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Understanding Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol is the most widely abused drug. Approximately 10% of the U.S. population has an alcohol problem, and nearly all people with an alcohol issue are employed and have a family. Signs of alcohol abuse include drinking to relax, having blackouts or forgetting what happened while drinking and increased alcohol use. Those who abuse alcohol may not as responsible at home or at work as they once were. They may also have legal issues such as DWIs. Financial stress can increase due to job loss and money spent on drinking. Alcohol problems affect job performance, creating absenteeism, tardiness and decreased performance. Alcoholics may experience tolerance, which is when a person has to drink more to get the same effect. 

Frontline Supervisor: Alcohol and Your Employees

Q. I was thinking of taking disciplinary action in response to my employee's conduct problems at work. She entered treatment for alcoholism, so I held off. Unfortunately, she quit treatment and went home. Should I quickly prepare the disciplinary action? If I don't, I think problems will continue. 

Adult Children of Alcoholics: Complicated Childhood, Complex Adulthood

Most of our childhoods were full of happiness, fulfillment and good memories. Even as adults we all have times when childhood memories beckon us to the point where we daydream and sometimes even hope that we could relive our youth. But for many, those childhood memories are not so good. Unhappy memories might include recollections of times when one (or sometimes both) of our parents or caregivers were under the influence of alcohol. 

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