Addictions in the Workplace

• Are you concerned about an employee?
• Are you curious about your own relationship with drink/drugs/gambling/stress?
• Would you like to promote awareness and healthy habits at work?

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy in a High Court decision in October 2004 stated, "An employer who offers a confidential advice service, with referral to appropriate counselling, or treatment services, is unlikely to be found in breach of duty." (EAPA Ireland)

The line between pleasure and pain can be hard to identify when grappling with addiction and employers have a duty of care to comply with the SHWW Act 2005 when it comes to recognising problems amongst employees. What was once a social prop can all too easily become a destructive habit.

Furthermore, many addictions and compulsions run unrecognised: substance abuse is more obvious (though still hard to pinpoint sometimes if the habit is very covert) and sometimes the addiction can be based on other habits such as compulsive working or compulsive risk taking/gambling. All addictions and especially the latter are not only destructive to the individual concerned, but to the team around the individual.

Xenergie provides support and will assist you in the following ways:

• Educational seminars and programmes for employees about recognising and coping with addictive habits in themselves and others
• 1-1 confidential advice and counselling - we work in partnership with addiction treatment centres such as Forest Healthcare in Co Wicklow and Bushy Park in Ennis to refer clients as appropriate and help with follow-up support once the client has completed a programme.
• Vitality programmes to support physical well-being post-treatment
• Critical stress recovery and life coaching/retreat programme for compulsive workers

For confidential advice and a consultation please call Lorna McDowell on +353 (091) 635 583. Lorna is a member of EAPA Ireland and a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, experienced in addiction.

For more information, contact Xenergie.