Because the worker next to you may be drunk, high, or hungover. In the workplace, the problems of these substance abusers become your problems. They increase risk of accident, lower productivity, raise insurance costs, and reduce profits . And drug dependency takes more than one form.
Psychological dependency is equally responsible for compulsive drug use.
But substance abuse covers a range of behavior that goes far beyond dependency. Abuse may involve regular marijuana use, heavy drinking, weekend binges, casual consumption of tranquilizers, or misuse of other prescription drugs. It includes any use of drugs or alcohol that threatens physical or mental health, inhibits responsible personal relationships, or diminishes the ability to meet family, social, or vocational obligations. Substance abusers don't have to indulge on the job to have a negative impact on the work- place. Operating machinery under the influence of alcohol or drugs is clearly high-risk.