What is occupational prevention of addictive disorders?

An overview of the functions and benefits of occupational prevention of addictive disorders.

Addictions are among the most widespread diseases in virtually all societies and cultures, which is why research into these health disorders has been going on for many decades.

In fact, the difference between knowing or not knowing the mechanisms behind addictive disorders can mean the difference between facing a very serious social and health crisis or not.

In this sense, one of the first findings made through this research is that prevention is as or more beneficial than the ability to treat addictions once they have been consolidated. And intervention in work environments such as companies and organizations of all kinds is key to this. Let's see, then, what it consists of occupational prevention of addictive disorders.

What are Addiction Prevention Plans?

As the world is rapidly changing through technological and economic changes in a matter of a few years, addictions are taking on new forms and diversifying.

Therefore, knowing how to anticipate their effects is key, especially considering that treatment is a long and very complex process, that relapses are frequent, and that even those who have overcome an addiction must continue to take measures to avoid relapses for the rest of their lives.

Workplace prevention of addictions implies not overlooking the fact that addictive disorders often arise through poor management of emotions and work routines, and that even if they have their main cause outside the workplace, the company has the resources to act in time to prevent the disease from becoming entrenched.

Since 2008, the World Health Organization has been proposing a healthy company model that incorporates, among other things, protocols and measures to prevent drug use among workers. This stems from the idea that since the work context is one of the spaces in which employees spend the most hours throughout the week, it is important not only to take advantage of the potential of organizations to design and implement health programs, but it is also key to prevent the performance of work from leading to the development of addictive disorders.

However, many companies do not have a department associated with the Human Resources area capable of creating and implementing this type of measures, so it is very common for them to hire the services of psychologists and/or health centers in general. In this sense, many professional experts in the treatment of addictions develop Addiction Prevention Plans adapted to the needs and particularities of each company that requests it.

This area of work is related to Corporate Social Responsibility and occupational risk prevention.. That is, on the one hand, the Addiction Prevention Plans applied by companies have a positive impact on society in general, and on the other hand, they contribute to create a good working environment and minimize the likelihood of diseases arising from professional activity.

And of course, these measures help to maintain good working conditions in general, so that performance and efficiency problems are prevented. As a result, they bring benefits that are felt both inside and outside the company walls.

• You may be interested in, "What are the symptoms of addictions?"

Roles and processes of occupational prevention of addictive disorders

Although each organization designs addiction prevention protocols according to its characteristics, company philosophy and main sources of risk, in general the following areas of intervention stand out the following areas of intervention stand out:

• Information courses and protocols to detect symptoms and routines associated with addiction.

• Information sessions for senior and middle management on how to detect risk sources.

• Possibility of making consultations while ensuring the confidentiality of shared information

• Possibility of psychotherapy if necessary.

• Training in stress management techniques and strategies as an alternative to drug abuse relief

• Advice to the company's management on work dynamics to promote addiction prevention.

• Are you looking for psychology services in prevention or treatment of addictions?

  If you want to have the support of a team of expert professionals in the intervention against addictive disorders, contact us.

  In Llaurant la Llum we have health experts specialized in addictions and who intervene both from the field of psychotherapy and from the field of medicine and wellness. In addition to offering outpatient and inpatient treatment in our residential module, we also work for several companies providing training courses for employees, including preparing plans for

  Addiction Prevention in the workplace. You can find us in our health center located in Picassent (Valencia) or we can offer our services online.