How to Detect Drug Use in the Workplace?

It is safer to say that drug abuse in the workplace occurs an average of once every eight hours. However, detecting the problem isn’t always easy. There are instances where employees make your work environment dangerous due to their drug use. Sadly, given the state of current affairs, the simple truth is that many workers succumb to drug use in their jobs for several reasons. According to experts, these can range from stress regarding health or family matters to frustration over work-related issues.

There are several ways to detect drug abuse, however. Here are some tips on determining whether an employee is abusing drugs in the workplace.

Drug Testing

One of the most efficient ways to detect drug abuse is daily conducting random employee drug tests. If you suspect one or more of your employees of substance abuse, it’s recommended that you ask them to take a test right away without warning or notice. Of course, if they refuse, there’s no real point in doing it because the test results will obviously show up positive for drugs, and they’ll know what you’re testing for anyway. Therefore, it would be best for you to administer  training on reasonable suspicion drug testing. So make sure you establish a policy beforehand that states that all employees must agree to a random drug test at any point in time. As well, make sure to type up a document that clearly states the penalties for drug abuse for them to sign it and agree before testing begins.

Health or Behavioral Changes

Other signs that indicate an employee is using drugs include health problems, weight changes, bloodshot eyes, sleeplessness, anxiety attacks, and severe mood swings. It’s important to note that these symptoms may not necessarily refer to drug use alone. They can also be triggered by other factors such as performance pressure or even lack thereof. However, if you notice these symptoms cropping up in an otherwise healthy individual who has never suffered from them before, it might be time for a closer look at their state of affairs. Also, consider any changes in behavior; you might want to watch out for individuals who suddenly become more secretive or those who start to not show up for work. At the same time, you might want to look out for someone who always wants to be at work and never leaves early. This could be a sign that he uses drugs to get high while on the job.

Extreme Employee Absenteeism

One of the most common signs that an employee is using drugs in the workplace is his increased tendency to call in sick. If you notice that someone has suddenly become more absent than usual, this may be your first clue that they abuse drugs. If you find out, for example, that he is always missing on Mondays or Fridays, it’s time to start asking some questions. According to experts, drug users tend to abuse substances on weekends every once in a while. They might also want to avoid work altogether due to feelings of shame or fear of being caught. Substance abusers often feel bad about their actions and suffer from a lack of sleep. This makes them tired during work hours but wide awake at night when they have more freedom. This is why it’s best to conduct drug tests while your employees work through the night.

Hazing Suspicion at the Workplace

Finally, one of the quickest ways to detect drug abuse is hazing suspicion. Drug abusers generally tend to stick together in order not to get caught, so if you’ve noticed sudden changes in work dynamics, there may be something off about your new hires. If you have new employees who are nervous and paranoid or making mistakes because of their lack of experience, this might be a sign that they are receiving hazing from other workers. As well, pay close attention to any unusual friendships among co-workers; if they suddenly stop socializing with everyone else and start sticking around specific individuals only, then you might want to dig deeper into that as well.

Glassy Eyes and Slurred Speech

If the person you suspect of drug abuse starts to exhibit some particular symptoms, such as glassy eyes and slurred speech, it might be time to consider doing a more thorough check. If they can’t even get simple words out correctly, or if they hold their head in particular ways while speaking with you, your suspicions may be correct, and something is off about them. However, keep in mind that these signs could also indicate other sleep deprivation or lack of hydration. Try to engage with them before taking any action. As well, please pay attention to how often they blink; depending on the situation at hand, this might be either a sign of tiredness or use. If you can notice their bloodshot eyes during work hours, they may be abusing drugs.

Co-workers Who Report Drug Use

One of the best ways to detect drug abuse is through other employees. If someone has noticed something odd about their colleague, they might want to report it to you, so you know what to do next. Some signs include finding paraphernalia at work or witnessing certain behaviors in private areas of the workplace, such as restrooms and break rooms. Other co-workers might notice that he constantly looks disoriented or slurred speech, even during casual conversations. It would help if you also kept an eye out for coworkers who brag about substance abuse because it’s common for addicts to share information about where and how much they use in order not to leave evidence behind. If someone is constantly talking about their drug use in the workplace, this might signify that they are trying to recruit new members into their circle of abusers.

As you can see, there are many ways to detect drug abuse in the workplace. You don’t necessarily need to test for drugs all the time because some users might abstain from using them while at work. However, if you have suspicions about a co-worker or new hire, it’s best to speak with them directly, so they know what’s expected of them if they want their job. If they are willing to submit themselves to testing regularly, then that’s great. If not, then you’ll probably have no other choice but to let them go for the benefit of your company and your other employees’ safety.