Workplace substance abuse/addiction problems prevention: Bio-psychological and social approaches and implications for theory and practice

Title : Workplace substance abuse/addiction problems prevention: Bio-psychological and social approaches and implications for theory and practice

Abstract:

The workplace is filled with different stressors and people with different abilities to adjust to stress as well as different coping mechanisms. Substance abuse which often culminates into addiction problems orchestrated by the work-related elements among different categories of workers in the work settings deserves more attention. Hence, the paper examines the prevalent of substance abuse/addiction problems in workplace and explores the preventive measures based on alternative approach. The paper considers motivations and indicators of substance abuse/addiction problems among employees and its implications for self-efficacy, work attitude and in the long run productivity. Based on the challenges which substance abuse/addiction problems posed to the workplace, the article proffers solution in terms of preventive measure using the template of bio-psychological and social approaches. The implications of these approaches for theories and practice are discussed. It is recommended that personality test should be made compulsory at the point of entry for all categories of workers and the test be conducted regularly.

Keywords: Workplace; Substance Abuse; Addiction Problems; Work-related Elements; Bio-psychological Approach; Social Approach and Personality Test.

Biography:

Dr. Ayinde Adeboye Titus is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He joined the department in March 2003 as a Graduate Assistant. He was promoted to his present position on 1^st October 2016. Dr. Ayinde is an effective teacher and motivated researcher. He is a dedicated counsellor and a motivational speaker. His area of interest is Industrial-Organizational and Occupational Health Psychology. He already has a number of publications in local and international peer reviewed journals and contributions to books in related area. He has attended and presented papers in conferences both at local and international levels. He has been a member of many crucial departmental and faculty committees. He is presently the Acting Head of Department and Member of Faculty Quality Assurance and Monitoring Committee. He is a Member of Nigeria Psychological Association, Graduate Affiliate of American Psychological Society, Member of International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS), Foundational full Member, Nigerian Association of Industrial and Organisational Psychologists (NAIOP) and Member, Employee Assistance Professional Association of Nigeria (EAPAN). Dr. Ayinde is happily married and blessed with children.