The Dangers of Substance Abuse in the Workplace

The Dangers of Substance Abuse in the Workplace Addiction Drug Use Print The Dangers of Substance Abuse in the Workplace By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Updated on February 18, 2020 Juice Images Ltd / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Alcohol and drug abuse by employees cause many expensive problems for business and industry ranging from lost productivity, injuries, and an increase in health insurance claims.?? The loss to companies in the United States due to alcohol and drug-related abuse by employees totals $100 billion a year?, according to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI). These staggering numbers do not include the cost of diverting company resources, that could be used for other purposes, toward addressing substance abuse issues. Nor does it include the pain and suffering aspects, which cannot be measured in economic terms. Drinking and drugging among U.S. workers create costly medical, social, and other problems that affect both employees and employers. Substance abuse among employees can threaten public safety, impair job performance and threaten their own safety. Problems Caused in the Workplace In addition to deaths and accidents, absenteeism and loss of production, other problems that alcohol and drug abuse can cause on the job include: Tardiness/sleeping on the job??Hangover or withdrawal affecting job performancePoor decision makingLoss of efficiency??TheftLower morale of co-workersIncreased likelihood of having trouble with co-workers/supervisors or tasksPreoccupation with obtaining and using substances while at work, interfering with attention and concentrationIllegal activities at work including selling illicit drugs to other employeesHigher turnoverTraining of new employeesDisciplinary procedures Measuring the Costs of Substance Abuse However, costs to businesses can be measured at the expense of absenteeism, injuries, health insurance claims, loss of productivity, employee morale, theft, and fatalities. Impact of Drug and Alcohol Abuse According to NCADI statistics, alcohol and drug users:Are far less productive.Use three times as many sick days.Are more likely to injure themselves or someone else.Are five times more likely to file a workers compensation claim. One survey found that nine percent of heavy drinkers and 10 percent of drug users had missed work because of a hangover, six percent had gone to work high or drunk in the past year, and 11 percent of heavy drinkers and 18 percent of drug users had skipped work in the past month. Factors Contributing to Employee Substance Abuse Research has shown that several factors can contribute to problem drinking and drugging in the workplace. Factors that can encourage or discourage workplace substance abuse include: Workplace culture and acceptance of drinking/drugging??Workplace alienation??Availability of alcohol and drugsExistence and enforcement of workplace substance abuse policies Workplace Culture The culture of the workplace can play a large role  in whether drinking and drug use are accepted and encouraged or discouraged and inhibited. Part of this culture can depend on the gender mix of employees. In predominantly female occupations research shows that both male and female employees are less likely to have substance abuse problems compared to employees of both genders in male-dominated occupations.?? How the Effects of Alcoholism Differ in Men Studies have found that male-dominated occupations create heavy drinking cultures in which employees drink to build solidarity and show conformity. Therefore, these occupations have higher rates of alcohol- and drug-related problems.?? Any industry or organization can be affected by workplace alcoholism, but research shows it is prevalent in these industries: food service,?? construction, mining and drilling,?? excavation, installation, maintenance, and repair. Workplace Alienation Research shows that the job itself can contribute to higher rates of employee substance abuse. Work that is boring, stressful?? or isolating can contribute to employees drinking. Employee substance abuse has been linked to low job autonomy, lack of job complexity, lack of control over work conditions  and products, boredom, sexual harassment, verbal and physical aggression, and disrespectful behavior. Alcohol Availability The availability and accessibility of alcohol can influence employee drinking. More than two-thirds of the 984 workers surveyed at a large manufacturing plant said it was easy or very easy to bring alcohol into the workplace, to drink at workstations, and to drink during breaks. In cultures where alcohol is prohibited, drinking on the job and drinking, in general, is decreased significantly. Supervision The level of supervision on the job can affect drinking and drugging at work rates. A study of evening shift workers, when supervision was reduced, found that employees were more likely to drink at work than highly supervised shifts. Casual Drinkers Are a Problem, Too Remarkably,  research shows it is the social drinkers, not the hard-core alcoholics or problem drinkers, who are responsible for most of the lost productivity, according to a Christian Science Monitor article, specifically tying the hangover issue to production in the workplace?? What are the Symptoms of a Hangover? This study also found that it was managers, not hourly employees, who were most often drinking during the workday. And 21 percent of employees said their own productivity had been affected because of a co-workers drinking Twenty-three percent of upper managers and 11 percent of first-line supervisors reported having a drink during the workday, compared with only 8 percent of hourly employees. Prevention Works When the issue of workplace substance abuse is addressed by establishing comprehensive programs, it is a win-win situation for both employers and employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. A study of the economic impact of substance abuse treatment in Ohio found significant improvements in job-related performance: 91 percent decrease in absenteeism88 percent decrease in problems with supervisors93 percent decrease in mistakes in work97 percent decrease in on-the-job injuries. Companies and employers, large and small, can adopt a workplace substance abuse policy that will reduce the loss of productivity and provide a safer work environment for all. 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