Evaluation of a workshop to address drugs and alcohol in the workplace

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-05-2018-0064
• Date: 04 February 2019
• Published date: 04 February 2019
• Pages: 2-14
• Author: Ann Roche,Victoria Kostadinov,Alice McEntee,Julaine Allan,Nicholas Meumann,Lara McLaughlin
• Subject Matter: Health & social care,Healthcare management,HR & organizational behaviour,Human resource policy,Employee welfare

Evaluation of a workshop

to address drugs and alcohol

in the workplace

Ann Roche, Victoria Kostadinov and Alice McEntee

National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University,

Adelaide, Australia, and

Julaine Allan, Nicholas Meumann and Lara McLaughlin

Lives Lived Well, Gold Coast, Australia

Abstract

Purpose –Risky alcohol and other drug (AOD) use is ubiquitous in some workplace cultures, and is

associated with considerable risks to health, safety and productivity. A workplace drug and alcohol first aid

program was developed to support supervisors and managers to recognize and respond appropriately to

AOD problems, increase knowledge of AOD and reduce the stigma associated with AOD. The purpose of this

paper is to undertake an evaluation to assess the program’s efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach –A self-report survey was administered to program participants before (T1),

immediately after (T2) and three months following program completion (T3). Changes in alcohol/drug-related

knowledge, role adequacy, motivation and personal views were examined using repeated measures ANOVA.

Findings –A total of 109 participants took part in the program, with only 26 completing scores at all three

time points. Mean scores increased significantly (po0.05) between T1 and T2 for knowledge (12.7–16.0),

role adequacy (11.8–17.4), motivation (9.7–10.4) and personal views (9.0–9.6). Significant improvements were

maintained at T3 for knowledge (15.1) and role adequacy (17.3).

Practical implications –Drug and alcohol first aid programs offer a potentially valuable initiative to

improve the knowledge, skills and understanding of managers and supervisors in tackling workplace AOD

risks, associated stigma and improving help seeking.

Originality/value –Workplace programs for managers can facilitate organization-wide responses to the

reduction of AOD-related problems, increase implementation of appropriate policy and interventions,

minimize associated harms and stigma and reduce negative imposts on productivity and profit.

Keywords Workplace health, Wellness interventions, Substance abuse

Paper type Research paper

Introduction

Businesses are increasingly aware of the importance of worker health, safety and

well-being for organizational functioning. One area of growing concern is employee

alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. AOD use among workers is both highly prevalent and

associated with significant harms (Pidd et al., 2011; Frone, 2006; Pulido et al., 2017; Gates

et al., 2013; Nicholson and Mayho, 2016). AOD use increases the risk of physical and

mental health problems (World Health Organization, 2014; van Amsterdam et al., 2015,

Roxburgh et al., 2011) and in the workplace context has been associated with injuries,

decreased productivity, absenteeism/presenteeism and antisocial behaviors (Spicer et al.,

2003; de Graff et al., 2012; French et al., 2011). These issues may arise as a consequence of

acute intoxication and impairment, residual “hangover”effects from previous AOD

consumption, and/or chronic health conditions related to long-term AOD use (Gjerde et al.,

2010; Rehm et al., 2003).

International Journal of Workplace

Health Management

Vol. 12 No. 1, 2019

pp. 2-14

© Emerald PublishingLimited

1753-8351

DOI 10.1108/IJWHM-05-2018-0064

Received 20 May 2018

Revised 7 September 2018

Accepted 25 October 2018

The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:

www.emeraldinsight.com/1753-8351.htm

Julaine Allan, Nicholas Meumann and Lara McLaughlin are employed by Lyndon and were involved with

workshop development and implementation. The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction

was funded by Lyndon to conduct the evaluation. There are no other conflicts of interest to declare.

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