EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
ON
HEALTH, WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE
AND
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
DEVELOPED BY CHANDLER CONSULTING INC.
RED DEER, ALBERTA
WORKING TOWARDS A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
MARIJUANA
1
The common name for a crude drug made from the chopped leaves, stems and
flowering tops of a plant called Cannabis Sativa. The active ingredient in marijuana
(THC) is stored in body fat and is retained for days to weeks after use. Persons
performing safety sensitive functions put themselves and others in danger when
they use marijuana. Tests have shown that a person’s reflexes and thought
processes are slower under the influence of marijuana. The effects of this drug are
longer lasting than first thought. If fact, impairment can last more that 24 hours after
using marijuana. The body actually stores the drug for days, weeks, and in some
cases months, depending on the frequency of use. Also, whenever marijuana is
taken with alcohol, the effects of both are magnified many times over. The
marijuana of today is up to 15 times stronger or more potent than the marijuana of
the 60's.
Immediate Effects
♦ THC takes effect immediately, with acute intoxication peaking 10 – 30 minutes later
♦ Acute intoxication usually lasts a couple hours, and the person experiences a sense
of euphoria or high. During this phase memory, cognition, perception and motor
activity are affected.
♦ Acute intoxication is followed by a period of “coming down”, that can last an average
of an hour, during which time concentration, memory and reflexes may be affected.
♦ Reddened eyes, dry mouth and throat
♦ Increased heart rate
♦ Impaired coordination and balance
♦ Delayed reaction time
♦ Diminished short-term memory
♦ Causes mental confusion
♦ Moderate doses tend to induce a sense of well-being and a dreamy state of
relaxation that encourages fantasies, renders some users highly suggestible, and
distorts perception (making it dangerous to operate machinery, drive a car or boat,
or ride a bicycle).
Chronic and Long Term Effects
♦ Marijuana use reduces learning ability. Research has demonstrates clearly that
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marijuana limits the capacity to absorb and retain information.
Heavy marijuana users develop an inability to focus, sustain attention, and organize
data , and can persist for as long as 24 hours after their last use of the drug.
Respiratory system: Chest colds, bronchitis emphysema and bronchial asthma.
Reduction in efficiency of the respiratory system, persistent use will damage lungs
and airways. Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals from one marijuana joint
equals five tobacco cigarettes.
cardiovascular,
Immunological system: Marijuana greatly impairs the ability of the immune system
to fight infection and disease
Reproductive system: regular use can delay the onset of puberty in young men and
reduce sperm production. For women, regular use may disrupt normal monthly
menstrual cycles and inhibit ovulation
Impaired short-term memory
Slowed reaction time, impaired motor skills
Reduced ability to concentrate
Psychological dependence
Loss of motivation
Diminished inhibitions
Inappropriate emotional responses
Stunts emotional and intellectual growth
Impaired motor skills
Addiction
Unable to correctly measure time and distance
Chronic marijuana users may experience withdrawal symptoms, which include
irritability, restlessness, vivid disturbing dreams and poor concentration. During this
time perception, cognitive functioning and motor skills could by significantly impaired
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MARIJUANA
Effects on Safety Sensitive Positions
A person performing a safety sensitive function or operating a motor vehicle
while using marijuana is likely to experience:
Impaired reaction time
Reaction time is increased, and braking time is slowed. Thinking and reflexes are
slowed, making it difficult to respond to sudden, unexpected events.
Impaired short term memory
The learning process is slowed. Remembering a sequence of numbers or memorizing
and following a series of directions becomes difficult.
Impaired tracking
The act of following a moving stimuli is significantly and consistently diminished.
Tracking can be affected up to ten hours after use.
Distorted time and distance sense
The ability to perceive accurately the passage of time is adversely affected. The user
typically over-estimates the time that has elapsed.
Lack of control of vehicle velocity and proper positioning
Responding to wind gusts, driving through curves, and maintaining speed and proper
following distance is impeded.
Lengthened glare recovery and blurred/double vision
Distorted visual and depth perception
Confusion is created about traffic movement and appropriate driver response.
Cognitive Impairment
Difficulty in thinking and problem-solving. Heavy users may have increased difficulty
sustaining attention, shifting attention to meet the demands of changes in the
environment, and in registering, processing and using information.
Significant performance impairments are usually observed for at least 1 – 2 hours
following marijuana use, and residual effects have been reported up to 24 hours.
Severe driving impairment is observed with high doses, chronic use and in combination
with low doses of alcohol. The more difficult and unpredictable the risk, the more likely
marijuana will impair performance.
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OPIATES
2
Sometimes referred to as narcotics, opiates are a group of drugs used medically
to relieve pain. Some opiates come from a resin taken from the seed pod of the
Asian Poppy, i.e. opium, morphine, heroin and codeine. Other opiates are
synthesized or manufactured. The term “opioids” includes naturally occurring
opiate drugs, as well as the synthetic narcotics. Opiates tend to have a sedating,
calming effect, and act as a depressant to the central nervous system. People
who misuse or abuse these drugs can easily become addicted to them. Opiate
medications include: codeine, morphine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxycodone
(Percodan), Fentanyl (Duragesic), meperidene (Demerol), pentazocine (Talwin)
and propoxyphene (Darvon).
Immediate Effects
♦ Relaxation and induced sleep
♦ Reduction of pain
♦ Daydreaming
♦ Distorted vision
♦ Distorted sense of time and distance
♦ Decrease in size of pupils
♦ Cold, moist and bluish skin
♦ Nausea, vomiting, shakiness
♦ Confusion, paranoia, depression, disorientation
♦ Coma, death
Chronic and Long Term Effects
♦ Restlessness, nausea and vomiting
♦ Breathing slows down, and death may occur
♦ User may go “on the nod” going back and forth from feeling alert to drowsy
♦ Loss of appetite and malnutrition
♦ Chronic constipation
♦ Addiction even with occasional use
♦ Convulsions – during withdrawal
♦ Impotency, menstrual irregularities
♦ Infections of the heart lining and valves, skin abscesses, and congested lungs
♦ Infections from unsterile solutions, illness such as liver disease, tetanus, serum
hepatitis and AIDS from use of needles.
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OPIATES
Effects on Safety Sensitive Positions
A person performing a safety sensitive function or operating a motor vehicle
while using Opiates is likely to experience:
Effects of intoxication
These effects are similar to those produced by alcohol abuse.
False sense of security
This state of mind will cause the employee to take more chances and risks.
Euphoric high followed by a period of stuporous inactivity
The employee day dreams while in this state of mind. Attention is not given to the task
being performed. This subsequently creates the probability of an accident.
Difficulty in focusing
The pupils are so constricted (pinpoint size) that vision is impaired.
Visual distortion
Blurred and/or double vision occurs as it does with any depressant drugs.
Loss of consciousness
This is due to extreme fatigue and drowsiness.
Coma
This creates an obvious safety risk.
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COCAINE
3
A powerful stimulant drug extracted from the leaves of the Erythroxylon coca
plant. It is the most powerful central nervous system stimulant known to
mankind, and produces an intense feeling of well-being, or euphoria, known as a
“high”. The “high” will last for 10 to 60 minutes for powder. Crack is a form of
cocaine and is especially addicting and dangerous. It produces an
overwhelming state of euphoria, followed by a feeling of restlessness, irritability
and depression. The “high” lasts only about 5 to 10 minutes,
Immediate effects
♦ Euphoria, excitation, feelings of well-being, general arousal, increased focus and
alertness, mental clarity, increased talkativeness, offsets fatigue
♦ Slowed reaction time
♦ Distorted vision and depth perception
♦ Slow to make decisions
♦ Increase in blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and body temperature,
dilated pupils
Chronic and Long Term Effects
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Short attention span
Irritability, anxiety and depression
General CNS depression
Drug craving
Agitation, nervousness, fatigue, insomnia
Seizure and heart attack
Loss of appetite and sleeplessness
Psychological problems and dependence
Hallucinations of touch, sight, taste, and/or smell
Itching, picking, scratching
COCAINE
Effects on Safety Sensitive Positions
A person performing a safety sensitive function while using cocaine is likely to
experience:
Lapses in attention and concentration
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Awareness is adversely affected regardless of the amount used. Inability to focus on
divided attention tasks.
Aggressive behavior - The result manifestations are anger and hostility toward
other employees as well as impatience and inappropriate risk-taking. The employee
often over-reacts to minor job related irritations.
Tendency to overreact & compensate
Acceleration, braking, shifting, etc. are affected by over stimulated reflexes. Increased
risk taking have been demonstrated (rapid braking or steering)
Impaired motor coordination- A decrease in hand-steadiness and eye/hand
coordination affects proper performance response.
Periods of loss of consciousness
This is the result of fatigue due to lack of sleep and food.
Impaired judgement
False sense of alertness and security
Employees become overly confident in judgment and skill. This affects their ability to
perceive impending danger.
Convulsions, seizures, cardiac arrest and/or stroke
These effects can obviously result in an accident.
Distorted vision and difficulty in seeing
The pupils are so dilated that sunlight or bright head lights cause pain and discomfort.
Glare recovery is also affected.
Auditory and visual hallucinations as well as cocaine psychosis
Changes in perception are experienced. The employee is out of touch with reality and
loses sight of where he is going.
Profound depression, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness
Cocaine is a fast-acting drug. The euphoria ends in less than an hour. The user is
more depressed after using cocaine than before use. The higher the “high” the lower
the “low”.
Effects on Driving: Observed signs of impairment in driving performance have
included subjects speeding, losing control of their vehicle, causing collisions, turning in
front of other vehicles, high-risk behavior, inattentive driving, and poor impulse control.
As the effects of cocaine wear off subjects may suffer from fatigue, depression,
sleepiness, and inattention.
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AMPHETAMINES
METHAMPHETAMINES
4
Drugs which are central nervous system stimulants used to increase alertness
and physical activity. In pure form they are yellowish crystals that are
manufactured into tablets or capsules. The three amphetamines include:
Amphetamine, Dextroamphetamine, and Methamphetamine (free-based
methamphetamine is called ICE). This class of drug is often used by employees
to stay awake and to counteract the effects of drowsiness. They are especially
dangerous to take while driving. Crystal meth is a different form of
methamphetamine that is manufactured, forming a substance resembling ice
crystals. This product can be smoked producing a faster high than swallowing.
Immediate Effects
Increased heart rate and respiration, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils
Dry mouth, grinding teeth (causes damage to teeth)
User feels alert, restless and excited, increased energy
Euphoria, excitation, exhilaration, rapid flight of ideas, increased libido
False sense of confidence and power, delusions of grandeur leading to aggressive
behavior
♦ Panic, anxiousness, nervousness, sweating, reduced fatigue and drowsiness
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Chronic and Long Term Effects
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Sweating, headache, blurred vision, and dizziness, loss of coordination
Decreased appetite, abdominal cramps, tremors
Sleeplessness, anxiety, moodiness, irritability
Rapid or irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure and respiration rate, elevated
temperature, palpitations
Weight loss, malnutrition, physical collapse
Late phase – restlessness, depression, agitation, nervousness, violence,
aggression, lack of coordination, drug craving
Addiction and brain damage
Amphetamine psychosis: hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia
Binge use of methamphetamine can be broken down into the following phases: Rush –
(5 minutes) intense euphoria, rapid flight of ideas, sexual stimulation, high energy,
obsessive/compulsive activity, thought blending, dilated pupils; Shoulder – (1 hour) less
intense euphoria, hyperactivity, rapid flight of ideas, obsessive/compulsive activity,
thought blending, dilated pupils; Binge use – (1-5 days) the drug is frequently
readministered in an attempt to regain or maintain euphoria; Tweaking – (4-24 hours)
dysphoria, scattered and disorganized thought, intense craving, paranoia, anxiety and
irritability, hypervigilance, auditory and tactile hallucinations, delusions, and normal
pupils; Crash – (1-3 days) intense fatigue, uncontrollable sleepiness and catnapping,
continuing stimulation, drug craving; Normal – (2-7 days) apparent return to “normalcy”
although drug craving may appear; Withdrawal – waves of intense craving, depression,
hypersomnolence, exhaustion, extreme fatigue.
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AMPHETAMINES/METHAMPHETAMINES
Effects on Safety Sensitive Positions
Very similar to the effects of Cocaine/Crack, except intensity decreases and
duration increases.
A person performing a safety sensitive function while using amphetamines is likely to
experience:
Over-estimation of performance capabilities
Employees takes more risks as the result of this attitude.
A likelihood of being more accident-prone
Actual driving records indicate that drivers who take amphetamines are more accidentprone. This may be due to inability to focus attention on divided attention tasks,
inattention, restlessness, motor excitation, increased reaction time, and time distortion,
depressed reflexes
Anxiety, irritability and frequent over-reaction
Minor irritations effect inappropriate emotional reactions.
Extreme mental and physical fatigue
This occurs during the “down” period. During this time the employee is unable to
concentrate and make sound judgements.
Food and sleep deprivation
For drivers, leads to inappropriate increased vehicle speed. Amphetamine psychosis
can also result in the employee being out of touch with reality and does not know where
he/she is going.
Auditory and visual hallucinations
Impaired motor coordination
Responses necessary for hand/eye coordination are impaired.
Stimulant Drugs
(Including cocaine) used to combat fatigue and keep employee awake, make the
person edgy, less coordinated and more likely to be involved in traffic collisions.
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Effects on Driving - drive-off-the-road type accidents, high speed, failing to stop,
diminished divided attention, inattentive driving, impatience, and high risk driving have
been reported. Significant impairment of driving performance would also be expected
during drug withdrawal.
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PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP)
5
PCP was first developed as an anesthetic in the 1950's and was taken off the
market because it sometimes causes hallucinations. Most often called “angel
dust”, it is available in various forms: a white crystal-like powder, a tablet or
capsule. Users of PCP may experience hallucinations and signs of intoxication.
They may not be able to focus their attention or will experience confusion and
lack of coordination. Although PCP has immediate short term effects, it is also
known for it’s long term effect of causing psychotic behavior often associated
with violent acts.
Immediate Effects
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Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Flushing, sweating, dizziness and numbness
Confusion
Panic
Anxiety
Chronic and Long Term Effects
♦ Stimulation (speeding up) of body functions (may also act as a depressant, pain
killer, anesthetic, or hallucinogenic drug)
♦ Change in user’s perception of own body and other forms
♦ Changes in speech, muscle coordination and vision
♦ Slowing of body movements
♦ Dulled sense of touch and pain
♦ “Spacing out” of time
♦ Drowsiness, convulsions and coma (effects of large doses)
♦ Death from repeated convulsions, heart and lung failure or ruptured blood vessels in
the brain
♦ Signs of paranoia, fearfulness and anxiety
♦ Flashbacks or PCP psychosis
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PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP)
Effects on Safety Sensitive Positions
The employee using this drug is extremely dangerous at work or on the road. Its
effects are so varied and so bizarre that the dangers are unpredictable.
A person performing a safety sensitive function while using PCP is likely to experience:
A feeling of owning the road
The user feels that he/she is the superior being at work or on the road.
Sense of invulnerability and power
This causes the employee to take more risks.
Aggressive behavior
This drug can create a very aggressive, hostile and violent person with very little
patience and no fear of death.
Auditory and visual hallucinations
This creates the likelihood of the employee reacting to something not there, causing an
accident or a collision.
Visual distortion
Blurred and/or double vision can occur.
Convulsions, coma and/or death
This creates the obvious possibility of an accident or a collision.
Loss of perception of time.
Time appears to slow down.
Impaired coordination & dulled sense
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MDMA - ECSTACY
6
MDMA affects perceptions, sensations, thinking, self-awareness and emotions.
Often there are feelings of mystical religious experience. MDA & MDEA area lso
part of the testing.
Immediate Effects
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Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Muscle tension
Dry mouth
Dilated pupils
Involuntary teeth clenching
Nausea
Blurred vision
Flushing, faintness, chills and sweating
Chronic and Long Term Effects
♦ Effects the body’s ability to regulate temperature
♦ High doses can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature (hypothermia)
resulting in liver, kidney, and cardiovascular failure
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MDMA - ECSTACY
Effects on Safety Sensitive Positions
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Stimulant with psychoactive properties
Mental stimulation
Emotional warmth, inner peace, intimacy, euphoria
Enhanced sensory perception
Increased energy , endurance, alertness, awareness, wakefulness
Increased desire, drive and motivation
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Memory impairment
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ALCOHOL
LEGAL BUT DANGEROUS
7
When consumed in moderation, for enjoyment, alcohol is classified as a
recreational beverage. But when alcohol is consumed in quantity producing
physical or mood altering effects, it becomes a substance of abuse. The effects
of alcohol vary dependent on many factors. The first and most obvious is the
quantity of alcohol consumed. Other factors include, a person’s body weight,
whether the person is rested or tired, sick or healthy, stomach content, age,
attitude and gender. As a rule, consuming one or two drinks tends to relax an
individual and create a feeling of well being. Beyond one or two drinks, however,
alcohol begins to react differently on individuals, depending on the factors
previously discussed, which determine the rate of metabolism in the body.
Remember, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.
Immediate Effects
Odor on breath
Initial stimulation followed by depressed nervous system
Flushed skin
Nausea
Glazed appearance of eyes
Slowed reaction time
Impaired motor skills, unsteadiness
Slurred speech
Aggressiveness and hostility
Increased tolerance levels
♦ Blackouts
♦ Incoherent
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Chronic and Long Term Effects
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Nutritional deficiencies and sleeping difficulty
Impaired short term memory
Inability to concentrate
Physical and Psychological dependence
Brain and nervous system damage
Liver damage
Digestive problems (gastric ulcer)
Higher likelihood of stroke, coronary problems in general and several forms of
cancer
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ALCOHOL
Effects on Safety Sensitive Positions
A person performing a safety sensitive function while using alcohol is likely to
experience the following under even minute amounts of alcohol. These
reactions increase in intensity with blood alcohol level.
Impaired reaction time and impaired motor coordination
♦ Reaction time is increased, and braking time is slowed
♦ Thinking and reflexes slow, making accidents more likely in unexpected situations
♦ Errors in steering are related to low blood alcohol levels
Reduced Concentration
♦ Memory is impaired and learning processes slowed
♦ Remembering sequences of numbers or directions can be difficult
♦ Daydreaming can lead to accidents
Tendency to take unnecessary risks
♦ Impaired judgement and lowered inhibitions make it more likely that employee will
take unnecessary risk
♦ May also occur due to false sense of security
Possibility of reacting with anger toward other employees
♦ As blood alcohol level decreases, agitation may cause outbursts of anger
Euphoric high followed by a period of stuporous inactivity
♦ Daydreaming occurs and attention is diverted. Possibility of accidents is increased
due to sluggishness and inattention.
Visual distortion
♦ Blurred and/or double vision occurs as with any depressant drug.
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YOU NEED TO KNOW.....
Substance abuse has a noticeable impact on the way people perform on the job. Whether
the drug of choice is marijuana, cocaine/crack, amphetamines/methamphetamines,
opiates, PCP, alcohol, or prescription drugs, drug use affects everyone’s safety in the
workplace and causes changes in “normal” work patterns and behaviors.
Even if you don’t use drugs or alcohol, you can help keep your workplace drug free by
learning to recognize the warning signs of drug abuse on the job.
You must remember, however, some of these same warning signs are indicative of other
problems such as diabetes, thyroid disease, etc. It’s not the job of co-workers or
supervisors to diagnose or treat substance abuse. Your job is to know the facts and help
protect your family, your co-workers, and the public from the effects of drug abuse.
KNOW THE SIGNS
Deterioration of Job Performance Associated with Substance Abuse
Absenteeism and Tardiness
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Unauthorized leave
Excessive sick leave
Monday and Friday absences
Repeated absences of 2-4 days
Repeated absences of 1-2 weeks (5-10 days)
Excessive tardiness, especially returning from lunch or on Monday mornings
Leaving work early
Peculiar and improbable excuses for absences
Higher absenteeism rate than other employees for colds, flu, gastritis, etc.
Frequent unscheduled short-term absences
On-the-Job Absenteeism
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Continued absences from post
Frequent trips to water fountain or bathroom
Long coffee breaks
Physical illness on the job
Accidents
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Accidents on the job
Accidents off the job (but affecting job performance)
Ignoring safety rules
Using equipment recklessly
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♦ Taking unreasonable risks
Work Patterns
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Difficulty in concentrating
Work requires great effort
Jobs take more time
Hand tremors
Confusion
Difficulty in recalling instructions
Difficulty with complex assignments
Difficulty recalling own mistakes
High and low periods of productivity
Lowered job efficiency
Missed deadlines
Mistakes due to inattention
Waste of material
Bad decisions
Subject of complaints from industry/public representatives
Improbable excuses for poor performance
Employee Relationships on the Job
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Over-reaction to real or imagined criticism
Withdrawal or inappropriately talkative
Mood swings
Borrowing money from co-workers
Subject of complaints from co-workers
Unreasonable resentments
Avoidance of associates
Stealing small items from co-workers and employers
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KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
MARIJUANA
(dope, weed, herb, grass, pot, reefer, mary jane)
♦ Rapid loud talking
♦ Red eyes
♦ Excessive laughter or inappropriate happiness, giddiness
♦ Moodiness
♦ Forgetfulness in a conversation (i.e. “What was I saying?)
♦ Inflammation in whites of eyes; pupils unlikely to be dilated
♦ Appearance of intoxication, but has no smell of alcohol
♦ Impaired perception, balance, motor coordination, and reaction times
♦ Appearance of sleepiness or stupor in the latter stages
♦ Distorted sense of time passage, tendency to overestimate time intervals
♦ Tendency to drive vehicles slowly, below speed limit
♦ Increase in appetite especially after smoking marijuana
♦ Odor similar to burnt rope on clothing or breath
♦ Paraphernalia: presence of roach clips (alligator clips), cigarette rolling
papers, butter knives with burnt ends used for “hot-knifing”, bongs (water
pipes), pipes with dark tarry resin, baggies containing a green leafy
substance, Visine (to reduce redness in the eyes)
OPIATES
(horse, smack, junk, H, morpho, dollies, heroin, opium, morphine, codeine)
♦ Pinpoint pupils that fail to respond to light
♦ Respiratory depression. Drowsiness and yawning
♦ Excess talking, slurred speech
♦ Nausea and vomiting
♦ Cold, moist, bluish skin
♦ Apathy and decreased physical activity
♦ Short lived euphoria or feeling good effects
♦ Changes in state of mind, going back and forth from feeling alert to
drowsy
♦ Needle tracks (inner arms, between toes, groin area, wrist)
♦ Always wears long sleeved shirts
♦ Paraphernalia: Needles/syringes, surgical tubing, eye droppers, filter
tips from cigarettes, tin foil, spoons, tiny blood splattering spots on light
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bulbs and ceiling, packets of white or brown powder, pills.
COCAINE
(coke, crack, blow, snow)
♦ Dilated pupils, runny nose; reddened and sore nose, cold or chronic
sinus/nasal problems, nosebleeds, uncontrollable sniffing
♦ Unexplained bursts of energy, restlessness or nervousness
♦ Repetitive and non-purposeful behavior
♦ Irritability and anxiety, nervous, argues easily
♦ Confusion and disorganized thinking, talkative and excited
♦ Impaired judgment
♦ Burnt lips and fingers from crack pipes
♦ Rashes and skin reddening from scratching
♦ White powder in container and/or around nose
♦ Smokers may suffer from acute respiratory problems including cough,
shortness of breath, and severe chest pains with lung trauma and
bleeding
♦ Paraphernalia: bent spoons, needles/syringes, razor blades, mirrors,
little bottles or packages of white powder, rolled paper money, straws,
broken light bulbs, baking powder, torch lighters, butane, steel wool,
glass pipes with white residue, home make pipes made from stainless
steel fittings
AMPHETAMINES
(speed, hearts, pep pills, beenies, uppers, peaches, cartwheels, skyrockets, meth, ice, crystal, crank, jib)
♦ Dilated pupils, dryness of mucous membranes (dry mouth and lips)
♦ Grinding teeth
♦ Excessive sweating and shakiness
♦ Reduced or loss of appetite, lack of sleep, insomnia
♦ Talkativeness, but conversation often lacks continuity; changes subjects
rapidly
♦ Unusual energy, accelerated movements and activities
♦ Irrational, agitated, moody, irritable
♦ Scratching, acne like sores on face
♦ Paranoia
♦ Paraphernalia: bent spoons, needles/syringes, glass pipes, small balled
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pieces of tin foil, torch lighters, butane, crumpled tin cans, tin bottle caps,
empty pen barrels, broken light bulbs.
PHENCYCLIDINE
(PCP, angel dust, hog)
♦ Pupils may appear dilated
♦ Mask-like facial appearance
♦ Rigid muscles, strange gait
♦ Irrational speech or behavior
♦ Symptoms of intoxication
♦ Hallucination
♦ Violent or frightened reactions
♦ Subject to flashbacks
♦ Exaggerated physical and mental reactions to situations
♦ Disorientation; agitation and violence if exposed to excessive sensory
stimulation
♦ Deadened sensory perception (may experience severe injuries while not
appearing to notice)
MDMA - ECSTACY
♦ Unwillingness to pick a battle, content or trance like state, and the absence of
concern or stress and anxiety in substantial stress or dangerous conditions
♦ AFTER EFFECTS 3 – 7 days
♦ Nervousness and heightened paranoia
♦ Nausea, chills, sweating, teeth clenching, muscle cramping, and blurred vision
♦ Sudden tiredness, irritability, intolerance, and prolonged DEPRESSION can also
arise
♦ Distortion of senses
♦ Pupils appear dilated
♦ Anxiety and irritability
♦ Impaired attention, focus, concentration
♦ Insomnia, exhaustion
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PREVENTION
ISSUES AROUND DEPENDENCY AND ENABLING
The process of addiction has a number of steps, through which there can be
less and less control and predictability for the individual with a problem:
♦ no use;
♦ experimentation (first time);
♦ social/recreational use;
♦ habitual use;
♦ misuse or abuse (other than intended or appropriate); and
♦ addiction/dependency (loss of control, increasing tolerance,
blackouts, withdrawal symptoms).
Alcohol or drug dependence, has been considered a primary chronic disease
influenced by genetic, social and environmental factors. It may be progressive
and can be fatal, and is characterized by:
♦ impaired control over substance use (compulsive);
♦ preoccupation with the drug;
♦ continued use despite negative consequences;
♦ distortion in thinking - particularly denial; and
♦ increasing tolerance and withdrawal reaction.
Denial is a principal characteristic of substance abuse.
The individual is convinced their substance use pattern is normal, and other
problems (social, family, work) are not related to the dependency. Denial
results in greater difficulty to change behavior at an early stage, as it prevents
an individual from acknowledging the existence of a problem on their own, and
accepting objective observations from others. Without this acknowledgment
on the individual’s part, diagnosis is difficult, treatment does not occur, and
the potential for eventual success in recovery is reduced.
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Dealing with problems related to substance abuse is made even more difficult
in the workplace, because co-workers and supervisors ‘enable’ the problem.
Enabling is a process through which an individual shields a substance abuser
from experiencing the impact or consequences of his or her actions, or in other
words, whenever you make it easy for a person in trouble with a substance to
keep drinking/using. For example, fellow workers may take on part of the
abuser’s work, cover for absences or repeatedly lend money. Supervisors
may turn a blind eye to declining or sporadic performance, rationalize the
situation, think the problem will go away, or let friendship color their
perception.
It is speculated that people enable instinctively and unconsciously for a
variety of reasons:
♦ to protect or help the chemically abusing person;
♦ to avoid endangering a relationship;
♦ in hopes that by ignoring the problem it will go away;
♦ to feel better about themselves when they “help” others.
♦ they have unresolved issues of substance abuse in their own lives;
♦ they feel personally responsible for the user’s alcohol or other drug
problem.
As a result, supervisors and co-workers may overlook unacceptable behavior,
disregard comments on employee’s problem behavior, cover up for the
employee, and refuse to believe that the person could be abusing substances.
They may recognize the problem but choose to ignore it, or personally counsel
the employee to help him. Most commonly, they will simply accept the
employee’s denial of the problem.
The earlier the chemically dependent employee receives help in
combating the problem, the greater the chances of success.
DON’T BE PART OF THE PROBLEM . . . BE PART
OF THE SOLUTION!
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RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Safety Responsibilities
Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace; they also have a responsibility
to reasonably accommodate those who have a substance abuse problem and to respect
an employee’s privacy. The responsibility is on employers to ensure the health, safety and
welfare of employees. When it comes to safe workplace practices, supervisors are equally
liable.
Substance Abuse Program Administration
Employers are responsible to provide all employees with:
- a copy of the Company’s Substance Abuse Policy
- written educational materials concerning the effects of alcohol and drugs on an
individual’s health, work and personal life, as well as signs and symptoms of substance
abuse
- information of where to get help if employees need it.
Employers are also responsible to train supervisors on detecting signs and symptoms of
possible substance abuse problems and effective intervention methods.
Company Policy Statement
It is the employee’s responsibility to read the company policy and to ask any questions
to better understand the policy.
Effects & Consequences
Employees have the right to be informed of the effects and consequences of substance
abuse. Written educational material about the effects and consequences of alcohol and
drugs on health, work and personal life is provided to employees.
Employee Assistance Program
Employees with substance abuse problems have the right to know where to get help and
what assistance is available to them.
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