Certain behavioural patterns and signs can indicate possible abuse of substances by employees or colleagues. These include: Sudden mood changes; Unusual irritability or aggression; Confusion; Abnormal fluctuation in concentration and energy levels; Impaired performance of duties and responsibilities; Poor time-management; Increased frequency of short-term illnesses and absence; Deterioration in relationships with colleagues, customers or management; Dishonesty; and Theft in the office Please remember that these signs and symptoms may also be caused by other factors such as stress, marital or family conflict. Addressing the abuse of substances and providing assistance to employees or colleagues with substance abuse may benefit the work environment in the following ways: Saving on recruitment costs, as these employees or colleagues remain in the business following treatment; Reducing losses of absenteeism or impaired productivity of employees or colleagues; Creating a more productive environment for all employees; Creating and sustaining a positive moral culture in the office; Reducing the risk of possible injury or harm due to impairments; and Enhancing the public view or reputation of the business as informed and supportive.
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I’m 31 years old, born and raised in Pretoria. I’m the third child to my parents. I’ve always had a good sense of humour. I like sharing my humour with my family, friends and pretty much anyone I meet. I just love making people laugh, smile and feel good about themselves. Eight (8) years ago I used to regularly drink beer with friends and at times I would smoke marijuana. When it came to my work as a graphic designer, jokes aside, I always did my work and made sure I was good at it. I once heard about heroin and how addictive it is. I knew a couple of my cousins that were addicted and said they couldn’t stop using even if they tried. I was amazed by how people that I knew, grew up with and used to play with are addicted to this drug. Even their uncle and parents were afraid of them. I found myself asking the question “how easy is it really to get addicted to heroin?” I had experimented with drugs but I was just curious to try heroin. I found out that it has morphine and morphine is a pain killer. I told myself that I would be careful and smart about it and only take it once and perhaps over the weekend now and then to experience that feeling one gets from taking it. This one time I was out with my friends to celebrate my friend’s birthday. I managed to get my hands on heroin and brought it to the party. I showed it to my friends but they showed no interest in taking a hit with me. Me being myself, I wasn’t going to let it go to waste. I took a fix. After a while I felt intense euphoria, deep contentment and relaxation. I loved it. That feeling I experienced was so relaxing but I told myself I would be careful not to overuse and only try it once in a while. I wanted more but I had to be careful not to get hooked. So I told myself that I will stop whenever things looked like they were getting out of hand. One day of using turned to two days. After the first two days in succession I stopped taking heroin because I told myself I can. The following day I found myself on the floor in my bathroom next to the bath tub shivering, sweating and experiencing unbearable stomach cramps. I thought I came down with a bug. I remembered Heroin, the feeling I get from taking that fix. I figured it will work and take this pain away. I managed to get a fix and another one and another one just to try to feel better to stop these feeling of pain. This became a habit and I continued using for four (4) years. What for me started as a naïve curiosity turned into addiction that continued for years. How easy is it to get addicted to heroin was my question then. It’s easy to get addicted to heroin, that’s my answer now. I didn’t like this route that I was taking, I tried stopping by myself but I would always go back to using. Four (4) years of worrying my family, 4 years of hurting people close to me, 4 years of not being able to manage my life. I felt lost and it’s only after these years I realised that I’m not only hurting my body but I’m also hurting my loved ones. I started finding out about recovery programs that were available to help individuals that were struggling with heroin addiction. I was afraid to begin or enter into any program because I couldn’t imagine being at a recovery centre and not having access to my drug of choice. But With the support I got from my friends, parents and the professional health care providers I met with and who had not lost hope in me recovering from heroin addiction. I went into a recovery program. I attended the inpatient program and ever since I got out I have been clean for 4 years and counting. When I was still addicted to heroin I kept telling myself that it’s impossible to stop using this drug but I found support and help to stay clean. This just showed me that no matter how hopeless a situation may seem, recovery from any drug problem is possible.
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Addiction is a condition which involves doing things that can be pleasurable persistently or repetitively despite their consequences. Continued use or an act of compulsive behaviour can interfere with ordinary responsibilities such as work responsibilities, family, health and relationships. Sometimes people get addicted just after a few times of exposure or act. Something to think about is how your drug use makes you feel. Do you only do drugs when you are with your friends or has your use of drugs become a habit? Ask yourselves the following questions: Are you fearful of what might happen after you stop using? Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking or drug use? Do you spend most of your times thinking about how or when you going to use drugs or drink alcohol? Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? Do you use drugs to escape negative feelings? Have you ever been in trouble with the law as a result of your use of drugs or alcohol? Are you uncomfortable about your drug or alcohol use? Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs or stopped drinking? Do you have blackouts or can’t remember what happened after consuming alcohol or drugs? Do you steal from loved ones to buy drugs or alcohol? Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g., memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding etc…)? Do you spend large amounts of money on drugs or alcohol? If you answered yes to most of the questions, then you are likely to have drug/alcohol addiction problems. Drugs and alcohol change how the body works. For other people drugs serve as a way to escape reality, life problems, and relief from stress, depression or other uncomfortable feelings. Cravings may also indicate Addiction. When you get addicted, the addiction develops strong and powerful mental cravings when the drug/ alcohol is not in your system. According to Leshner A (Addiction is a brain disease, and it matters.) Science (1997) “Addiction generates changes in the reward pathway of the brain, which creates compulsive need to find and use drugs.” This makes it difficult to quit using or taking drugs once your habit has developed to addiction. Addiction is scary and it may lead to thinking that there is no hope of recovering. The truth is that recovery from addiction is possible. It can be managed with treatment in an inpatient rehabilitation, counselling and outpatient treatment centre depending on the level of addiction. Support and positive attitudes also play a significant role in the recovery process. If you are actually an addict or headed the direction of addiction, seek professional help.
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