07/18/2025

Study Shows Many Younger Workers Use Alcohol or Drugs at Work

Substance use occurs more often in blue-collar and service industry jobs

About 9 percent of U.S. workers in their early 30s use alcohol, marijuana or hard drugs while at work, according to a July 8 report from researchers at The Ohio State University (OSU).

The risk for substance use was highest among workers in food preparation, service and safety-sensitive occupations, including construction and transportation. Based on previous studies about employee substance use and workplace strategies, the researchers suggested comprehensive policies and supportive interventions to help workers.

"Especially for those working in blue-collar or heavy manual jobs, they often have limited access to support to address substance use," said Sehun Oh, an associate professor of social work at OSU, in a news release. "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."

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