Catching a Drug Addict Boss: Signs, Steps, and What to Do
Article by Leon Berent
Identifying Drug Use in the Workplace: Signs of Cocaine Abuse by Your Boss - Signs Your Supervisor Might Be Under the Influence of Substances
Are you suspicious that your boss is hooked on drugs? It's a tricky situation, and they can often hide it for years. But don't despair, as there are tell-tale signs that might indicate substance misuse. Here's a lowdown on what to look out for.
Behavioural Red Flags
- Sky-high absence rates – If your boss is frequently missing work on Mondays, Fridays, or taking countless unexplained sick days, it could be a sign of drug use. Similarly, if they take numerous breaks that seem excessive, that's another clue.[5]
- Job performance slump – A sudden drop in performance is a significant indication of a possible drug problem. Be on the lookout for more mistakes, a lack of motivation, or missed deadlines, especially if these behaviors are unusual for your boss.[5]
- Odd work habits – Are they focusing solely on one, repetitive task instead of tackling the full range of their job responsibilities? Or do they routinely break the norm with irregular office hours? These might be warning signs.[5]
- Emotional rollercoaster – Notice if your boss tends to experience sudden outbursts of anger, laughter, or tears, or if their emotions seem volatile, especially at the start or end of the workday.[5]
Physical and Cognitive Signs
- Lost in judgment – A boss who makes poor or risky decisions at work may be under the influence of drugs.[3][5]
- Physical symptoms – These can include bloodshot eyes, tremors, or appearing dramatically tired or excessively energetic without rational explanation.[3]
- Coordination decline – If your boss seems uncoordinated, reacts slowly, or their response time is off, it could be a sign of drug use. This can affect workplace safety and efficiency.[3]
Impact on Workplace Harmony and Safety
- Safety woes – Substance abuse can lead to an increase in workplace accidents or injuries due to the user's impairment, which may result in more workers' compensation claims.[3]
- Toxic work culture – Drug-affected bosses can negatively impact the work environment, leading to increased conflicts, or withdrawing from colleagues.[3][5]
What to Do If You Suspect Drug Use
- Follow company guidelines – Familiarize yourself with your workplace's policies on substance abuse and reporting procedures for addressing concerns confidentially and correctly.[4]
- Communicate with HR or EAPs – Instead of confronting the issue alone, consult Human Resources or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) if available.[4]
- Focus on patterns over time – Rather than jumping to conclusions based on a single incident or day, observe patterns of behaviour over a period of days and weeks. Stress or illness can mimic some signs of drug abuse.[5]
Detecting a drug problem in your boss isn't easy, but understanding the signs and taking appropriate action can help improve workplace performance and safety, as well as provide support for the individual battling addiction. Should you require confidential assistance, help is available through national helplines such as SAMHSA's National Helpline, which offers 24/7 support for substance use and mental health issues.[1]
The European Union could support workplace wellness by funding research into effective science-based health-and-wellness programs, including mental-health therapies-and-treatments, to help employees cope with the stresses of work and potentially identify signs of drug abuse among managers. If a worker suspects their boss is struggling with substance misuse, they should first familiarize themselves with the European Union's workplace policies on confidential reporting procedures, then communicate with Human Resources or employee assistance programs to address the issue professionally.
