Month: November 2021

Sometimes, it might be difficult to trace the real reason why productivity and performance drop in the workplace. This is why employers need to be on their toes to find out what is affecting their employees.  

Usually, one of the factors that prevent the workplace from meeting their targets and achieving great feats is when addiction is in play among some employees.

From alcohol addiction to drug addiction, gambling addiction, internet addiction, shopping addiction, and a host of others, addicted employees are likely to lose focus at work which affects their input.

If you are an employer and you are looking to confirm if your employee is addicted or not, here are some telltale signs to help you.

• Increased absence at work

An addicted employee would gradually begin to lose interest at work. This is because they are investing more time in their addiction than work. Probably, the only reason why they would show up at work is because of their salary or wages.

Those of them who are addicted to substances like alcohol and drugs would try to keep coming to work because they need money to fuel their addiction.

• A decline in work performance

It would be difficult for an addicted employee to perform optimally. First off, their mind is divided so it is difficult for them to think straight. Some of them begin by missing deadlines and not meeting targets because they cannot concentrate.

Also, they will burn out easily because they are spending a huge chunk of time on their addiction. If they have their way, they can carry out their addictive habits at the workplace.

• Evident physical health problems

Addiction becomes obvious in an individual’s appearance especially if it has been going on for a long time.

You will notice some signs like:

• Runny nose
• Red eyeballs
• Extreme weight gain or weight loss
• Skin discoloration
• Dozing off at work
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• A decline in hygiene evident in their physical appearance
• Unexplainable and strange behavior at work
• Going off tangent during crucial discussions

With proper treatment in place, people don’t have to be addicted forever. In addiction treatment, each individual is taught how to manage triggers that might pop up after addiction treatment.

Therefore, with proper management and awareness, you can keep your sobriety forever.  

Here is a walkthrough on some steps that help you avoid addiction triggers:

Identify your triggers

It is important to mention that each person has a unique set of triggers that can induce addiction.

You need to find out what your triggers are so that you can avoid them. When you are in addiction treatment, learning to identify your triggers is one of the things you will learn.

Once these triggers are identified, you can take actionable steps to keep them at a good distance.

Prevent stress

One of the common addiction triggers is stress. Many people don’t know how to handle the stress that they face from work, home, etc.

When stress begins to build up in your body and is not handled the right way, it can make you resort to addiction.

Hence, it is important to learn to know when stress is getting too much, and how to reduce it.

Seek help

Beyond willpower and making some resolutions, you need external help to avoid addiction triggers.

This is where addiction programs come in. With these programs, you will learn coping strategies that will help you keep these triggers at bay.

Another source of help is from trusted family, friends, and acquaintances. You need a healthy support system to constantly motivate you that you can keep addiction at bay.

Develop healthy habits

People who don’t lead healthy lives are likely to give in to addiction triggers. It is important to watch the food you eat, and what you drink. In addition, spend more time exercising and sleeping well to boost your body’s immune system, and also to avoid addiction triggers.