FACTS
- Jobs that carry higher rates of stress expose workers to a greater degree of personal harm or danger are inside red to be blue-collar jobs.
- Studies indicate that workers may feel more compelled to seek relief through self-medication in jobs where fatigue, depression, fear, or shame is common.
- Substance abuse is often viewed by many as a coping mechanism. Due to the high stress of numerous industries, many people resort to drug or alcohol use to cope with their jobs.
- Substance abuse is a growing issue due to availability of drugs and alcohol, job isolation, mental health in and outside of work, stress, social culture.
STATISTICS
- Some 70 percent of the estimated 14.8 million Americans who use illegal drugs are employed, and workers who report having three or more jobs in the previous five years are about twice as likely to be current or past year users of illegal drugs as those who have had two or fewer jobs.
- In the U.S. workforce, the rate of amphetamines (found in drugs like Adderall), marijuana, and heroin detection have increased annually for the past five years. Cocaine use was up 12% from 2015, reaching a seven-year high.
- About 16% of employees live with a substance use disorder. This study reported that the highest rate of prescription pain medication disorders is among workers in the services sector. Researchers divide the $81 billion spent per year on drug abuse in the workplace into three categories:
- Absenteeism
- Healthcare costs
- Lost productivity
- An estimated 80% of drug users supported their drug use by stealing from their place of employment. From opioids to alcohol, prescription medications to recreational drugs, workers take drastic measures to conceal their addiction.