Heroin is an illegal narcotic drug derived from the opium poppy plant. It is similar to other opioid drugs such as morphine and can appear as everything from a white powder to a dark, tar-like substance. Heroin is commonly injected but can also be eaten or smoked. Injected heroin is the most dangerous, as it increases serious health risks such as transmission of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.
Heroin Can Destroy Your Career
You have worked hard for your career. Even if your job is less than ideal, you don’t want to ruin it all by using drugs or alcohol. Yet when something as powerful as heroin takes over your life, the consequences can be devastating. The following are just a few of the many ways heroin can affect your career and your life:
- Heroin use can lead to illness and death by overdose
- Heroin use can lead to job loss and financial suffering
- Heroin use can lead to erratic behavior and loss of relationships
- Heroin use can lead to loss of freedom or serious jail time
If You Suspect an Employee is Abusing Heroin in the Workplace
If you have an employee who is using heroin or other drugs, you are in a high-risk situation. There are many ways that an employee who struggles with addiction can affect the safety and reliability of your business. It is absolutely imperative that you do something to help your employee. Ignoring an employee’s addiction comes at a high cost to you. Addiction can affect your business in the following ways:
- Profit loss due to workplace mistakes or absenteeism
- Less safety for your employees due to accidents or workplace violence
- Erratic or out of character actions by your employee can cost you customer or workers
- Liability issues and expenses
- Lowered workplace morale
- Potential sexual harassment or safety issues
You can fire your employee and ignore their addiction, but that option comes with the following costs:
- A guilty conscience
- Unemployment payments
- The expense of hiring and training a new employee
You cannot force your employee to stop using drugs or alcohol, but you can stage an employee intervention. An intervention is a structured and friendly confrontation that encourages your employee to seek help. Often, when an intervention is staged, treatment is pre-planned and ready for the person in need. The benefit of an intervention is clear. It is an opportunity to show your staff that you care and are willing to make a difference. The value of a successful intervention in a person’s life and the life of that person’s family is immeasurable.
Help for Heroin Addiction
We offer a toll-free 24 hour helpline that is staffed with trained counselors that can help you or an employee or coworker get on the path toward wellness. Find out how we can help you with everything from planning an intervention to implementing a treatment plan. There is hope. Please call now.
