Addiction is a non-discriminatory disorder that affects how an individual consumes a substance and/or engages in behaviours that may be considered addictive.
A non-discriminatory disease can impact any individual, regardless of their background and upbringing, and can cause serious long-term consequences and impacts if it is not treated accordingly and in a timely manner.
When an individual is addicted, their cognitive patterns are often altered, meaning that an individual will often continue engaging in addictive behaviours (e.g., drug-taking or behaviours such as shopping and gambling) despite the negative impacts that may occur as a result of these impacts.
In a career setting or as part of a workforce, addiction and its associated effects can be especially damaging due to the ways in which it may inhibit an individual’s ability and/or capacity to carry out work tasks.
This is the focus of this article – how can stress and addiction impact and individual at work, and how can their employer/entrepreneurs take steps to reduce or aid this effect.
Addiction recovery: how can rehabilitation help?
Specific studies and research have found that addictions such as those to the internet can be especially harmful at work due to the accessibility of these resources in the workplace (1).
In these instances, it is especially important that individuals seek rehabilitation or home-based alcohol detox services as a way to combat the effects of addiction and work to improve their general mental health, as well as potentially boosting their efficiency and enjoyment of their work.
For example, if an individual is struggling with an alcohol addiction while employed in a full-time career, then working to overcome this can greatly benefit the individual in terms of how they are able to carry out their work tasks, as well as a boost to their mental health due to the reduction in thoughts about or urges to consume substances.
Addiction and stress: how are they linked?
Though addiction and stress have long been linked together due to the effects of this disorder, this has been specifically proven across many different studies and channels of research.
For example, it was found that opium addicts may experience more ‘stressful’ life events and that this may cause more issues in their lives including further development of drug consumption and increase their risk of relapse (2).
Although addiction and stress may be linked, it is often hard to judge whether these effects are caused by one another, or if they are co-occurring, leading to additional support and treatment when it comes to rehabilitation.
How addiction and stress in the workplace can impact an individual
As is a common occurrence, the presence of stress in any individual’s life can often cause a great level of distraction when it comes to a number of different activities and responsibilities.
At work, this can cause even more issues as an individual’s position in work is often dictated by their daily responsibilities and priorities, as well as their performance – all of which stress can impact.
For example, if an individual is feeling particularly restless and/or stressed as a result of a lack of access to the substance that they are addicted to, then this may begin to impact how they perform at work, sometimes leading to additional issues with their position at the workplace, as well as their relations with others at work.
How entrepreneurs and business owners can support individuals
So how can an entrepreneur or business owner ensure that an individual’s mental health and/or addiction is supported at work?
In fact, there are many different approaches that an individual may take when it comes to reducing stress and supporting employees at work – many of which are focussed on mental health in general but that can be specialised to many individuals’ stresses in the workplace.
The following subheadings will outline some of the major steps that entrepreneurs and business owners can take to reduce an individual’s stress in the workplace and support their general mental health, though these may have to be adjusted slightly in each specific case and/or situation.
1. Occupational therapists
In many workplaces, the introduction or incorporation of an occupational therapist can be a great way to ensure that individuals feel supported and have multiple outlets at work in which to share their mental burdens.
Though they may not always be employed full-time, having the availability of an occupational therapist in many circumstances can be a great way to ensure that individuals in the workplace have someone to talk to, as well as an outlet for their mental health struggles that fall outside of their employer and/or manager.
Occupational therapists have the authority to keep all interactions with workers completely confidential and have no obligation to share or distribute any information shared in their sessions with anyone else unless it may bring harm to the individual or others.
2. Meetings/presentations focussed on mental health
As a less direct method, some entrepreneurs or employers may choose to lead or provide meetings and/or presentations concerning mental health, stress, and addiction in the workplace.
As well as spreading awareness of the presence of mental health struggles in the workplace, these presentations may be a great way for individuals to contribute to the general conversation and learn more about what some colleagues may be dealing with in life outside of the workplace.
3. Open door policies
This is something that is becoming increasingly common in the workplace due to the open and ‘willing to learn’ attitude that this approach spreads.
For example, if an employer or manager has a policy of keeping their office door open during certain periods of the day, then individuals may feel more inclined to share their experiences and offload burdens of stress that these individuals may be experiencing.
This creates a more friendly environment, as well as leading directly into the next point.
4. Openness and honesty in the workplace
If a workplace has the reputation of being supportive and open with their employees, then more individuals may feel better about sharing their experiences and therefore allowing themselves to be more open to help and other forms of support.
By encouraging this form of communication and attitude within a workplace, individuals will be more able to ask for help should they need it due to the increased support that they may perceive that their employers provide.
In all cases of discussing stress and addiction, individuals should always feel as though those that they are communicating with have an open mind and approach to supporting them, no matter the details or factors of their addiction that they may disclose.
Getting further help and support for an individual’s stress and/or addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, addiction, or other mental health issues in the workplace, then it is vital that they seek support as soon as they are able.
This may include seeking support directly from their workplace, but in more serious cases, an individual should always contact the emergency services or their local health services to get specific advice and support for their unique situation.
Read more:
From Burnout to Balance: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Work Stress, Addiction, and Recovery
