Last updated : December 16, 2024
When business owners look for potential employees, they should generally be looking for individuals who are capable, fast learners who will eventually be worth more to the company than their initial time and training investment. With those criteria in mind, it becomes fairly obvious that drug abuse would impede an employee from reaching their true potential and considering that prescription drug abuse is the United States’ most widespread problem, one should be educated about their effects and the dangers of having someone who is addicted to them in your workplace. Below are some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs and information about their abuse.
Oxycontin
Oxycontin is a widely use opiate, meaning that it is derived from opium produced in opium poppies. The opiate family contains other drugs such as morphine and heroin and they are amongst the most physically and mentally addictive chemicals due to their unique biochemical properties and the resulting intense euphoric feelings. Aside from the feelings of well-being, the drug itself has been shown to trigger respiratory failure and other long-term health effects like liver failure. The drug poses a very tangible threat to those in construction or any other profession that includes operating heavy machinery like trucks, assembly lines, etc. as it slows reaction time and makes a user very prone to mistakes that can cause injuries and fatalities.
Concerta/Ritalin
Concerta and Ritalin are prescriptions for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and have been heavily prescribed for the disorder since the early 1990’s. It, along with other ADHD/ADD drugs, has become a commonly abused drug by adults for its long-lasting energy boost and the alertness it creates in users. Concerta and Ritalin specifically are relatively harmless in terms of addiction despite their chemical similarity to cocaine and methamphetamine as numerous clinical trials have shown no risk of physical dependence. Mentally, though, the drugs have shown long-term mental effects including psychosis and schizophrenia, making it a concern for ADHD adults and children and adult abusers.
Ambien
Ambien, or zolpidem, is a sleep-inducing drug and has become a target for abuse due to its hallucinogenic properties when taken in large dosages. Heavy usage followed by abrupt withdrawal can cause seizures and delirium, much like other prescription drugs, namely Xanax and other benzodiazepines.
Zoloft
Zoloft is an anti-depressant drug that has become a popularly abused drug due to its numbing and emotionally calming effects. It is most commonly used for acute depression as well as bipolar disorder, so it is very effective in disconnecting the user from reality. It can cause mania and intense anger in heavy users, especially following withdrawal.
Adderall
Adderall is chemically identical to methamphetamine and its potential for abuse is just as dangerous as the street drug. Adderall has been shown to cause numerous negative side effects due to unnecessary stress on the heart and body, namely premature aging, potential organ failure, muscle breakdown, and seizures. Amphetamines have also been definitively shown to cause psychosis, including audio and visual hallucinations, in which 15% of those affected never recover.
Now that you know the facts concerning these dangerous addictions, contact the USA Mobile Drug Testing of Atlanta and make sure that your workforce is operating at maximum efficiency. No one can afford to take the chance that a dangerous drug addict is present in the workplace as it can, at the very least, lead to unwanted tension, and at the worst, lead to violent altercations and put your employees at risk. Needless to say, these drugs cause an unwanted liability and it is your responsibility to protect yourself from the problems they cause.
