Addicted to cough syrup

[Joalbert]

I have a co-worker that allways drinks cough syrup like it was water. Is it considered an addiction, if so how can I confront him without being rude. Please help.
p.s. he drinks it at breaks and sometimes he even brings it with him during work, he doesn't have any cough or anything.

[Joalbert]

Oh yeah I forgot, he also takes codeine medication.

[anjel75]

Is it getting in the way of his work? I don't know if this is your problem to handle. When I take cough med., it is the same for me. I don't use a spoon or anything. I take the med at the first sign of a cough so you may not would have heard me cough either. You are supposed to take meds like that at the first signs for optimum results.

[anjel75]

That is really getting into anothers business which can in turn, cause problems for you. You don't want to cause youself any anguish or anxiety over what he is doing. Maybe so. I don't know. Are you wanting to stop him from doing it or... I don't know, what's your motive?

[DAnthrope]

Just my opinion, but unless it's affecting his work, which is highly subjective and it already sounds like your opinion is biased against him, then I'd say it's not your call to make.  It's not necessarily illegal, and the morality isn't a decision a coworker should be making for him.  I dunno, but I certainly would wonder why you feel it's up to you to confront him.  Be prepared for some potentially harsh feedback.  

Or you can do what dyblue suggests and risk that A: he's getting high and you might become an enemy worth robbing or B: he's not getting high and you've earned an enemy for life (who can probably make your life at work a living hell), or even C: he's getting high and is psycho and will seek revenge for the offense.  Not sure I see a bright side to taking that advice!

Peace
/D

[anjel75]

I SO  agree with that! If he has a cough that he is treating with this med and you accuse him.... Yeah, you have just made yourself an enemy. As far as all of the other things an enemy can do to you, I don't know, but you are getting it straight here.... Wanna put yourself in that position? Are you up for that?

[Marce4]

I have to agree wi;t;h the others....even if your intentions are true, the addict is the only one that can a) realized that they have an addcition and b) make the decision to stop. Either way you are in a lose/lose situation. Just my opinion!

[Mariyah2]

I would not say anything to him. This would be considered violating the HIPPA laws and can result in a lawsuit. He could have a medical problem that you do not know about. It is very risky for you (employment wise) and I would never say anything about this to another co-worker. Word gets around pretty quickly in a Company and you would be the one going to Human Resources. :0) Enjoy your weekend.
M

[anjel75]

Well, technically, not a HIPAA issue. The only way it would be is if she knew something like from his medical record or something, that she was going to him with. She doesn't know a reason. Ethically? That is a different issue. So, technically, not against the law but against most peoples morals.

[Mariyah2]

I am looking at it from a different perspective. If you talk appt another persons health issue (possible addiction to drugs) it is considered a violation of their privacy. The fact that the employee saw the co-worker taking prescription medication is knowledge of a health condition.  I am just going from a meeting that I attended regarding this. It can get very sticky and technical if an employee wants to bring charges. :0) This is how I understand it and I could be wrong.

[Joalbert]

Well i'm not sure if it affects the way he thinking when he's working, but it takes him double the time to do his job. The reason, I think, that he's taking codeine pills it's because of his arm, he had a car accident long time ago. I just wasn't sure if I should confront him, I was just concerned thats all.But I guess I won't be saying anything.
Thanks everyone