Survey: 23 percent of Americans use drugs, alcohol at work
EDISON NJ March 31 2019
A new survey from DrugAbuse.com found that 23 percent of Americans use narcotics or alcohol while at work.
The survey also found that 60 percent of Americans admitted to drinking at work, 20 percent used marijuana and more than 10 percent admitted to using opioids.
“Seventy percent of people who have a drug and alcohol problem are employed,” says Brian McAlister, CEO of addiction recovery system Freedom 365. “These people are in your workplace…Addiction’s a 24/7 disease. It doesn’t take the afternoon off and it doesn’t go on a lunch break.”
Experts say that substance abuse by employees can cost a company a lot of money.
“It’s a drain on health care, it’s a drain on productivity…most workplace violence and sexual harassment is because they’re high on either alcohol or opiate or some other mind-altering substance,” McAlister says.
But McAlister says that there is some hope for those who are addicted to get help.
“With a minimal amount of investment and a community effort we can save businesses and family a heart of heartache,” he says.
More information about the survey can be found on DrugAbuse.com’s website.
