If you work in a large company or small corporation, chances are you know someone who has a drug problem. You may even be one of those people.
But this might not be the only thing that can affect your performance and relationships at work.
In fact, it is possible to suffer from poor mental health while still maintaining complete sobriety.
While this is not an article about addiction itself, it does explore how drug use can exacerbate symptoms of other conditions like anxiety and depression, which can cause difficulties for anyone trying to get their job done at work effectively.
The link between poor mental health and drug use
It is a vicious cycle. Poor mental health can lead to drug use, and the use of drugs only serves to exacerbate an already existing problem. People who already struggle with depression or anxiety are more likely to get opioid prescriptions that can lead to dependence.
People with depression are almost 4 times more likely to misuse opioids.
If you are struggling with a mental health issue, it’s important that you receive treatment and support from friends, family members, and loved ones. If you notice someone around you who may be suffering from poor mental health, take the time to reach out in whatever way feels comfortable for both parties involved.
The workplace can exacerbate stress or anxiety
You may have dealt with your fair share of workplace stress, and it’s likely that you know someone who has experienced the same. A stressful workplace can breed anxiety and can cause those who are already dealing with mental health issues to become more susceptible to substance abuse.
If your company is struggling with poor mental health among its employees, there are a few things that you can do. The first step is recognizing the problem; if you’re unsure whether it exists in an area of your business, asking people at random could be helpful. You might find out that one employee is struggling more than others — and if so, this gives you an opportunity to intervene before their problems begin hurting productivity or morale at work.
Health risks of drug use at work
Drug use can affect every aspect of your life, including your work.
- Drug use can result in health problems such as infections, heart disease, and stroke.
- Workplace impairment: Even small amounts of drugs can make you slow or careless at work. You may not be able to concentrate on the task at hand because you’re thinking about when and where the next dose of drugs is coming from (as well as how much it will cost).
- Relationship issues: Drugs are often used to cope with personal problems like stress, anger, or depression. However, using substances does not solve these issues; instead, it only makes them worse over time. This can lead to problems between yourself, family members, co-workers, and employers.
The difficulties of recovering from dual diagnosis
If you feel like drug addiction and poor mental health are affecting your life, it’s important to get help. The sooner you can get help for both problems, the better. If possible, seek professional help from someone who has experience in dual diagnosis.
A professional who is experienced in dual diagnosis will understand how the two issues interact with each other and will be able to provide a comprehensive treatment plan that considers all aspects of your situation. Perhaps most importantly, an expert will be able to give you a sense of hope — even if things seem dire now, recovery is possible!
Poor mental health, work pressure, and other problems promote escapism through drug consumption
When the pressures of the workplace get to you and your mental health starts to suffer, it’s easy to seek relief from drugs.
The problem is that poor mental health, work pressure, and other problems promote escapism through drug consumption. This can lead to a vicious cycle: Poor mental health leads to drug use which leads to poorer mental health which leads to more drug use.
It’s important for employers to take note of this cycle so they can help their employees stay healthy and productive at work.
How mental illness and substance use problems affect you at work
According to the American Psychological Association, 81% of working Americans want to work for a company that provides support for mental health concerns. This can be as simple as linking with rehab centers like Ascendant right in your employee handbook.
The effects of mental illness and drug abuse on the workplace are more pronounced than you may think. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), employees with mental health issues miss an average of 8.7 days per year due to their condition, while those with substance use problems miss an average of 11.5 days annually. This translates into a significant loss in productivity. In some cases, even greater losses happen because of accidents occuring at work due to poor decision-making or physical impairment from substance abuse.
While it’s well-established that there is no single approach for managing employee wellness programs at your company, one thing’s for certain: you can’t afford not to have one!
It’s been shown time and again that investing in employee well-being programs like access to mental health services can help reduce absenteeism rates by 50% or more.
In fact, many companies report they’ve seen benefits such as improved morale among staff members who feel supported by their employers during times when they’re struggling emotionally or mentally.
Conclusion
If you are struggling with mental health and drug abuse, it’s important to seek help. You don’t have to go through this alone.
A caring and supportive network of friends and family can make all the difference in your recovery journey. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed at work or experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, then work with professionals who can help diagnose these problems, so they don’t interfere with your ability to function as an employee or employer.
