How to Spot Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Over 15% of people aged 16 to 24 admit to drug use.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of substance abuse in the workplace is a critical skill for employers and managers. It helps protect the health and safety of employees, customers, and the public while also safeguarding the company’s reputation. This guide outlines the 4 key drug groups screened by the Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System: cocaine, cannabis (THC), methamphetamine, and opiate drugs. It also highlights behaviors that may indicate potential use in the workplace.
Cocaine
Cocaine is one of the most widely used stimulant drugs. It increases dopamine activity in the brain, creating euphoria and increased energy. As the effects wear off, users often crave that feeling again, which can quickly lead to addiction.
Most users snort cocaine, but some smoke or inject it. Watch for these common behaviors that may indicate cocaine use:
- Agitation
- Over-enthusiasm
- Hyperactivity
- Disinhibition
- Sniffing or cold-like symptoms
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Muscle tics or involuntary movements
- Difficulty concentrating
Substance Abuse in the Workplace: A person under the influence of cocaine may act impulsively, struggle to focus, and pose a serious safety risk in high-stakes or physically demanding environments.
Cannabis
Cannabis comes from the Cannabis Sativa plant and related species often called hemp. Known by many names: marijuana, weed, pot, hash – it remains the most widely used drug globally.
Although cannabis is illegal in the UK as a Class B substance, 6.2% of the population admit to using it. With such high usage, someone in your workforce may be under its influence.
Look for these signs of cannabis use:
- Unusual calmness, even in stressful situations
- Drowsiness
- Bloodshot eyes
- Memory issues
- Increased appetite
- Paranoia
- Slowed reflexes
- Distorted sense of time
Substance Abuse in the Workplace: Cannabis can impair reaction time and decision-making, making it dangerous for anyone operating machinery, driving, or performing safety-critical tasks.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines, including methamphetamine, are stimulants that boost energy and alertness by increasing certain brain chemicals. These drugs come in tablets, powders, pastes, or crystals and may be swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected.
While some amphetamines like Adderall and Ritalin are prescribed for ADHD, misuse can be dangerous and even fatal. Recognizing the signs of stimulant abuse can save lives.
Watch for these symptoms:
- Rapid weight loss
- Severe fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Paranoia
- Delusions or hallucinations
- Intense anxiety or depression
- Tremors or muscle control issues
- Seizures
Substance Abuse in the Workplace: Amphetamine use can lead to erratic behavior, hallucinations, or physical collapse – posing a major threat in any safety-sensitive role.
Opiates
Opiates like heroin are among the most dangerous and addictive drugs. Derived from the opium poppy, heroin appears as a white or brown powder, a sticky black substance (tar), or solid black chunks. Users may smoke, snort, or inject it.
Heroin takes effect within minutes, producing a powerful rush. Because users can’t control purity or dosage, overdoses are common and life-threatening.
Look for these signs of heroin use:
Immediate symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Dry mouth
Delayed symptoms:
- Drowsiness
- Mental fog
- Slowed breathing
- “Nodding off” (falling in and out of sleep)
Long-term signs:
- Needle marks or bruises
- Skin infections or abscesses
Substance Abuse in the Workplace: Heroin severely impairs alertness and motor function. Someone under its influence could fall asleep on the job or fail to respond in an emergency-putting themselves and others at serious risk.
Reduce Workplace Incidents
It’s easy to think that substance abuse in the workplace is uncommon and not something that your employees or colleagues would be affected by. However, we know from the stats that drug use is prevalent amongst people of all ages and from all socio-economic groups. This means it’s important in all workplace environments to educate and empower your team to know how to spot and report any behaviour that could point to drug use.
An active workplace drug testing policy can play a vital role in helping to identify drug misuse by employees and, beyond the obvious safety aspects, it can have additional benefits for a business and its staff. Absenteeism and compromised productivity can be reduced, while organisations can also take steps to support employees with drug problems to help them get the treatment they need.
Simpler Drug Testing
No matter which method you choose – fingerprint, urine, or saliva – expanding your workplace drug testing program is a proactive step toward improving safety, productivity, and employee well-being. Each method has its strengths, and understanding the differences can help you choose the right approach for your organization.
Fingerprint vs Urine vs Saliva
At Intelligent Fingerprinting, we offer a fast, hygienic, and easy-to-use fingerprint drug screening system that supports a wide range of screening scenarios – from pre-employment checks to random testing and post-incident investigations. Our portable system collects and analyzes fingerprint sweat in under a minute, delivering reliable results in just ten minutes.
We also work with organizations to strengthen their drug and alcohol policies and provide drug awareness training—helping you build a safer, more informed workplace culture.
