Large numbers of changes in employment have been known to be a red flag to substance addiction (excepting seasonal or project-based businesses such as farming or movies). If these changes are due to problems at work, addiction is likely.
This is especially true since 85% of alcoholics and 70% of illegal drug users are employed. Of course, before termination, addicts are probably the cause of many interpersonal problems in the workplace. This hypothesis is at least partially confirmed by a NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.) report. A year after the employees at the Oldsmobile plant in Lansing, Michigan underwent drug/alcohol treatment, man-hours lost " declined by 49 per cent, health care benefits [used] by 29 per cent, leaves [of absence] by 56 per cent, grievances by 78 per cent, disciplinary problems by 63 per cent and accidents by 82 per cent." Note especially the grievances and accidents. These are particularly compelling numbers in view of the fact that many alcoholics may have gone undetected, while many in recovery (with only a year of sobriety) would still be in post-acute withdrawal. During early sobriety, many of the symptoms of active alcoholism often continue."