is still possible to note unusual sleep patterns. Sleeping at unusual times? Constantly tired? Lethargic? Awake late into the night?
- New Friends or Crowd: New friends or hang-outs; avoiding old friends; unwilling to talk about or introduce new friends. New clothing style or clique.
- School / Work Performance: Drop in grades at school or performance at work; skipping school or work, or arriving late on a regular basis. An increase in detentions or other school discipline.
- Mood Swings: Oversensitivity, angry outbursts, moodiness, irritability, or nervousness.
- Motivation: General lack of motivation or energy, lack of self-esteem, an "I don't care" attitude. Difficulty paying attention; forgetfulness.
- Secretiveness: Excessively secretive teens may be hiding drug use or evidence of such.
- Dishonesty: Is your child vague about their evening or weekend plans? Coming up with excuses for being late home? Chronic dishonesty can be a sign of substance abuse.
- Cash Flow: Unexplained need for money. Money, alcohol, cigarettes or valuables missing around the home.
- Drug Paraphernalia: Common items include pipes, bongs, cigars, rolling papers, butane lighters, roach clips, syringes, tourniquets, tobacco in the trash, burned tinfoil or spoons, plastic baggies with a corner missing; as well as products to cover drug odors such as dryer sheets, air freshener, incense, or towels under the door.
DRUGS IN THE WORK PLACE
More than 70 percent of substance abusers hold jobs. One worker in four, ages 18 to 34, used drugs in the past year. And one worker in three knows of drug sales in the workplace.
Americans consume 60 percent of the world's production of illegal drugs. Twenty-three million Americans use marijuana at least four times a week; 18 million abuse alcohol; 6 million regularly use cocaine; and 2 million use heroin.
Employees with drug problems increase risk of accident, lower productivity, raise insurance costs, and reduce profits.
Does it Threaten Jobs?
Substance abusers don't have to indulge on the job to have a negative impact on the workplace. Compared to their non-abusing coworkers, they are:
- Ten times more likely to miss work
- 3.6 times more likely to be involved in on-the-job accidents (and 5 times more likely to injure themselves or another in the process)
- Five times more likely to file a worker's compensation claim
- 33% less productive
- Responsible for health care costs that are three times as high.
Operating machinery under the influence of alcohol or drugs is clearly high-risk. But danger also increases when reflexes or judgment are compromised to any degree by drugs or alcohol.
Working at minimal capacity, substance-abusing workers increase the workloads of others, lower productivity, compromise product quality, and can tarnish a company's image. Their absences and health care demands raise costs. They reduce competitiveness and profitability, weakening the companies that employ them and threatening everyone's job security. (American Council for Drug Education)
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