Confronting and Overcoming Substance Abuse in the Construction Industry

According to a CDC report, people who work in the construction industry experience higher fatality rates from drug overdoses than every other profession. For every 100,000 workers in construction, more than 162 die due to substance abuse. Those most at risk were roofers, at 177.4 overdose fatalities; drywall installers and tapers, at 175.1; and painters, at 162.1.

To put those numbers in perspective, the next highest category after construction was food preparation and serving, with 117.9 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Why is substance abuse such a widespread problem in the construction industry, and what can be done about it? In my experience as a substance abuse expert and treatment facility founder, the answer lies in understanding this unique population and meeting them where they are.

Workers in the construction industry confront multiple stressors that can lead to substance abuse. Some of these problems are inherent to the work itself. Construction work is often physically demanding and hazardous, which can lead to injuries. Depending on the geographic area, the season for construction work can be limited due to inclement weather. When urgent deadlines loom, workers can find themselves stacking early morning, late night, and weekend shifts on top of each other. Meanwhile, many construction workers lack paid sick leave.

“Construction workers are pressured to get the job done quickly and efficiently even in less than ideal circumstances; they face immense pressure,” says Dr. Michele Leno, Ph.D., JP, licensed psychologist and host of “Mind Matters with Dr. Leno,” a local television talk show out of Detriot. At the same time, construction sites often have a workplace culture that often neglects to take mental health concerns as seriously as they should. “Job training is task-oriented, and when it comes to wellbeing, [construction workers] must fend for themselves,” she adds.

The fact that the vast majority of workers in this industry are male might have something to do with this unwillingness to take mental health seriously. The Construction Employers Association states that 93.8 percent of construction workers are men, compared to 6.2 percent being women, and over a decade of research has found that men are less likely than women to seek help for their mental health. Perhaps it should not be surprising, then, that studies associate construction work with particular ideas about proper masculinity that promote risk-taking, social isolation, emotional stoicism, and poor health choices.

As a result, workers in this high-pressure industry, like many others, all too often turn to alcohol and other substances as a maladaptive self-medication strategy. As Dr. Michele explains, “Alcohol and substances are accessible and socially acceptable, making it easy to conceal addiction.”

For these reasons, the construction industry also suffers from a rate of suicide that is four times higher than that of the public at large.

The Addiction Epidemic in Construction

As a former addict myself, I know how difficult it can be to resist the pull of alcohol and drugs, but I also know recovery is possible. The construction industry does not need to accept this tragic status quo.

Given the particular features of this population, however, effective interventions need to approach construction workers on their own terms. For those team members who identify as independent, self-sufficient men and cherish a narrow definition of masculinity, it can be difficult to reach out for help.

In my experience, when people like this decide to embark on a recovery journey, many try to do it on their own. As Nick Padlo, former addict and CEO of Florida-based treatment facility Sophros Recovery, explains, “A lot of people want to stay in bed and isolate themselves—this can be a natural reaction.”

By trying to recover alone, people seek to prove their dominance over the substances, but the truth is the substances often win. Studies show that people who try to recover on their own are likely to relapse.

Community is an indispensable part of recovery, but not just any community. As Padlo and I have both experienced firsthand, recovery requires removing the unhealthy people in our pasts from our lives.

Support from healthy, positive people can make the difference between forging a new life and falling back into old ways. This support can typically be found at treatment facilities like Stillwater Behavioral Health, where people not only connect with therapists and appropriate medical support but also meet others who have chosen to walk the same path, as well as mentors who have successfully done so for years. Another common option is joining one’s local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The burden shouldn’t all be on the individual, however. The American construction industry, in general, can launch initiatives to move the needle in the right direction.

Taking the Initiative

To overcome the substance abuse problem in the construction industry, business leaders should consider instituting training programs for their teams. Some organizations, such as the Coalition for Construction Safety and MARCOM, have already created courses specifically for construction workers on avoiding substance abuse. These programs offer a quick and easy way to communicate with your team about the industry’s substance abuse problem.

For the best results, substance abuse training programs should deploy “male-friendly” messages that promote health and well-being. This approach frames mental health as a means of enhancing performance and building inner strength. Toward that end, for instance, trainers emphasize the possibility of taking action to master one’s emotions and be the leader of one’s own life.

Employers should also consider starting peer support networks, mentoring programs, and employee resource groups. Initiatives like these foster camaraderie in the workplace, build friendships that workers can lean on in difficult times, and empower workers to intervene if they see a colleague having trouble. Indeed, studies have shown that close relationships act as a protective buffer that helps people avoid abusing alcohol and drugs.

Another idea is to institute a series of “toolbox talks” in which industry veterans share wisdom from their own journeys toward greater health and well-being. When men open up to each other in safe spaces, they can break free from social isolation and help each other make positive changes.

It’s time to address and overcome the substance abuse epidemic in the construction industry.

Building the enduring structures and skylines of tomorrow is rightfully a source of pride. It shouldn’t be an on-ramp to substance abuse and overdose, nor should it have to be. Construction professionals can unite to confront this scourge and help each other take back their lives.