Substance abuse related to employee theft often begins with stealing?

• A. Food from coworkers.
• B. Office supplies.
• C. Cash from register.
• D. Electronic devices.

Answer: (A)

When substance abuse is involved in theft, the actions tend to start small and easy to hide. Food from coworkers fits that pattern because it’s readily available in the work setting, inexpensive, and can be quickly consumed to satisfy cravings or provide a quick relief from withdrawal. Because it’s a consumable and often appears as a minor, personal lapse, it’s easier for someone to rationalize or explain away than taking cash or high-value items.

Escalation in theft often follows a progression: once the habit grows, the thief may move to slightly higher-value but still accessible items like office supplies, and only later to cash or electronics. Those latter targets require more planning, access, and carry higher risk if detected, so they’re less likely to be the initial act in a pattern linked to substance abuse.

So, starting with food from coworkers aligns with the typical early-stage behavior researchers and security professionals look for in substance-abuse–related theft, before the theft escalates to more valuable targets.