When I was working in a coat factory many years ago as a collar setter, I noticed some changes in a friend of mine. She always was a fast mover and talker but she was now moving and talking at the speed of light. She seemed twitchy some days and bleary eyed the next. Sometimes she got the bundles of coats that needed collars into the wrong bin and would just laugh about it and move them where they were supposed to be. She came in late or just made it in by the skin of her teeth. She would miss work or spend a good deal of time taking breaks. When I asked her what was going on, she told me nothing. However, I watched her over the next week and saw her make a lot of stops at one girl’s machine who sold “black widows.” This was a type of diet pill when taken in excess caused almost a state of mania. My friend was hooked on them, and no matter how many of her friends talked to her about it, she wouldn’t give them up. Unfortunately, she did progress to other more potent drugs and lost her job.
Do you think your coworker has a problem with addiction? You do want to be sure that the person just isn’t stressed out, has a psychiatric or medical problem or maybe has some personal issues but what can you do if you think a coworker has an addiction? Are there actions you can take to help them?
First of all, don’t ignore the problem and hope it will go away. If it’s noticeable to you then it’s will be noticeable to the boss eventually. Wait until they are in a lucid moment and express your concerns to them. If their work affects your work, you can mention that you aren’t comfortable covering up for them and ask what is going on.
Let them know you’re there for them, they can go to you and you’ll listen if they feel frightened or inadequate. Let them know that you’ll respect their privacy. Learn what resources are available. Does your company offer an employee-assistance program that respects confidentially? What programs are offered by your community? If your coworker knows what their options are, then a decision to do something about their addiction may be easier with support. If they are afraid to go talk to someone alone, offer to drive them and pick them up, if you’re comfortable with that. Let them know their friends, coworkers and family care about them and will support their progress.
However, if your coworker’s self-destructive behavior is affecting your work, your health and they rebuff any offers of help, it’s okay to let go. If there isn’t any change, your priority has to be to take care of yourself and your livelihood. The decision to stay clean and sober can only be made by the addict. Addiction is not curable but it is controllable but the control is not in your hands, it’s in theirs. You can only offer your hand in friendship.
Do you have a coworker that is dealing with addiction?
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