NIADA Launch of QUB Survey – Drug and Alcohol Use in the Workplace

The use of drugs and/or alcohol has been acknowledged as a serious workplace issue. Not only can problematic use lead to significant health problems but the influence of drugs or alcohol in the workplace may lead an individual to take unnecessary risks or put others at risk causing significant health and safety issues. It is not only illegal drugs that precipitate concerns at work; misuse of prescription drugs and alcohol can also cause problems for some individuals. An employee who works under the influence of substances, either as overtly intoxicated or experiencing prolonged effects from the ‘night before’ may demonstrate impaired performance and have a negative impact on colleagues, service users and customers. The link between employee substance use and concomitant problems in the workplace is multi directional. Research shows that employees in some industries are more likely to become heavy or dependent drinkers (WHO, 2013).