A recent study has revealed that nearly one in ten young workers in the United States use alcohol, marijuana, or more complex substances such as cocaine while on the job. The research, published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, found that 8.9% of respondents aged in their thirties admitted to using substances either immediately before or during their work shifts. Specifically, 5.6% reported drinking alcohol, 3.1% had used marijuana, and 0.8% consumed cocaine or other hard drugs, including opioids. These figures illuminate a troubling reality about substance use in the workplace, particularly among younger employees navigating high-stress jobs with limited support systems.
The study’s authors point to specific industries as being particularly susceptible to on-the-job substance use. Workers in food preparation and service roles reported the highest rates of use, followed closely by those in safety-sensitive occupations such as construction, maintenance, transportation, and materials handling. These are sectors where substance impairment could result in serious or even fatal accidents, making the findings especially concerning from a public safety standpoint. Even with federal regulations in place—such as those prohibiting substance use among commercial drivers or heavy equipment operators—the study noted that 6% of workers in material-moving jobs reported working while under the influence.
Conducted by Dr Sehun Oh, associate professor of social work at The Ohio State University, alongside Dr Daejun “Aaron” Park from Ohio University and recent graduate Sarah Al-Hashemi, the study draws on data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. This nationally representative cohort has been tracked for decades, with the most recent data on substance use gathered during the 2015–2016 survey wave. According to the researchers, this is one of the few datasets to provide insights into substance use specifically during work hours—a topic that has historically been underexamined due to data limitations and social stigma.
Dr Oh stressed that the root causes of workplace substance use are often linked to working conditions rather than personal failings. “Especially for those working in blue-collar or heavy manual jobs, they often have limited access to support to address substance use,” he explained. “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.” His remarks underscore the need for a shift in public perception—from moral judgement to structural analysis—when it comes to addressing substance misuse among workers.
Previous research has already indicated that long hours, low wages, limited education, and high stress are all factors that correlate with substance use outside work. This new study reveals that these pressures persist during working hours and may prompt individuals to seek coping mechanisms, even while on the job. Intriguingly, while food service and blue-collar workers had the highest overall usage rates, white-collar professionals were more likely to report drinking alcohol at work. This may be linked to corporate cultures that normalise alcohol during business meetings, client dinners, or celebratory events.
Notably, the authors argue that robust workplace substance policies alone are insufficient without parallel investments in support services. Dr Park highlighted that in a prior study, one in five workers said their workplace had no formal policy on substance use. Industries such as the arts, entertainment, food service, and hospitality were among the least likely to have structured protocols. Meanwhile, another study by Dr Oh revealed that only about half of workers had access to support services such as counselling or treatment referrals—resources that are crucial for addressing substance use as a health issue rather than a disciplinary one.
Moreover, the study revealed that on-the-job substance use was closely tied to broader patterns of misuse outside the workplace. For example, those who used marijuana at work were significantly more likely to be daily cannabis users and heavy drinkers. Similarly, individuals who consumed cocaine or other hard drugs during work hours reported more frequent illicit drug use and higher alcohol consumption in general. This pattern suggests that workplace use is not merely a situational lapse but part of a larger struggle with substance dependency, one that often goes unnoticed or untreated until it results in workplace accidents or disciplinary action.
Ultimately, the findings call for a more holistic approach to workplace substance use—one that balances policy enforcement with compassionate support. The researchers emphasise that for policies to be truly effective, they must be paired with recovery-friendly programmes and accessible mental health resources. “Our research shows that those under adverse working conditions with many barriers to economic and well-being resources tend to use substances as a coping mechanism,” Dr Oh said. “There is a need for more structural support to address these huge implications for the health of workers and others, and to reduce the stigma associated with substance use.” As the labour landscape evolves and younger generations take up the bulk of the workforce, this dual approach may prove essential not only for individual well-being but for the safety and productivity of entire industries.
More information: Sehun Oh et al, Substance Use Right Before or During Work Among the Young US Workers: Evidence From the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 Cohort, American Journal of Industrial Medicine. DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23737
Journal information: American Journal of Industrial Medicine Provided by Ohio State University