Substance Abuse Awareness in the Workplace Drug and Alcohol Training For Employees
- Content: Substance Abuse Awareness
- Version: Supervisor & Employee
- Course Length: 1 Hour
- Languages Available: English
- Price: $19.99 (single user e-learning enrollment)
To assist employers and employees in maintaining a safe workplace, Compliance Training Group offers Substance Abuse in the Workplace training. Workplace substance abuse affects all businesses, regardless of size or industry. Of the 12.3 million American adults who are current illicit drug users, 9.4 million (77 percent) are employed.
Our one-hour Substance Abuse Workplace Training module covers drug and alcohol training for employees, use of illicit drugs, misuse of prescription drugs, and identifying the symptoms of an employee working under the influence or impaired. The course includes substance abuse training to promote awareness and safety in the workplace.
Learning Objectives - Substance Abuse Awareness
- Define the meaning of drug abuse and its related terms
- Explain the impact on the workplace of drugs and the impaired employee
- List the most commonly used and abused drugs
- Recognize the symptoms and behaviors produced by drug-impaired employees
- Explain appropriate intervention steps to follow when confronted with a drug-crisis employee
- Describe company policy and prevention strategies
- Identify available resources to help with substance abuse
Our Workplace Substance Abuse Awareness Training also covers:
- Early intervention – Learn how to identify the symptoms of an employee while they are under the influence of substance abuse in the workplace
- Behavioral Impact – Carelessness and risk taking, declining performance, failure to follow rules, policies, and safety procedures.
- Physical Changes – Some stimulants like methamphetamine lead to facial sores, rotting teeth, weight loss, tremors, and a distinctive odor (uric acid).
- The Importance of a Substance Abuse Policy – The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires some Federal contractors and all Federal grantees to agree to provide drug-free workplaces as a precondition of receiving contracts or grants from Federal agencies. Having a strong policy in place can also aid in substance abuse prevention.
- Documenting problems of potential substance abuse – there are Legal Obligations to the Employer when substance abuse occurs on Company property or injuries occur during a workplace accident. Review the major areas of statutory and civil liabilities that may require employers to take action to prevent abuse and maintain a drug-free workplace.
- Preventative Measures – A successful prevention program relies on pre-employment drug screening, criminal record screening, well-communicated policies with signage in common areas like the break room, and using references and verification of previous employment.
What is substance abuse in the workplace?
Substance abuse is the use of a substance for something other than its intended medical or social purpose. Abuse results in an impaired physical and mental condition and can also cause a deceptive state of euphoria, or a false sense of well-being. Abuse can often easily lead to addiction and cause dependency that can be physical, mental or both. In addition, substance abuse can create personal, family, and financial problems beyond the abuser’s control. All controlled substances have abuse potential. Some drugs alleviate pain, anxiety, or depression. Some induce sleep. Some energize the user.
There are five categories of drugs:
- Narcotics
- Depressants
- Stimulants
- Hallucinogens
- Anabolic Steroids
The Drug Enforcement Administration is the federal agency that is responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States. The DEA organized all controlled substances in a Schedule which groups substances based on their potential for abuse, their legitimate medical use, and whether the substance will lead to psychological or physical dependence.
For a full list of all controlled substances visit: DEA.gov
How does substance abuse affect employers?
People who abuse alcohol or drugs tend to neglect nutrition, sleep and other basic health needs. This leads to:
- Increased absenteeism and tardiness
- Increased use of sick time
- Decreased job performance
Employees who come to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be physically and mentally impaired while on the job. As a result they lack motivation to perform at capacity and also present a major safety risk when operating equipment. This leads to:
- Working slower
- Increased errors
- Decreased morale
- Industrial Accidents/Workplace injuries
Did You Know?
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has an Employee Assistance Program that assists employees with substance abuse problems. This includes:
- Counseling: The EAP will provide up to six counseling sessions with a Licensed Mental Health Professional in your geographic area. If the problem is not resolvable in that time frame, or if specialized services are needed, an appropriate referral will be made.
- Training: Each year, the EAP provides over 200 prevention and education workshops throughout the DEA. Our programs are designed to help prevent problems before they start, and to resolve early-stage problems before they get larger. Topics include EAP Orientation, Substance Misuse, Stress Management and 28 more.
- Assistance for Managers: Unlimited, first-person consultations are available to all DEA Managers for personal and workplace issues from either their local Area Clinicians or the EAP staff at DEA Headquarters.
- Emergency Intervention: The EAP maintains a 24-hour, Toll-Free HelpLine that provides emergency consultation any time of the day or night. The EAP’s Trauma Team responds to all operational traumatic incidents and is available to all DEA Employees and families to support them through personal traumas. Victims of Operational Traumas receive mandatory Clinical Briefings from an EAP Clinician within 48 hours of an incident.
Legal Considerations
There are no requirements for the majority of private employers to maintain a drug-free workplace policy. However, there are several requirements for federal contractors and grantees to adhere to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.
In addition to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, there are several federal statutes that give legal protections to certain classes of employees.
Some federal agencies provide guidelines for drug and alcohol training for employees including the Federal Transit Administration. They provide a monthly newsletter with updates. Here are the FTA’s most recent updates on its drug and alcohol program in January, 2023.
Statues include:
These statutes set specific limits on how far an employer can investigate and establish consequences for employee drug use.
FAQ for Substance Abuse Awareness Training
Substance Abuse Awareness training educates employees on the dangers of substance misuse, recognizing signs of abuse, and how to respond appropriately in the workplace. It aims to promote a drug-free environment and reduce risks associated with substance use.
This training helps prevent workplace accidents and injuries, improves productivity and supports a healthier work environment. It ensures that employees understand company policies on drug and alcohol use and can identify potential substance-related issues.
In some industries, particularly those involving safety-sensitive positions (e.g., transportation, construction), this training may be required by law. Even if not mandatory, many organizations implement it to promote health, safety, and compliance.
The training covers topics such as the effects of drugs and alcohol on the body, recognizing signs of substance abuse, workplace policies, and steps to take if an employee is suspected of substance abuse. It may also include information on support and resources.
Legal requirements vary by industry and jurisdiction. For certain industries, such as DOT-regulated companies, training is mandated. Organizations should ensure that their training complies with federal, state, and local regulations regarding substance abuse.
Implementing this training involves selecting a comprehensive course that covers relevant laws, company policies, and the effects of substance abuse. It should be part of an overall safety and wellness program, with regular refreshers to keep employees informed.
Benefits include reduced workplace accidents, improved employee health and safety, better compliance with legal requirements, and a more supportive work environment for those struggling with substance abuse. It also helps protect the company from liability.
Training teaches employees and supervisors to recognize common signs of substance abuse, such as changes in behavior, appearance, or work performance. It also covers how to approach the situation sensitively and in line with company policies.
While annual training is standard in many organizations, particularly high-risk industries, the frequency can vary based on legal requirements or company policy. Regular refresher courses ensure that employees stay aware of the dangers of substance misuse.
If you suspect substance abuse, follow company procedures, which may involve reporting the issue to HR, offering support, or arranging for an assessment. Training provides guidance on handling these situations sensitively and in compliance with the law.
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