Alcohol in the Work Place

Loss of productivity and poor performance

When companies around the UK were surveyed for how alcohol affected their business these were the main items that came up:

• Lateness and absenteeism
• Safety concerns
• Effect on team morale and employee relations
• Bad behaviour or poor discipline
• Adverse effects on company image and customer relations

In order to strengthen your company and help all employees on an individual basis, it is important to take a look at how much alcohol really is being consumed and the effects that this may be having at work.

Facts about Alcohol

Alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream within a few minutes of being drunk and carried to all parts of the body including the brain. The concentration of alcohol in the body varies depending on many factors including, how much you have drunk, your size and weight, whether you have eaten and so on.

It takes a healthy liver about 1 hour to break down and remove 1 unit of alcohol. A unit is the equivalent of 10 ml of pure alcohol. This would be the equivalent of half a pint of beer, a normal single measure of spirits or a small glass of wine.

Contrary to popular belief things like black coffee, cold showers and fresh air are not going to sober you up. Though you may feel a little better. Sobering up fully, simply relies on the amount of time that your liver has to remove the alcohol from your body.

For this reason, having a few drinks at lunch will mean that you, in fact, will have that alcohol in your system for most of the afternoon, or drinking very heavily at night would mean that you could still be affected while driving in the morning.

Why is this is so important to your business?

Alcohol is estimated to cause 3-5% of all absences from work; about 8 to 14 million lost working days in the UK each year.

There are many different effects that alcohol consumption can cause in an office, some examples of these are: reduced work performance, damaged customer relations, or resentment among employees who have to ‘carry’ colleagues whose work declines because of drinking.

We do not have the precise figures on the number of workplace accidents caused or related to alcohol, but alcohol is known to affect judgement and physical co-ordination. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol before or while carrying out work that is ‘safety sensitive’ such as driving or operating machinery, will increase the risk of an accident.

What can you do about it?

There is a simple process that you can undertake to decide on policies for your staff. Problems may appear from a variety of sources, such as drinking during working hours, drinking in breaks or just before work, regular heavy drinking or getting drunk outside of work hours.

Follow these simple steps as a guide:

1. Find out if there is an existing problem.

2. Make a list of who you need to consult, this can be staff, managers or outside advisers, and consult them as necessary.

3. Decide how your company expects employees to limit their drinking. Are they expected to drink when out with clients, can they drink on lunch breaks, if so how much would be acceptable and so on?

4. Consider how you can make sure that if an employee does have an alcohol problem, this is noticed and help is made available. It is vital that help is tried before any disciplinary action is taken.

5. Decide at what point, and in what circumstances you will treat an employee’s drinking as a matter of discipline rather than a health problem.

6. Think about how you will let your workforce know about company policy regarding alcohol. It is advised at this point, to introduce a formal written alcohol policy.

7. Find out if any of your managers or other staff need more information or training. If so, get it arranged and carried out.

8. Consider providing staff with general information about alcohol and health.

9. Lastly, you can regularly review all of these steps to ensure that they are correct, working for your company and being followed.

Summary

Having a clear and workable alcohol policy in place will benefit not only your company but all the individuals working for you too. Allowing guidelines to be followed, accidents avoided and help taken when needed.

These statistics and guidelines were based on the Health and Safety Executive ‘Don’t mix it, a guide for employers on alcohol at work.’

If you would like any further advice on alcohol at work or rehabilitating an alcohol, please call us on 

00800 802 1375

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Alcoholism Substance Abuse and Work

British Adults Use Plenty of Drugs
but Much Smaller Number are Addicted

According to a new survey published by The Guardian, nearly one in three British adults has used drugs but not nearly as many consider they have a problem with drugs. Only about 13% of those surveyed think they have ever had a problem with drugs. That equates to about two million people.

In most countries, more men than women use drugs. But in Britain, the numbers are nearly equal. And those using drugs are older than drug users in other countries. In Britain, the age group most frequently using drugs is 35 to 44. Compare that to the ages of the biggest users in the U.S. – young adults aged 18 to 24.

The British preference for stimulants showed up in this survey. More than one-third of British drug users had used amphetamines and slightly less had used cocaine. Heroin is used by fewer people but of course is a riskier drug to use because of the potential for overdose. Even with a smaller pool of users, the number of people succumbing to the drug is growing by leaps and bounds. Since 1993, this number has almost tripled, reaching 2,248 in 2014.

Scotland Suffers Even Higher Rates of Drug Abuse

Scotland’s problems are even more pronounced than those of Britain. In 2014, a startling photograph summed up the country’s growing heroin problem. A young man and woman in Dundee who had lowered their jeans so they could inject heroin passed out before they could even let go of their needles. Fortunately, they were taken to the hospital and revived. The photograph served as a wake-up call to the entire country.

Scotland also struggles with abuse of synthetic drugs. In a short time period, drug squad officers seized more than 250 different types of these drugs, many of the type referred to as “bath salts.” The manufacturers of these drugs continually modify their formulas so as to circumvent laws that try to keep these drugs out of users’ hands so there’s an ever-increasing number of drugs on the illicit market.

Narconon Drug Rehabilitation in the UK

The UK is under assault by drug dealers of all types. Only an effective rehabilitation helps individuals put a dangerous, drug-using life behind them. For fifty years in locations all around the world, the Narconon drug rehabilitation programme has been helping bring about this change. Now, from an East Sussex location, Narconon offers this restorative programme to all UK residents.

Narconon UK is a place where those who are addicted are helped to overcome the cravings that repeatedly drive them back to more drugs. That healing is accomplished without the use of other addictive substances like methadone. Instead, healthy methods like thorough sauna-based detoxification, an education in sober living skills and a unique method of recovering from past trauma are used.

It takes longer than 30 days to bring about a lasting recovery from an addiction that could have lasted decades. At Narconon UK, each person progresses to sobriety at their own rate. What is important is that the skills to guide one’s life down a sober path are learned.

In this beautiful country manor, someone you care about can find a new and lasting sober life. Call Narconon UK to learn more about this healthy alternative to drug-based treatment programmes.

If you need help or advise on talking to your loved one, 

then call us on

00800 802 1375

Visit Narconon United Kingdom's website

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/drug-deaths-statistics-highest-ever-recorded-heroin-crack-cocaine-ecstasy-a7162766.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/11823685/Scottish-drug-deaths-reach-record-levels.html

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/crime/picture-shocked-nation-experts-say-4132482

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The Future Was a Black Hole 
until the New Life Detox

“I have found that during Narconon’s New Life Detoxification step, I have been thinking about all the things I can do in the future to make mine and my family’s lives better.

While I do not want to forget the past, I do not want to dwell on it either. I have taken what I can from it and am looking forward to the many options I have. 

Before, I allowed my worries of how things would or could turn out control me, and my emotions; the future was a black hole. 

Now it is full of hope, faith and love, and more opportunities than I could ever have imagined before.“  E.R.

If your family needs help call Narconon today on

00800 802 1375
Visit Narconon United Kingdom's website

The New Life Detox:
An Amazing Experience!

A student’s joy with the successful outcome of our comprehensive New Life Detoxification.
“The New Life Detoxification is really an amazing experience where oneprogressively cleans the entire body system, giving an increased feeling of improvement in many aspects of body and mind performance—until a point where one really feels reborn for a new world full of opportunities and future.”   G.C. Call today to discuss the full Narconon Programme and how it may help you or a loved one overcome addiction.

00800 802 1375

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How to Spot an Alcoholic?

Alcohol can seem so safe at first—everyone drinks, it's legal, it's not really a drug... until it is out of hand, and someone you know is addicted. Then is the time you really have to face the effects of alcohol abuse.

Here are some questions that you can ask yourself to determine the true level of the problem.

• Can the person control his (or her) drinking?
• If there is alcohol available can he make the choice to not drink and stick to it?
• Can he stop drinking while there is still alcohol in the bottle, glass or case?
• Is he always finding a reason or excuse to drink?
• Does he drink regularly on his own?
• Does he hide or deny the amount that he drinks?
• Have the costs related to drinking started getting out of control?
• Is he drinking in dangerous situations like driving or while taking prescription medication?
• Does the drinking continue despite things like legal problems or relationship issues?
• Is he neglecting his responsibilities?
• If you confront him on the problem, does he deny it, or even get angry with you?
• Does he deny the situation and refuse to look at change or solutions?
• Are there health problems being caused from the quantity of alcohol consumption?

Depending on how many of these were affirmative you can see how severe the situation really is. Alcoholism can creep up on someone, maybe it started socially but later got out of control. Because alcohol is a legal drug people often don't think that there is a problem until it is too late. Unfortunately like any addiction, it can ruin lives, and not only of the alcoholic themselves.

If the answer was yes to a only few of these, then don't wait for it to worsen but take effective action immediately, while the person is more able to confront the situation.

If you need advice with an alcoholic friend or family member, contact us to see how we can help.

 0800 802 1375

Visit Narconon United Kingdom website

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Student Experiences “A Feeling That Was Better Than A Drug,” During Narconon’s Drug-Free Withdrawal

Withdrawal is often the most feared stage of getting off drugs. Withdrawal symptoms can be any combination of the following: insomnia, restlessness, irritability, muscle cramps and twitches, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, depression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, shakiness, and headaches.

At Narconon we use simple yet precise and effective techniques, along with a specialised Nutritional programme that helps relieve the symptoms associated with drug or alcohol withdrawal. 

Here is what one student said about his Narconon Drug-Free Withdrawal:

“I wanted to come to Narconon to get off drugs because I had no other place to go. I couldn’t do it on my own. I did try, and I just kept going back. My girlfriend said I was making her ill and my dad nearly had a nervous breakdown. I was ringing loads of rehabs, and never really followed it through. And then Narconon rang me back. I said I need you to get me there today.

The first night I didn’t want to be there. And then I got to sleep—I slept right through to the next day. I never do this normally because my mind is never settled. But then I got to sleep. And then I slept most of the day too. Then I got more of my appetite back and every time I felt low, I got an assist and Cal-Mag (calcium and magnesium drink). That calmed me down and made me want to sleep and relax. This is a new feeling for me. It took my mind off the emotion. I feel this is an achievement for myself.

The techniques from the staff, and how they are—like how they talk to me—really helped me. Objectives really did help and give me a new sensation in my body. One of the objectives gave me a feeling that was better than a drug, a feeling it was unbelievable. It’s just unbelievable.”

L.H.

At Narconon we do not use any substitute drugs to get someone off drugs. Many of our students say their drug-free withdrawal was nowhere near as bad as they thought it was going to be.

If you want to get off drugs but are in fear of withdrawal, contact us to discuss your own personal case and how the Narconon programme could help.

Get Help!

00800 802 1375

The Problem of Opioid Painkiller Addiction

When you think of people addicted to opium you may think of the illicit drug heroin. However, as many prescription painkillers and even over-the-counter painkillers containing opium, this is far from the only problem.

Often when people start out on painkillers they may not realise that it is in fact opium-based or, though aware of it, are following the doctor's recommendations and don't think further on it—until it is too late and the addiction has fully set in.

Here in the UK, the problem is starting to reach crisis proportions. Here are some statistic from Opioid painkiller dependency - An overview: a report written for the All-Party Parliamentary Group onPrescribed Medicine Dependency by Harry Shapiro (Drug Information and Policy Analyst).

• In 2012, some ten million people in the UK were prescribed an opioid painkiller, more than double the next nearest EU country, which is France at four million.
• In 2013, the UK had the highest sales of morphine and opiates like codeine, by volume, than any other country in the EU.
• In 2011, Northern Ireland had the highest annual prevalence of prescription opioid use in the world.
• Just in England, the number of opioid prescriptions rose from around 3 million in 1991 to 23 million by 2014.

One of the reasons we, in the UK, are starting to particularly worry about these statistics is we have the USA to look at as an example of what happens when it gets to epidemic proportions. Looking at overdose and mortality figures in the US is quite startling. The figures in the UK are nothing as dramatic but worrying trends can be seen.The problem of prescription drug addiction has not been spoken of extensively, but these statistics give some idea of the prevalence of opium drug use in our society.

• In the USA in 2010 there were 16,500 deaths from opium painkillers. This is more than double the figure from 2002 and more than twice the number of deaths caused by cocaine and heroin combined!
• In the UK in 2013 there were 757 deaths from opium painkillers, which is a 30% rise from 2012.

Here is a more specific example using the opiate painkiller Tramadol here in the UK.

• In 1996 only one death from Tramadol, in 2011 that had risen to 154 and by 2014 it had reached 240.

So, you can see why now is the time that we have to do something about it. There are variations in who you see addicted to these opiate painkillers. One is the respectable working family man/woman who is following the GP instructions as a handling against some chronic pain. The second are those using it for recreational purposes.

There are a few important factors that need to be looked into here.

• The quantity of prescriptions being given out.
• Whether or not opium-based drugs should be able to be bought over the counter.
• What other solutions are out there, to help people looking to these drugs as the answer.
• How to help those already addicted.

Some ideas of what you can do about it,directly 

• Start increasing awareness of this problem. Do things like circulating this article and other related pieces, talking to your friends and family about it is a good start. If you want to do more you can try things like getting your local community centres together or working with a local newspaper to get it known about.
• Start a petition calling for stricter guidelines on over-the-counter medication and prescriptions. 
• Or if you know people actually within the industry then try to make some changes directly there.

Drugs are always used as a solution for some unwanted life condition, whether chronic pain or for recreational purposes—maybe even boredom or stress. If you know anyone in this situation but not yet addicted, help them to look at what other solutions there are. For pain, maybe some alternative remedies. For boredom or stress, maybe help them look at what lifestyle changes can be made so that life itself can be more enjoyable without drugs as the solution.

If you know someone already addicted then look for a good drug rehabilitation centre. I am writing from Narconon which is a drug rehabilitation centre you can check out here: Narcononuk United Kingdom

It is time that opium painkillers are widely known for what they truly are, and the devastating affects that addiction from them can cause.

00800 802 1375

Narconon United Kingdom - Drug Education and Rehabilitation.

It is a Drug and Alcohol free rehabilitation program

Drugs in the Work Place

Drug use affects all parts of life and that most definitely includes the workplace.

For each individual, a job is vital not only for keeping busy and active but for the means to live and support a family. For executives having happy and productive staff is vital to keeping the company running and viable.

Drug use has an affect on all of these things. Often it comes from not liking your job, not feeling challenged or feeling bored. Alternately or on the other side of the coin it can be from stress, or an unpleasant boss or work environment.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence gives some statistics and findings on just how severe the effects of drugs are on the workplace. A couple of stronger examples are these:

• Workers with alcohol problems were 2.7 times more likely than workers without drinking problems to have injury-related absences.
• One-fifth of workers and managers across a wide range of industries and company sizes report that a co-worker’s on- or off-the-job drinking jeopardized their own productivity and safety.

The most common affects are not as severe as this. They often include showing up late, missing a high number of days of work, doing work slowly or with mistakes. This of course is often the precursor of worse things to come.

Often drugs or alcohol is used as a solution to stress at work or a way to relax on the weekend. Unfortunately, this doesn't usually stay on the weekend and it will start to impinge on the work days too. It can often lead to more drugs too. What started as pot to relax on the weekends leads to cocaine to wake up during the week and so the vicious cycle goes.

If you believe you or a colleague or employee may be in need of help call us and see what we can do to help you  
0800 802 1375 

Contact Us Now!

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