DRUG AND ALCOHOL AWARENESS FOR MANAGERS Presented by Cigna Employee Assistance Program
SEMINAR GOALS Understand the problems associated with substance abuse in the workplace Learn the signs and symptoms of substance abuse Discuss ways to respond to employee substance abuse Identify resources available to you to help employees Know the benefits of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 2
IMPACT ON THE WORKPLACE How do drugs and alcohol affect the workplace? Of the 20.4 million adults with substance abuse or dependence, 12.3 million (60.4%) are employed full-time Alcoholism is estimated to cost employers $81 billion per year in lost productivity Up to 40% of workplace deaths and 47% of injuries can be linked to alcohol Between 10% and 20% of workers who die on the job test positive for alcohol or drugs Alcohol and drug abusers have higher job turnover and absenteeism than non-abusers (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008) Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 3
BENEFITS OF A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE Fewer accidents Fewer disciplinary actions Reduced losses due to absenteeism, theft and fraud Improved employee morale and productivity Lower costs due to fewer errors Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 4
MAIN GROUPS OF COMMONLY USED DRUGS Depressants Narcotics (or Opiates) Stimulants Hallucinogens Designer Drugs Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 5
STAGES OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE 1. Use or experimentation 2. Recreational use 3. Abuse 4. Dependence or addiction Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 6 6
IS SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE A DISEASE? The disease concept means that substance dependence is: Primary Predictable Progressive Chronic Potentially fatal, or terminal Treatable Alcoholism and drug addiction meet American Medical Association criteria to be considered a disease. Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 7 7
Become part of the solution Pay attention to warning signs in safety and performance Document your observations Hold employees accountable for their actions Avoid enabling Consult your HR department Call the EAP Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 8 8
POSSIBLE INDICATORS OF SUBSTANCE USE Flushed face; bloodshot or glazed-over eyes Moody, irritable, drowsy, depressed or confused behavior Lack of inhibition (swearing, risk-taking, etc.) Performance problems Sleepy or slow reactions Exaggerated behavior Emotional swings Agitation Aggression Alcohol-like odor on breath Lack of coordination Thick, slurred speech Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 9 9
POLL What do you consider to be most important in determining reasonable suspicion of substance use? Documenting behavior Getting additional perspectives Consultation with HR Consultation with the EAP Questioning the employee Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 10
RESPONDING TO REASONABLE SUSPICION If you suspect a substance use problem: Consult with your HR department Focus on the employee s performance and observable behavior Document performance issues and behaviors If you suspect the employee is under the influence at work: Check your company policy regarding testing an employee Arrange transportation for the employee Call the EAP for a management consultation Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 11 10
DECIDING TO TEST FOR REASONABLE SUSPICION The decision to test for drugs and alcohol usually follows an accumulation of events - keep objective records of your observations Observations must be: - Specific and clearly stated - Based on appearance, behavior, speech, and/or body odor of the employee Be familiar with the signs of alcohol and drug use, and their effects on workplace performance Know your employees skills, abilities, personalities, and usual performance so that you can recognize changes Consult your HR regarding policies and procedures Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 12 11
COMMUNICATION Talking with the employee about reasonable suspicion Consult with your HR manager about your concerns Tell the employee that you are concerned about the specific behavior or physical appearance you have observed Ask the employee to explain what you have observed Remove the employee from duty Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 13 13 12
What is Enabling? When someone (usually unintentionally) helps a person with a drug/alcohol problem to continue their use Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 14 11 13
EXAMPLES OF ENABLING IN THE WORKPLACE Denial of or ignoring their problem Taking on some of the employee s work Covering up or making excuses Avoiding or non-constructive confrontation Failure to report suspected use Enabling can prevent a person from getting life-saving help. Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 15 14
AVOID COMMON MISTAKES Never diagnose or accuse an employee of drug or alcohol use Never discuss your suspicions with unauthorized persons Do not make assumptions, either verbally or in writing, regarding your suspicions of drug or alcohol use Don t focus on getting a confession of drug or alcohol use Never moralize, counsel, lecture, or psychoanalyze Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 16 15
AVOID COMMON MISTAKES Never become angry when confronting an employee about performance issues Don t make threats Never use the suspicion of drug or alcohol use as a reason to discipline those suspected more harshly than others for the same behavior Never allow impaired employees to operate vehicles or perform safety-sensitive functions Never overlook a problem or fail to act Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 17 16
TIPS FOR SPEAKING WITH YOUR EMPLOYEE Validate the relationship Clearly state the problem Explain the consequences of the problem State the changes required in specific terms with timeframes State the consequences of failing to meet the expectation or outcomes Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 18 17
TYPES OF HELP AVAILABLE Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Web-based resources and assessment tools Support groups (12 Step AA, NA, Al-Anon) Doctors, counselors, clinical social workers Inpatient treatment for detoxification Intensive outpatient programs Inpatient/residential programs Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 19 18
HOW CAN THE EAP HELP? Consultation and referral services Management consultations Informal management referrals Formal management referrals Continuation of employment referral Fitness for Duty evaluation (fee-for-service) Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 20 19
BENEFITS OF THE EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) Face to face sessions Confidential Prepaid Unlimited telephonic consultation Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Household benefit Work/Life support such as eldercare, childcare and pet care Financial services Legal services Benefits vary by employer. Please check with your HR for your specific EAP benefits. Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 21 20
REFERENCES About.com. (2003). How to Stop Enabling an Alcoholic. Retrieved from http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/dyna/ht/enabling.htm Foundation for a Drug Free World. (n.d.). Depressants. Retrieved from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/depressants.html Forbes. (2012). Spice and K2 vs. Bath Salts : The Other Designer Drug Scare. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/melaniehaiken/2012/06/13/spice-vs-bath-salts-the-other-designer-drug-scare/ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings. Retrieved from http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k7nsduh/2k7results.cfm Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 22 21
"Cigna is a registered service mark and the Tree of Life logo and GO YOU are service marks of Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc., licensed for use by Cigna Corporation and its operating subsidiaries. All products and services are provided by or through such operating subsidiaries and not by Cigna Corporation. Such operating subsidiaries include Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna Behavioral Health, Inc., and HMO or service company subsidiaries of Cigna Health Corporation. All models are used for illustrative purposes only. 832816a 08/12 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. Use and distribution limited solely to authorized personnel. 2012 Cigna Some content provided under license. 23 22