What Professions Have The Highest Rates Of Substance Misuse?

Professions with the highest rates of substance misuse may include food service workers, construction workers, entertainment industry workers, miners, and managers.

Common risk factors in these professions can include long hours of work, high-stress work environments, and easy access to alcohol or drugs.

Drug and alcohol abuse inside and outside the American workplace can cause increased rates of absenteeism, poor work performance, and a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder. 

If a substance use disorder is affecting your work performance, you can reach out to an addiction treatment program.

Food Service Workers

Workers in the food service industry have high rates of substance abuse.

According to a 2015 report from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 18 percent of food service workers engaged in drug abuse in the past month. About 17 percent of workers had a substance use disorder in the past year.

Food service workers may work long hours, work with customers face-to-face, and struggle with low pay. These factors may contribute to the high rates of addiction and illicit drug use in food service workers.

Construction Workers

Construction workers may be more likely to abuse alcohol compared to other professions.

About 16 percent of workers in the construction industry engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month. Heavy alcohol use, or heavy drinking, involves drinking more than 5 alcoholic drinks per day.

Heavy alcohol consumption is a risk factor for alcohol use disorder. About 14 percent of construction workers had a substance use disorder in the past year. High-stress, dangerous work environments, and physical labor can cause construction workers to self-medicate with alcohol.

Miners

Workers in the mining industry may have the highest rates of heavy alcohol use. In the 2015 NSDUH report, almost 18 percent of miners engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month.

However, miners had lower rates of illicit drug use and substance use disorders compared to several other industries.

Miners may work in dangerous, high-stress environments, which can be a risk factor for heavy alcohol consumption.

Entertainment Industry Workers

Americans in the entertainment and art industry may have high rates of substance use and alcohol abuse.

Actors, producers, and assistants may work in high-stress environments with long work hours. Actors may also constantly receive exposure from the public with little privacy.

Many high-profile actors have opened up about their battles with alcohol or drug addiction. Although these actors can be successful, their struggles may show that alcohol and drug abuse can affect people from all walks of life.

Managers

According to the 2015 NSDUH report, people who work in management positions may have high rates of illicit drug use, and moderately high rates of alcohol abuse.

The reason people in management may have a higher prevalence of illicit drug use compared to the general population is unknown. However, managers may have higher incomes than the general population, and may buy illicit drugs easily.

More research is likely needed to show a link between management positions and substance abuse.

Risks Of Substance Misuse In The Workplace

Abusing drugs or alcohol can lead to poor work performance, increased rates of absences, worsening mental health, and an increased risk of workplace accidents.

Even if you abuse drugs outside of work, you may experience withdrawal symptoms and worsening well-being. These side effects can affect your mood, cognition, and ability to function at work.

Many workplaces may offer medical leave for people struggling with a substance use disorder. You may need to inform your employer properly to take medical leave.

Treatment

High rates of alcohol abuse and illicit drug use in high-stress industries, such as food service and construction, may be well-documented. However, substance abuse can occur in any industry, including healthcare, law enforcement, and sales industries.

Even if you are financially stable with a successful career, easy access to alcohol or drugs in your life can lead to long-term substance abuse problems. If you or a loved one abuse alcohol or drugs and it affects your work, consider treatment at Ohio Recovery Center.

We offer evidence-based treatment options for drug and alcohol addictions. We can assess your specific needs and create a treatment plan that works for you. We can also answer any questions you have about entering rehab while you are still employed. To learn more, contact us today.