Health and Safety, Mental Health, Risk management

The Rising Costs of Workplace Drug & Alcohol Abuse/Misuse: A Decade in Review

In recent weeks, several clients have reached out with questions about drug and alcohol misuse and its implications for businesses as we approach the festive season. To address these concerns, our team dedicated a few days to researching statistics on drug and alcohol use from 2014 to 2024 from reliable sources. All references are listed at the bottom.

This article builds on our previous 2019 exploration, and provides updated insights and data; you can revisit our original article on Alcohol & Drug Misuse here.

In 2014, a study indicated that approximately 26% of workplaces in the UK were affected by substance and alcohol abuse or misuse, with an associated annual cost of around £21 billion. By 2024, an official survey revealed a significant increase in these issues, with the total cost rising to £27.44 billion, reflecting an annual increase of 6.5%.

A majority of participants in this recent study, 76% recognised that substance use is a problem for employers; however, when they were asked individually, only 33% of them admitted to having substance use problems.

Over the past 10 years, there has been no improvement in the number of lost working days due to substance abuse or misuse. We lose around 17 million working days each year because of these issues and related illnesses. However, there has been a 5% decrease in the number of substance abusers among full-time employees. Notably, the prevalence of small business owners reporting that their staff members have come to work under the influence of controlled substances has increased by half.

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Industry Based Findings

Statistics comparing industries with the highest rates of alcohol-related problems per 1,000 workers 2014-2024.

  1. Construction increase of 5.1%
  2. Wholesale increase of 8.4%
  3. Retail increase of 22.8%
  4. Leisure & Hospitality Increase of 5.9%

Statistics comparing industries with the highest rates of drug-related problems per 1,000 workers 2014-2024.

  1. Food Preparation & Serving increase of 62.6%
  2. Construction increase of 43.9%
  3. Sales decrease of 0.1%
  4. Business Installation & Maintenance Repair increase of 17.5%

In 2024, government data indicated that the cost of alcohol abuse to the hospitality industry was approximately £7.3 billion annually. The hospitality industry has the highest percentage of drug and alcohol misuse.

The leading causes of this figure include:

  1. Loss of productivity due to absenteeism, with a significant factor being presenteeism (employees are at work but impaired due to intoxication or hangovers.)
  2. Replacement expenses
  3. Accidents
  4. Correcting mistakes
  5. Long-term sickness
  6. Fatalities

For Our Europe Clients

Research shows that the industry individuals work in significantly affects drug and alcohol abuse rates. Healthcare professionals are particularly vulnerable, with around 10% of doctors and 20% of nurses struggling with addiction due to stress and access to prescriptions.

Lawyers also face high addiction rates, with about 20% dealing with problems related to alcohol, tobacco, and sedatives. Restaurant and hospitality workers report significant issues, with 19.1% abusing drugs and 11.8% binge drinking.

In arts and entertainment, addiction is prevalent despite the glamorised lifestyles. In construction, 47.9% smoke tobacco, 12.7% use cannabis, and 20.1% consume alcohol, leading to the highest overdose mortality rate. Manufacturing workers have a 10.4% substance misuse rate, above the national average. Transportation workers, especially truck drivers, have a 21.3% drug use rate, significantly higher than the general population’s 0.7%.

 

Workforce Drug Testing

A recent study revealed that 4.6% of employees aged 25 to 34 tested positive for illegal substances, highlighting a concerning trend in workplace drug use. When comparing data from 2014 to 2024, there has been an overall increase in drug test positivity rates by 1.4%. Specifically, the use of cocaine among this age group saw a notable rise of 9.1% and marijuana usage among these employees decreased by 3.4%.

A key indicator of substance misuse issues is a decline in workplace performance. The cognitive, emotional, and behavioural impairments caused by drug or alcohol use can negatively impact productivity, employee morale, and even the safety of coworkers.

 

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Taking Action for a Healthier Workplace

The impact of drug and alcohol misuse in the workplace remains a significant concern across industries, with rising costs, productivity losses, and safety risks affecting businesses of all sizes. As the data shows, while some progress has been made in certain areas, the challenges continue to evolve, particularly in sectors like hospitality, construction, and healthcare.

Employers must remain proactive by implementing effective workplace policies, offering support programs, and raising awareness about the dangers of substance misuse. By addressing these issues head-on, businesses can foster a safer, more productive environment for their teams.

For more guidance on managing drug and alcohol misuse in your workplace, download our free guide or explore the resources linked below.

Together, we can tackle these challenges and promote healthier, more sustainable working environments.

References

Workplaces and Drugs: Health and Social Responses. Available online:
(Complied 29th November 2024)

EUDA

WHO

Gov.uk

Young Minds

Very Well Mind

The Morning Advertiser

HSE

Working Partners

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