For anyone entering drug rehab, emotions can range from fear to anger, from nervousness to gratitude for those who are thankful that they have finally found a pathway to escaping their drug addiction. Those who become addicted to drugs and speak about their experience of drug addiction will each point to one or more triggers that they recognise as the starting point.

Some will have childhood traumas, others may have been in abusive relationships, some may simply have been mixing with the wrong crowd as teenagers and some will cite the stress of their jobs that ignited their drug-taking. This will often have been as a result of things happening in their workplace, but what of those who work from home?

You might be shocked to learn that working from home can be the trigger for someone starting to take drugs. Given the recent past when many of us had no choice but to work from home due to Covid-19, there is no doubt that the number of those working from home falling into a spiral of drug-taking has increased.

Now, you might be someone who has dreamed of a job that allows you to work from home and cannot think why anyone would turn to drugs working from the comfort of their lounge. However, despite its many positive aspects, working at home form also has downsides, and dealing with these downsides can be the trigger.

The downsides we are referring to are that working from home removes many of the positives of working in a factory or an office with others creates. Some people depend on these for their mental well-being. When they end because they now work at home, their mental state weakens, and they turn to drugs. Some of the workplace positives that many refer to include:

• Chatting with colleagues
• Camaraderie amongst workmates
• Feeling part of a team
• Working towards collective goals
• Fun and humour at work
• Social occasions with colleagues
• Sharing good/bad news
• One to one support from supervisors/managers

Unbelievably, there are even those working from home who say they miss the daily commute to work and back. Whether you hate or love commuting to work, hopefully, you agree that the positives listed of working with others can support mental wellbeing. Further, removing these could have a negative impact and in worst cases, some will try drugs to replace whatever ‘buzz’ they got from going to work.

Thankfully, there are some simple ways you can replace some of the positives at work to a degree, whilst working from home.

Reallocate Your Commute Time To Something Positive: Exercise for the time, take the dog out for a walk, study a self-help course or best of all, spent some bonus quality time with your kids

Stay In Contact With Your Colleagues: You may have to do this anyway for your work which helps, but if not, quick Zoom calls during breaks and lunchtime will help. You can also arrange regular group chats to stay in touch with everyone.

Take Your Usual Breaks: No one’s work is as good as it could be if they simply plough on without a break. Have your coffee and lunch breaks as normal and remember to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Create A Daily To-Do List: If you have something to focus on and to drive towards achieving, then it stops your mind from wandering, especially to negatives. You also get a great sense of hachement each day once you cross everything off your to-do list.