Drug and alcohol addiction don’t just pose a threat to millions of Americans; they are crippling the American economy as well. According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, hundreds of billions of dollars in potential profit are lost each year due to the fact that nearly 9.5 percent of all full-time workers age 18-64 are struggling with substance use disorder. Of course, if you are a working professional caught in the grips of addiction, then you know that the cost for you personally could be much higher. Luckily, there is hope: Drug and alcohol addiction treatment for working professionals is more effective than ever at stopping the cycle of addiction and helping you to renew your life.
Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Professionals
According to the aforementioned SAMHSA study from 2015 the rate of heavy alcohol use among workers was 8.7 percent overall, whereas drug use was reported among 8.6 percent of workers. That number was much higher in certain industries, though.
More than 17 percent of miners reported recent alcohol abuse, for example, while more than 19 percent of food service and hospitality workers reported illegal drug use. Construction, arts and entertainment, and management positions all reported higher than average incidence of drug and alcohol use as well.
Clearly, employees in fast-paced and high-stress jobs are often susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse, both because of a culture of substance abuse and a desire to self-medicate from the stress and physical demands of the job. Illicit use can quickly turn to full-fledged addiction, however, causing absenteeism and errors on the job that can hurt the company and the individual worker.
Do You Need Addiction Treatment?
Is your substance use affecting your performance at work? It can be hard to recognize when you have a problem if the people around you are abusing substances as well. Signs of addiction include the following: calling in sick frequently due to substance abuse, missing work altogether, working while impaired, showing up hungover, or leaving work to go get drunk or high.
Pursuing addiction treatment will make you a better employee; but also, it will help you experience true peace and freedom in all spheres of your life. In addiction treatment, you will learn coping skills to help you deal with work challenges and life challenges while clean and sober. You’ll also have the time and support to explore and heal the deeper traumas and mental or emotional issues that may be exacerbating your substance abuse.
Taking Leave For Addiction Treatment
You don’t have to choose between your job and getting help. In fact, not getting help could be the thing that causes you to lose your job. There are many legal protections and resources available for workers seeking addiction treatment. Read our ebook on How to Get Addiction Treatment & Keep Your Job for more information on how the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs) and HR (Human Resources) can help you find your way to a sanctuary for healing.
Get Help For Addiction Now
Or, give us a call. The team at Acqua Recovery can listen to your situation and help you figure out the best path forward. We can even handle conversations with your insurance company or managers for you, so you can focus entirely on getting help and totally refreshing your entire life on our peaceful campus outside of Park City, Utah.
