If you work in the construction industry, you know how hard and stressful of a job it is. For some, that stress goes hand in hand with substance abuse. Maybe you’ve been popping more pills lately to deal with the pain and anxiety that comes along with your job. According to a study done by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), construction is one of the most susceptible job fields for addiction. Being stuck in the cycle of addiction is a b**ch and sooner or later, your addiction will get you or someone else hurt at work and may even cause you to lose your job. So how do you get clean and sober for good and keep your job?
Factors Contributing to Addiction
We know construction is a tough industry to work in, but what factors contribute to construction workers being more likely to develop an addiction than other fields of work? Just some of these factors include:
-High stress
-High anxiety
-Long work-days
-Physically demanding work
-Pain inducing
-Higher accident-rate
-Life risking
At Transformations Care, we can give you the tools you need to continue to stay clean and alternative coping mechanisms to combat these factors in your everyday life. To learn more about healthy coping mechanisms while working, click HERE.
Issues Addiction Can Cause in the Workplace
Addiction doesn’t only affect the individual, it can cause a destructive path around you — including creating issues in the workplace. Workers struggling with substance abuse may be using or drinking on the job. Construction alone can be a dangerous job, but being high or drunk on top of that doubles the risk of accidents. Withdrawals from alcohol or certain drugs can also cause tremors. Constantly shaking on the job makes it extremely difficult to not only finish your work, but do it well and safely. Withdrawals are a pain in the @ss and not being able to fully focus on your job because of them also increases the chance of you or your coworkers getting hurt. The sooner you get addiction treatment, the sooner you’ll be back to work thriving safely.
Drug and alcohol abuse also makes it more likely for workers to call in sick or skip out on work, which decreases production. If you’re calling out sick to nurse a hangover or skipping work to use or drink instead, it’s time to consider getting addiction treatment. Ghosting your work is never the answer, so talk to your HR rep today about taking a leave of absence to seek addiction treatment. For tips on how to approach your work about your substance abuse, give us a call today and check out our blog post, HERE.
Opioid Abuse In the Construction Industry
Straining and doing physical labor can cause a lot of construction workers chronic pain. Starting to take opioids or pain medications to combat that pain can easily turn into substance abuse. Maybe there’s even be a drug trade for opioids in the parking lot of work that’s supplying your addiction. According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, in a study done in Ohio, it was found that construction workers were 7 times more likely to die from an opioid overdose. If you or a coworker are abusing opioids or prescription meds, give us a call before it’s too late and we’ll help you get clean and sober for good.
Addiction Treatment for Construction Workers
If you work in construction and your substance abuse is affecting your work and personal life, it is possible to overcome — with the right help. As a worker, you have resources like EAPs or even your workers union that can help you get the addiction treatment you need and deserve. EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs) are a free resource that can help you take a leave of absence from work and recommend trusted referrals for treatment centers. Unions also can provide referrals and make sure your rights are being upheld by your employer.Â
Don’t be a statistic — get the addiction treatment you need today. At Transformations Care, we’ll give you the tools you need to start living a life being clean & sober. Give us a call today at 424.339.0965 to take the first step to living a better life.
GUIDE
Getting Clean & Sober at Home
Today, more than 75% of hospitals and healthcare providers offer access to telehealth treatment, with 29 states having gone so far as to enact telehealth parity laws, which force insurance companies to reimburse patients for telehealth at the same rates as they would for in-person treatment.
If you’ve been thinking about getting clean and sober, or if you’ve been wanting to work on and strengthen the recovery you already have, it’s never been easier to do it through telehealth.
"*" indicates required fields