Addiction in the Construction Industry

Table of Contents

Construction workers face some of the highest rates of substance abuse and mental health issues in the U.S. industry. Recovery CNT offers expert outpatient detox and addiction care, designed specifically for the unique challenges of construction jobs.

Why Substance Abuse Is High in Construction

Construction jobs involve long hours, tough physical labor, and high injury risks. According to the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), over 7.6 million people work in construction.

  • Statistics:

    • 1st in marijuana use: 60.3%

    • 1st in pain reliever misuse: 22.6%

    • 1st in heroin use: 4.4%

    • 2nd in heavy drinking: 16.5%

    • 2nd in substance use disorders: 14.3%

    • 5th in illicit drug use: 11.6%

Opioids & Mental Health:

High rates of injury often mean opioid prescriptions for pain. Nearly 15% become long-term users, raising addiction risk tenfold. CDC reports that construction has one of the highest suicide rates among all U.S. industries nearly four times higher than the general population.

Key Causes of Addiction in Construction

  • Physical Pain: Injuries and chronic pain increase opioid use.

  • Work Stress: Long hours, rotating shifts, and pressure cause stress and sleep problems.

  • Industry Culture:Work hard, play hard” social habits normalize drinking and drug use.

  • Demographics: Over 90% male workforce higher risk for substance abuse.

The Impact on Workers and Companies

  • Highest mortality rate for drug and opioid overdoses in any sector.

  • Increased workplace accidents, injuries, and lost productivity.

  • Job retention and mental health are severely affected.

Effective Addiction Treatment for Construction Workers

Recovery CNT specializes in outpatient detox and addiction treatment for construction workers.

Our programs address alcohol, opioids, marijuana, painkillers, anesthetics (ketamine), benzos (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin), and stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse) without requiring workers to leave their homes or jobs.

Key Benefits:

  • Outpatient detox – no hospital stays

  • Covered by most insurance plans

  • Confidential, job-protected care

  • Flexible scheduling to fit construction shifts

  • Support for mental health and dual diagnosis

Get Help Today – Confidential, Expert Support for Construction Workers

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid, alcohol, or drug addiction in the construction industry, Recovery CNT can help.

[Call 732-484-9661 or Click Here for a Free, Confidential Consultation]






    FAQ

    What types of addiction treatment are available for construction workers?
    Outpatient detox, medication-assisted treatment, and mental health support, tailored to construction schedules and needs.

    Is treatment confidential and covered by insurance?
    Yes. All services are confidential, and most insurance plans are accepted.

    How do I get started?
    Call our team or complete the quick online form for a same-day confidential assessment.

    Our Locations
    Middlesex | West Orange | Freehold

    People Also Ask

    Q: What makes addiction rates so high in construction?
    A: High physical demands, injury risk, stressful work, and industry culture lead to elevated rates of substance abuse.

    Q: Can construction workers get addiction treatment without losing their jobs?
    A: Yes. Outpatient detox at Recovery CNT allows workers to stay on the job while getting the support they need.

    Recovery Centre for Network Therapy

    For Free Addiction Treatment With Insurance!

    Frequently Asked Questions on Alcohol withdrawal

    For Free Addiction Treatment With Insurance!

    When does alcohol withdrawal start?
    It differs from one individual to the other. The more heavily you drink alcohol, the more likely you are to be in dire need for alcohol withdrawal.

    When an individual has been consuming alcohol heavily for weeks, months, or years, he or she may experience physical and mental issues when they try to stop drinking alcohol. The combination of these uncomfortable effects is called alcohol withdrawal. Symptoms can range from mild to dangerous, depending on the length of use and amount of use.
An individual who has been consuming alcohol for a long period of time, but in limited quantities of irregularly, is unlikely to experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking alcohol. If an individual has experienced alcohol withdrawal once in their lifetime, they are more likely to experience it again when they stop drinking alcohol.

    Alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as tremors can last anywhere between three days to several weeks.
    The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal tend to start within 6 to 24 hours after the person’s last drink of alcohol.
    It depends on how long it takes your body to flush every trace of alcohol. 

    Alcohol is a “downer,” as it depresses an individual’s central nervous system. The functioning of the brain slows and it changes the way in which messages are sent back and forth from the brain.
Over time, the central nervous system of the person abusing alcohol adapts to having alcohol in the system all the time. The system works harder to keep the brain in a more awake state and the nerves communicating with one another.
When the individual abusing alcohol stops alcohol use abruptly, their brain stays in high gear and causes alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

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