New Study Shows Nearly 1 in 10 Young Workers Use Alcohol or Drugs at Work: How Employers Can Respond

New Study Shows Nearly 1 in 10 Young Workers Use Alcohol or Drugs at Work: How Employers Can Respond

By Sandra Serrano

A recent study conducted by researchers at The Ohio State University revealed that nearly 9% of young U.S. workers admit to using alcohol or drugs in the workplace. The findings, published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine and based on 2015-16 data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (which included 5,465 young employees), highlight the urgent need for employers to proactively address substance use on the job and create supportive environments that encourage recovery and well-being.

Key Findings from the Study:

• Approximately 8.9% of workers in their 30s reported using alcohol or drugs either at work or within a few hours before starting their shifts.
• Alcohol was the most commonly reported substance (5.6%), followed by marijuana (3.1%), and other drugs such as cocaine (0.8%).
• Substance use was highest in the food preparation/service industry and in safety-sensitive occupations including construction, installation, maintenance, repair, transportation, and material movement—roles often characterized by irregular hours, physical demands, and high stress.

Why It Matters: Substance use in the workplace poses serious risks to safety, productivity, and overall employee health. It can also expose companies to legal liabilities and reputational harm. More importantly, many individuals who struggle with substance use are in need of understanding and support to get back on track. Lead author Sehun Oh from Ohio State University’s College of Social Work emphasized that “it’s easy to blame someone for using substances, but we want to pay attention to understanding their working conditions and barriers at the workplace.”

How ASAP Can Help Employers Build Recovery-Friendly Workplaces: At American Substance Abuse Professionals (ASAP), we believe that addressing substance use in the workplace requires more than just enforcement—it requires compassion, education, and access to resources. ASAP partners with employers to:

• Develop Comprehensive Substance Use Policies: We help organizations create clear, legally compliant policies that set expectations while prioritizing safety and well-being.
• Implement Recovery-Friendly Programs: Our team can help design recovery-friendly workplace SAP Referral Programs that support employees through their journey, including access to a nationwide network of DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs).
• Provide Training & Education: We offer training for HR teams, supervisors, and staff on how to recognize signs of substance misuse and how to approach these situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: For DOT-regulated employers, as well as state compliance, we provide expert guidance on meeting all federal/state requirements while supporting employees through the Return-to-Duty process or a Recovery-Friendly Program.

The Path Forward: The study underscores the need for proactive solutions that not only reduce substance use but also foster a culture of care and accountability. Research suggests that comprehensive workplace substance use policies combined with supportive services produce the greatest benefits in reducing employee substance use. By partnering with ASAP, employers can create safer workplaces and give employees the tools they need to succeed—both on and off the job.