When you think of the factors of drug addiction, there is a high chance that you hardly think of work environments as one of them. You are more likely to focus on peer pressure, family history, early use, and other commonly quoted factors.
Interestingly, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) published a study, which pointed out the rate of substance use amongst workers in various industries over time.1 Though the study mostly took an economic approach, it brings to light a factor of substance abuse, which repeatedly eludes people’s minds. It revealed a trend in substance use and substance use disorder among persons working fulltime in given industries, aimed at letting key industry players see a need to correct the pattern.
With a view of the substance use patterns in these industries, you should be able to assess yourself and determine how your job is contributing to your substance use.
What is Substance Use Disorder?
Put simply, substance use disorder (SUD) is the persistent abuse of or dependence on illicit drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, or other addictive substances, despite adverse effects on one’s wellbeing. When you find yourself craving to use an addictive substance frequently or experience withdrawal symptoms when not using, you have probably stepped into the thresholds of substance use disorder. At this point, your body is likely to have developed a high tolerance for the substance, influencing you to consume more than you usually would have.
SUD is a medical condition often characterized by depression, anxiety, chaotic lifestyle, low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorder, or other mental problems.2
Is Your Job A Risk Factor Of Substance Use?
Before we take a look into the probability of your job contributing to your substance use disorder, it is necessary to identify what makes you want to imbibe. What are the conditions that are most likely to influence your need to partake?
You might realize that aside from the common social, familial, and individual factors, there is another factor you have probably not taken into account before – the work factor.
Work stressors as a basis for substance use have been probed repeatedly by different researchers in a bid to find an evidential connection between both. Sure enough, almost all the studies substantiate the link between the two.
A study of different work environments across several industries observed that:
- Work stressors influenced the use of alcohol and illicit drugs before work, during work hours, and after work hours.3 This bracketed the scopes of stress-induced substance use, and substance use as a gateway to tension reduction.
- Long work hours greatly influence the chances of having a craving to imbibe.4 An example was made of nurses and midwives who are more likely to work for very long hours, sometimes more than 12 hours at a go. This also extends to other professionals in armed forces, firefighting, agriculture, hospitality, emergency workers, etc., who are more likely to want to take something to stay alert or cool off after a long day.
Considering the two points above, you should be able to conduct a self-assessment and determine whether your job is contributing to your substance use disorder. While the SAMHSA study placed accommodation/food services and construction industries at the top tier of industries with most substance use disorders, the trend is one that comes with exceptions.
The statistics enveloped all the industries in the United States, and in each sector, some people made up the percentile of substance use disorders. Educational service is at the bottom of the table, with 5.5 percent of full-time employees having SUD when the study was carried out. Despite the seemingly low percentage, when thoroughly considered, it encompasses a large number of people.
Given the stress associated with working in modern times, it is easy to see why work stress can push people into indulging in substance use. When analyzing your work environment, there are a few questions that might help you streamline your assessment.
Thus:
- How often do you partake in substance use around work hours or your work environment? Consider the times before work hours, during work hours, after work hours, or work break. Research has shown that sometimes employees tend to indulge so they would be able to face the stress of the day or binge drink after a long workday.
- What are the aspects of your job that make you want to use drugs such as antidepressants, opioids, or similar substances? For example, the creative freedom surrounding the arts and entertainment industry have been shown to contribute to a high rate of substance user amongst the workers. Meanwhile, those in legal professions mostly indulge as a coping mechanism for the demands of billable hours and clients’ around-the-clock imposition.5
Following the questions above, you can see the applicable influence of certain work conditions on substance use. The bait placed by addictive substances is one that holds no regard for status or background – it can trap anybody. Doctors can abuse prescription drugs due to ease of access, and as a means of relieving stress and emotional trauma.6 Even D.E.A and police officers can be trapped into substance use, due to the high level of mental and situational stress, as well as extended hours they put in at work.
Break away from the trap; Get help
Many organizations and companies that understand the need to take care of their employees’ mental and physical health adopt the necessary steps to incorporate recovery programs in their structure. If that’s a benefit that is not available to you, through an Employee Assistance program for instance, and you are struggling with substance use, this is the time to opt for a drug detox program.
Don’t let your job contribute to the substance use disorder that might costs you your job. Take a few days off work and enroll for a personalized and highly effective detox and recovery plan so that you can return to work healthier than before.