Most people have had too much to drink at least once in
their lives. ? Unfortunately, people don't always recognize
the danger of drinking alcohol... or using drugs.
— They start out thinking that they are in complete
control... only to find themselves ruled by the
substances that they use. ? The term "substance abuse" can mean:
— The overuse of alcohol. — Misuse of over-the-counter medications
and prescription drugs.
— Use of illegal drugs. — "Huffing" chemicals that produce noxious
vapors, such as solvents, lighter fluid and glue.
— Eating "magic mushrooms" and other toxic plants.
? Substances that produce a "high" affect how the central
nervous system functions. — Depressants, such as alcohol, marijuana
and tranquilizers, slow down brain activity.
— Stimulants, including cocaine, crack and methamphetamine, speed it up.
— Narcotic analgesics, such as heroin, morphine and
OxyContin numb the senses. — Hallucinogens like LSD alter the way that
the brain processes information.
When people think of substance abuse, they often picture
an addict living on the street. — But the fact is that most abusers have
jobs. — They are frequently able to conceal their
problem from their employers, coworkers and even their
families. 3 ? Alcohol is by far the most commonly abused
of all drugs. — In the United States alone there are over
50 million binge drinkers.
— Nearly half of all serious workplace accidents are
caused by people drinking on the job. — And 25,000 people die each year in alcohol-related
vehicle crashes! ? Impairment starts with the first drink!
— And after only a few drinks it's extremely unsafe to
operate vehicles or machinery of any type. ? A person who is drunk may act irrationally,
have emotional outbursts... even become violent.
— Although no one should be allowed behind the wheel
while they are intoxicated, it may not be safe for you
to try and get their keys. — Notify your supervisor if a coworker who
appears to be under the influence is attempting to drive
(call the police if you are not on the job).
? Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug, and is
second only to alcohol in its frequency of abuse.
? Like alcohol, marijuana is a depressant. This makes it
unsafe for a user to be working because marijuana: — Impairs short-term memory.
— Reduces the ability to concentrate. — Affects coordination.
— Slows reaction time. ? As with most illegal drugs, marijuana has
a cumulative effect. Over time, heavy users:
— Develop a noticeable reduction in their ability to
function safely. — Tend to lose ambition.
— Often suffer from paranoia. — Develop negative personality traits that
can hurt their chances for career advancement.4
? People who smoke marijuana often drink alcohol to
increase the "high." — When a person is "doubly impaired" they
are much more likely to be involved in an accident.
? Combining drugs can also lead to an overdose. — For instance, consuming alcohol with strong
depressants, such as barbiturates and tranquilizers, can be fatal.
? In the workplace, the most commonly overlooked depressants are the chemicals that you may
use every day.
— Breathing in fumes from aerosol cans, glue or
gasoline can cause immediate, irreversible damage
to your brain, lungs and respiratory tract. — You have to be especially careful when
working around these substances, because it can be
easy to "get hooked" on the vapors and not even know
it.