As per the Construction Financial Management Association, CFMA, the construction industry employs more than 7.6 million people in the U.S. Long hours, hard work and increased odds for injury can all contribute to two challenges the construction industry is working hard to address substance abuse and mental health.
The statistics on drug and alcohol abuse in the construction industry in America are alarming:
- Fifth in illicit drug use at 11.6%
- Second in both heavy drinking (16.5%) and substance use disorders (14.3%)
- First in marijuana use (60.3%), pain reliever abuse (22.6%) and heroin use (4.4%)
Opioid use and abuse have been an especially challenging problem in construction. High injury rates mean workers are often prescribed opioids for pain relief. Research shows that around 15% of individuals taking these drugs become
long-term users, increasing their chances of developing an addiction by more than 10 times. A 2020 study noted that 83% of construction workers experienced a mental health issue, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that men working in construction have one of the highest suicide rates as compared to all other industries. The rate of suicide in construction is about four times higher than the general population.
What contributes to high rates of drug & alcohol abuse in the construction industry?
Physical Demands: The labour-intensive nature of construction work often leads to injuries and chronic pain, increasing the risk of opioid use
Work Environment: Long hours, irregular schedules, and high-stress conditions contribute to substance abuse
Demographics: Over 90% of construction workers are male, a demographic more prone
to substance abuse
Industry Culture: The "work hard, play hard" mentality and after-work socializing often
involve alcohol consumption
The consequences of high drug and alcohol dependence:
- Construction workers have the highest mortality rates for drug overdose deaths and prescription opioid-related overdose deaths.
- Substance abuse significantly increases the risk of workplace accidents and injuries.
- Productivity and job retention are negatively impacted by substance abuse issues.
Addressing substance abuse in the construction industry requires a multi-faceted approach, including prevention programs, improved access to treatment, and changes in workplace culture to prioritize mental health and well-being. On the treatment front, the Center for Network Therapy specializes in treating construction workers and is at the forefront of vastly increasing access to treatment for construction workers by making Outpatient Detox available for all substances, alcohol, opiates, marijuana, anaesthetics (ketamine), benzos (Klonopin, Xanax, Valium) and stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse). Now construction workers don’t have to leave the comfort of their homes to access addiction treatment. We address alcohol withdrawal, opiate withdrawal, benzo withdrawal, anaesthetic withdrawal, and stimulant withdrawal on an outpatient basis.