Last October, the federal government began tightening drug testing requirements for employees involved with public safety such as pilots, airplane mechanics, and train operators. As stricter drug testing policies are put into place, much is being revealed about the workplace around America. In the last year, the number of employees believed to be using heroin has nearly doubled, and those using prescription opiates are increasing at an exponential rate.
Between January and June 2010, around 320,000 employees in the public safety workforce underwent the oral fluid testing. The heroin marker 6-acetylmorphine was found at a rate of 0.04%, increasing from 0.008% found through urine testing.
“We’re also seeing dramatic increases in on-the-job use of prescription opiates like oxycodone and oxymorphine, [sold under the brand names Vicodin and Oxy Contin],” said Dr. Barry Sample, head of the drug testing company Quest Diagnostics. Results from more than 5.5 million tests showed an 18% increase in opiate positives in the last year, and an increase of over 40% since 2005.
When under the influence of powerful opiates such as heroin or Oxy Contin, the individual will have impaired judgment or drowsiness, leading to a greater chance of accident. In nearly 1 in 20 post-accident employee drug test, opiates were found in the employee’s blood stream. Although these statistics are not surprising, “You don’t want to see anyone in a public safety role test positive,” said Dr. Sample.
People turn to drugs or alcohol for a number of reasons. “Stress in the workplace, which can play in increased substance use, has amplified in recent years due to job insecurity and a trend toward working longer hours,” said a report from the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).According to the SAMHSA, of the 20.3 million adults in the U.S. classified as having substance us disorders, 15.8 million were employed either full or part-time.
While many employers offer some sort of employee assistance program, many employees “…are often reluctant because of fears that the counseling is not really confidential,” explains Ruth Donahue, a benefits specialist in the Chicago office of human resources consultants The Segal Company.
One rehab guarantees that their drug rehabilitation experience will be completely confidential.
“Although sobriety is more important than any job, we can assure you that at Narconon Arrowhead your confidentiality is secure,” says Derry Hallmark, Senior Director for Expansion for Narconon Arrowhead. “We give you the tools to achieve sobriety and handle any stress which may arise in a work environment.”
Narconon Arrowhead is a long term, inpatient rehab which handles the full extent of the addiction, both mental and physical and has approximately a 70% success rate for permanent sobriety from heroin.
“After completing the Narconon program,” says Hallmark, “you will return to your job as a much more reliable and valuable employee.”
For more information on confidential drug rehabilitation for you or someone you know who is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction call Narconon Arrowhead today at 800-468-6933.