Effects of Drug Abuse on Jobs

An estimated 17.9 million people abuse substances in the United States, according to the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and 12.9 million of them are employed either full or part time. Substance abusers, a high-risk population, do not leave their problems at home when they arrive at the workplace. Substance abuse costs employers millions annually, and OSHA strongly recommends and supports comprehensive programs to decrease the incidence and risks of substance abuse in the workplace.

Affected Industries

• According to OSHA research, certain industries are at greater risk of encountering substance abuse by their workers. The accommodations, food services and construction industries have a higher incidence of substance abuse than are found in the utilities industry, educational services or public administration groups.

Absentees and Tardies

• Substance-abusing employees miss more days of work and are late more often than their colleagues. Substance abusers are especially likely to miss Mondays and Fridays, either recovering from a weekend of using alcohol or drugs or preparing for one.

Accidents

• Substance-abusing employees experience more work-related accidents than others. OSHA estimates that from 10 percent to 20 percent of persons who die at work test positive for alcohol or other drugs when screened.

Loss Productivity

• Substance-abusing workers are less productive than their colleagues. They are sick and lack motivation more often. Substance abusers also lose more productive hours of work time due to absenteeism and tardiness.

Additional Costs

• Substance-abusing employees cost employers and insurance companies more due to increased physical problems and accidents that occur more frequently than within the general population. Substance abusers miss work more often, thus costing employers more money in sick leave and pay for work that is not actually being performed.