Alcohol and other drugs

For some small business owners, drinking or using other substances can become a form of self-medication to cope with the long work hours, fatigue and stress of running a business.

Left unchecked, this behaviour can not only impact on your general health and relationships, it can become problematic in the workplace.

There are a variety of legal and illegal drugs that people can develop an addiction to, from alcohol and medications such as painkillers, to illicit substances such as marijuana, cocaine or methamphetamine. Being affected by these substances, as well as the after effects such as come-down and withdrawal, can impact a person’s ability to work safely and effectively. It can also lead to absences from work and a loss of productivity.

What to look out for

If you are drinking or using drugs excessively or feel like you need alcohol or drugs to get through the day – you may need to seek support.

Some other things to look out for include:

• Spending a lot of time thinking about taking, or recovering from drinking or other substances
• Sweating, nausea or insomnia when not drinking or taking drugs
• Wanting to drink or take drugs as soon as you wake up
• Drinking or taking drugs on your own or hiding it from others.

Tips to reduce the impact of alcohol or other drugs

• Take note of how much you are using and when: There are a number of apps and tools for tracking how much you’re drinking or using.
• Seek help for underlying mental health problems: It is not uncommon for people to use alcohol or other drugs to “self-medicate” for other underlying issues. Conversely, drinking or drug use can put you at higher risk for mental health problems. If you are concerned about your mental health, you can visit your GP who can help you set up a Mental Health Care Plan for further treatment and support.
• Avoid people who promote or enable the problem: Think about the people in your life who you only spend time with when drinking/using, or who encourage you to do so. Consider whether your relationship would exist without alcohol or drugs, and if it's time to re-evaluate the relationship.
• Prioritise self-care: If you find yourself with the urge to drink or use, think of some alternatives to how you might use that time. For example, you could try and connect with others, get some exercise, take some down time to read a book, or do something else that relaxes your mind and body.
• Reach out for support: There are a number of resources and services available to people dealing with problematic drug or alcohol use. You might want to talk to a trusted friend or family member first or go straight to your GP for support and a referral.