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The Effects of Substance Abuse on Job Retention

Substance abuse has a significant effect on a person's ability to maintain employment. Effects of substance abuse on job retention include increased absenteeism, decreased productivity and an increase in work-related accidents. Without treatment, many people with substance abuse issues find it difficult to maintain employment.

  1. Increased Absenteeism

    • Use of controlled substances including drugs and alcohol can lead to an increase in employee absenteeism. Increased absences may be the result of time needed to recover from the effects of the substance, forgetfulness or poor judgment. Absenteeism often begins with tardiness and gradually increases in frequency as the dependence on the substance increases. Excessive absenteeism increases the workload of coworkers, and employers may find it difficult to cover shifts and meet production goals.

    Decreased Productivity

    • Employees with substance abuse problems are often irritable, anxious and struggle to get along with coworkers. Employees may become fatigued or have disorganized thinking due to drug and alcohol use. This inability to work with others, fatigue and disorganization may make it difficult for employees to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner and miss deadlines and production quotas.

    Increase in Work-Related Accidents

    • Use of drugs and alcohol can impair mental and physical functioning. Employees who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job or are experiencing the after-effects may have impaired functioning resulting in motor vehicle accidents or accidents while using machinery. Injuries or accidents may also occur due to tripping or stumbling.

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