An Alarming Percentage Of Young U.S. Workers Are Using Drugs Or Alcohol On The Job

The highest incidence of on-the-job substance use was found in food service, construction, transportation, and other safety-critical sectors.

Roughly 9% of American workers in their early 30s reported using alcohol, cannabis, or illicit drugs either just before or during their work shifts, according to new findings from researchers at The Ohio State University.

The study exposes how job roles and workplace environments may intersect with substance use behaviors, providing a rare, data-driven window into workplace drug and alcohol use in the U.S.

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The highest incidence of on-the-job substance use was found in food service, construction, transportation, and other safety-critical sectors. Among respondents, 5.6% acknowledged drinking alcohol at or immediately before work, 3.1% used marijuana, and 0.8% consumed harder drugs such as opioids or cocaine, according to HR Dive.

White-collar roles, particularly those involving client relations or networking events, showed elevated levels of alcohol use, while marijuana and alcohol were more commonly used in labor-intensive and safety-sensitive industries.

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The researchers highlighted the effectiveness of proactive workplace policies. In studies from 2023, comprehensive substance use frameworks — including access to counseling and recovery-friendly policies — were linked to significantly lower rates of drug and alcohol use among employees.

In parallel findings, data from Quest Diagnostics revealed troubling trends in workplace drug testing. In 2023, incidents of drug test tampering surged over six-fold, hitting a three-decade high.

While overall positive test rates declined marginally among safety-sensitive workers, attempted test cheating spiked. Additionally, marijuana positivity following workplace accidents reached its highest level in 25 years, mirroring the broader legalization trend across several U.S. states.

Understanding the pressures workers face, and expanding access to economic, psychological, and health resources, could be key to reducing substance use in the workforce.

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