Industry-Specific Materials

Research indicates that some industries have higher rates of substance abuse among workers than others, generally because demographic variations in drug and alcohol problems among workers mirror demographic variations in drug and alcohol problems across the rest of American society. Thus, drug and alcohol abuse is more prevalent in industries traditionally dominated by males, and industries with a large number of young workers experience higher rates of problem drinking than industries with a different or broader age demographic.

The good news is that more and more employers, ranging from large multinational corporations to small locally owned businesses, are implementing drug-free workplace programs to ensure productive workforces and safe workplaces — company features that ultimately result in increased profitability and success.

The following fact sheets provide statistics about workplace substance abuse as it affects a range of industries:

Construction

Almost every aspect of our lives is touched in some way by the construction industry, and America's builders enjoy a long and rich history of designing and erecting landmarks recognizable the world over. Clearly, construction workers who abuse alcohol and other drugs are dangerous not only to themselves, but also to their colleagues and the general public. Safety in the construction industry is paramount, and for this reason many construction firms across the country are challenging themselves to build better workforces by proactively addressing workplace substance abuse and diminishing its potentially disastrous consequences.

A Federal government survey revealed that the construction industry has some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse. Among full-time construction workers between the ages of 18 and 49:

Endnotes:
1 Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (1996). Drug Use Among US Workers: Prevalence and Trends by Occupation and Industry Categories. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services.
2 Ibid.

General Services

Many service employers wrongly believe that substance abuse is a problem only in industries that have "safety-sensitive" positions-jobs requiring the operation of vehicles, machinery and tools. However, the general services industry pays a high price for substance abuse. It is the nation's largest employer of people in "security-sensitive positions"-jobs through which employees have access to financial records, maintain confidential information or are privy to a company's ideas or product plans. Mistakes made by employees impaired due to abuse of alcohol or other drugs have far-reaching consequences. In order to ensure the security and success of their enterprises, America's service employers must have workplaces that are alcohol and drug free.

A Federal government survey revealed that rates of substance use among employees in a range of general services fields are as follows: 1

Endnotes:
1 US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (1996). Drug Use among US Workers: Prevalence and Trends by Occupation and Industry Categories. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services.

Health Care

Despite fairly widespread belief, the health care industry is not immune to workplace substance abuse. Health care industry workers who abuse alcohol and other drugs threaten the safety and well being of not only themselves, but their colleagues and a countless number of patients. By keeping America's hospitals, clinics and other heath-related establishments free of substance abuse, industry administrators work to ensure the health of their staff and clients and further their company's reputation as a provider of high-quality services in which patients and their loved ones can place their trust.

A Federal government survey revealed that more than 4 percent of nursing home employees and more than five percent of hospital and other health services employees report heavy drinking. 1

Rates of substance abuse among different types of personnel within the health care industry are as follows: 2

Hospitality

In the hospitality industry, customer satisfaction and retention are crucial, and providing excellent customer service is key to achievement. In today's world, customers displeased with an establishment's quality of service can simply take their business elsewhere. As a result, industry employees who abuse alcohol and other drugs threaten their company's profitability in addition to the general safety of themselves, their coworkers and their patrons. By making the country's hotels, eating and drinking establishments and the many businesses associated with their operations free of substance abuse, industry employers ensure increased profitability for their enterprises and further America's reputation as a welcoming destination for travelers on business or leisure.

A Federal government survey revealed that the hospitality industry, which includes hotel/motel companies, eating and drinking places and those companies related to them and their operations, experiences some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse.

Among employees in the hotel/motel sector:

Among employees at eating and drinking establishments:

Broken down by a few specific occupations, workers report substance abuse at the following levels: 3

Endnotes:
1 US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (1996). Drug Use among U.S. Workers: Prevalence and Trends by Occupation and Industry Categories. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.

High-Tech

In America's dynamic high-tech industry, employees regularly shift large quantities of information, data and money with the simple click of a mouse. Accuracy is critical, and the smallest of mistakes can have far-reaching consequences. Employees impaired due to abuse of alcohol or other drugs are a danger to companies determined to succeed in today's electronic world, where a fast pace of growth and unstructured schedules may allow problems to go undetected and become serious threats to employee health and company profits. By making the country's high-tech workplaces free of alcohol and other drugs, employers help ensure that America maintains its status as a leader in the worldwide technology revolution.

A Federal government survey revealed that rates of substance abuse among three different types of personnel between the ages of 18 and 49 within the high-tech industry are as follows: 1

Manufacturing

Both domestically and worldwide, American products have long been associated with quality. In today's marketplace, manufacturing industry employers uphold this leading position by carefully balancing technical machinery and human talent. Clearly, manufacturers who abuse alcohol and other drugs threaten not only their colleagues and clients, but also America's well-established reputation as a producer of top-quality wares. By keeping the nation's factories and workshops free of alcohol and drugs, industry employers work to ensure that the label 'Made in America' continues to symbolize the spirit of high-quality craftsmanship that has for so long characterized the nation's manufacturers.

A Federal government survey revealed that workplace substance abuse is a significant problem in both the non-durable and durable goods sectors of the manufacturing industry. Roughly 15 percent of workers in both sectors admit to having used illicit drugs in the last year and about 7 percent report current heavy alcohol use. 1

Rates of substance abuse among workers employed in several different areas of the durable goods sector are as follows: 2

Rates of substance abuse among workers employed in several different areas of the non-durable goods sector are as follows: 3

Endnotes:
1 US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (1996). Drug Use among U.S. Workers: Prevalence and Trends by Occupation and Industry Categories. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.

Back To Industry List

In the exposure-oriented industry of retail, success stems from customer satisfaction and loyalty, quality products, competitive pricing and excellent customer service. In today's fiercely competitive marketplace, shoppers displeased with a business's quality of service can simply take their business elsewhere. Thus, retail workers who abuse alcohol and other drugs threaten not only the general security of themselves, their coworkers and their patrons, but also their company's profitability. By making America's shops alcohol and drug free, industry employers increase not only the security and well being of the nation's consumers, but also the profits of their individual enterprises.

A Federal government survey revealed workplace substance abuse is a significant problem in the retail industry. Among full-time retail employees between the ages of 18 and 49:

Rates of substance abuse among workers employed in several different areas of retail are as follows: 2

Transportation

The transportation industry affects almost every aspect of our daily lives. Whether by road, rail, water or air, America's vast transportation networks are in use day and night moving people and goods to and from points across the country. Regrettably, alcohol and drugs are a factor in a significant percentage of transportation-related accidents each year. This alarming reality has serious consequences for employers and employees within the industry as well as members of the general public who rely on transportation systems. As a result, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has mandated that all industry employers maintain alcohol- and drug-free workplaces. By complying with governmental regulations and proactively addressing the issue of substance abuse, transportation employers help ensure success for their commercial enterprises and increase the level of safety for all travelers nationwide.

A Federal government survey revealed that rates of substance abuse among four different types of personnel within the transportation industry are as follows: 1

Regarding their employers' efforts to prevent workplace substance abuse, transportation industry workers report:

Transportation workers report that the following types of drug testing are prevalent throughout the industry:

Wholesale

The wholesale industry is a fundamental step along the road to delivering products to America's consumers. As a result, workplace errors have potentially far-reaching consequences. The selling of large quantities of goods gives rise to numerous safety and accuracy concerns, and industry employees who abuse alcohol and other drugs jeopardize not only themselves, but their coworkers, their customers and their business. By making the nation's wholesale establishments alcohol and drug free, industry employers help keep their vital link in America's consumer chain strong.

A Federal government survey revealed workplace substance abuse is a significant problem in the wholesale industry. Among full-time wholesale employees between the ages of 18 and 49:

Rates of substance abuse among different types of personnel within the wholesale industry are as follows: 2