How does a Stressful Work Environment Lead to Substance Abuse and Addiction?

How Does Substance Use Affect Stress?

While some people may initially turn to substances to cope with stress, research suggests a more complex story. Substances can offer a temporary escape but ultimately worsen stress in the long run. Here’s a deeper look at how substance use negatively impacts stress.

1. Impaired Coping Mechanisms

Substances like alcohol or drugs may offer a temporary escape from stress, but they don’t address the underlying causes. Cannizzaro, C., NIAAA Intramural Research Program, & Myrick, H. 2019 conducted a study titled ‘Coping skills deficits and stress-induced alcohol use in alcohol dependence.’ They found that individuals with alcohol dependence reported poorer coping skills and a greater reliance on substances to manage stress compared to a control group. This highlights how substance use can hinder the development of healthy coping mechanisms, leading to a cycle of dependence and increased stress when the substance wears off.

2. Heightened Anxiety and Emotional Dysregulation

Many substances, particularly depressants and stimulants, can disrupt the brain’s emotional regulation system. A 2016 study by Cousijn, J., Wackers, S., et al. titled ‘Chronic cannabis use is associated with altered amygdala resting-state functional connectivity’  found that chronic cannabis use was associated with increased amygdala activity, a brain region involved in processing emotions like fear and anxiety. 

This disruption often leads to heightened anxiety, mood swings, and difficulty managing emotions healthily. These heightened negative emotions then ironically create more stress, perpetuating the cycle of substance use.

3. Physical Health Problems

Substance abuse can have a significant negative impact on physical health, further contributing to stress. A 2017 study by Grant, B. F., Sonneborn, L., Bohnert, K. B., & Chou, S. P. titled ‘The prevalence of multimorbidity in US adults with substance use disorders’   published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” found that individuals with substance use disorders were more likely to experience a variety of health problems, including sleep disturbances and weakened immune systems. These issues can all contribute to increased stress and a lower capacity to manage stressful situations.

4. Relationship and Social Issues

Substance abuse can damage relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. A 2014 study titled ‘The interpersonal consequences of alcohol use disorders’ by Foulkes, L. H., LeBlanc, J. M., Pettinati, F. M., & Hasin, D. S. found that individuals with alcohol use disorder reported higher levels of conflict and strain in their relationships. 

The negative consequences of addiction, such as financial problems or legal trouble, can also add significant stress to a person’s life. Social isolation caused by addiction can further exacerbate feelings of stress and loneliness.

How is Work Stress Connected to Substance Abuse and Addiction?

Work-related stress and addiction are intricately linked, forming a complex cycle where each can influence the other. Individuals facing chronic stress at work are more vulnerable to developing addictions to various substances and behaviors. This vulnerability can stem from attempts to cope with negative emotions like anxiety, depression, and overwhelm associated with work. Additionally, chronic stress can trigger neurochemical changes in the brain, potentially making individuals more susceptible to the rewarding effects of addictive substances.

A study published in “Addiction” (2016) found that employees with high job stress were 3.6 times more likely to report heavy alcohol use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) also reports that individuals experiencing chronic stress are twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder.

However, it’s important to remember that not everyone who experiences work stress will develop an addiction. Individual factors like genetic predispositions, personality traits, access to support systems, and the choice of coping mechanisms play a significant role.

The impact is not one-sided. Addiction itself can exacerbate work-related stress by leading to decreased productivity, financial strain due to substance use or treatment costs, and even job loss due to performance issues or disciplinary actions. This creates a negative feedback loop further intensifying both problems.

Therefore, recognizing the link between work-related stress and addiction is crucial. If you suspect you or someone you know might be struggling with either issue, seeking professional help can be the first step towards breaking this cycle and promoting overall well-being.

Risk Factors And Causes Of Stress At the Workplace?

The specific cause of work stress varies significantly based on the nature of the job. For instance, doctors often experience heightened stress levels. This is especially true because the well-being of their patients relies heavily on their job performance. Other factors contributing to workplace stress encompass.

1. Excessive Workload and Working Hours

Excessive workload is a significant contributor to work stress. When faced with an overwhelming amount of work, employees can feel a deep sense of losing control. The sheer volume of tasks and tight deadlines can make them feel helpless and frustrated, wondering if they’ll ever catch up. This lack of control can be paralyzing, hindering their ability to prioritize effectively and chipping away their confidence.

Furthermore, excessive workload can lead to a vicious cycle that reduces efficiency and increases stress. Under pressure to complete an unreasonable amount of work quickly, employees may multitask or cut corners. This often results in more mistakes, requiring them to rework tasks or face the consequences of errors. This cycle of rework and potential repercussions only intensifies stress levels.

2. Toxic Management

Poor management is a recipe for workplace stress. When managers fail to provide clear direction and goals, employees flounder, unsure of what’s expected. This ambiguity breeds frustration, wasted effort, and missed deadlines, adding another layer of stress.  Inconsistent communication creates a chaotic environment. Mixed messages, sudden priority changes, or a lack of transparency leave employees anxious and struggling to plan effectively. This hinders their ability to perform well and exacerbates stress.

Micromanaging managers who constantly hover and second-guess every decision stifle creativity and autonomy. This lack of trust breeds resentment and reduces motivation.  Employees feel incapable and constantly scrutinized, leading to stress and a decline in morale.

Unrealistic deadlines and workloads create a pressure cooker for stress.  Managers who set goals without considering capacity overwhelm employees who struggle to meet impossible expectations. This can lead to burnout and a sense of helplessness.

3. Unclean Work Environment

An unorganized or messy work environment can be a surprising source of stress at work.  The clutter, both physical and digital, can be visually distracting. A messy desk overflowing with papers or a computer desktop cluttered with files makes it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand. This constant struggle to focus leads to wasted time, missed deadlines, and ultimately, increased stress.

Disorganization can also lead to wasted time searching for misplaced files, reports, or even basic office supplies. This disrupts workflow and fosters feelings of frustration and inefficiency, contributing to stress. Being surrounded by clutter can feel visually overwhelming, creating a sense of chaos and disorder. This can be particularly true for people who thrive on organization. The mental drain of a messy environment can contribute to feeling overwhelmed by the workload.

While some may find messiness sparks creativity, for many, it hinders it. A cluttered space can stifle the ability to think clearly and generate new ideas. The lack of a designated workspace for creative thinking can lead to feelings of being stuck and contribute to stress.  Finally, a messy workspace can pose health and safety risks. Piles of papers or equipment left in walkways can be tripping hazards. Dust and clutter can also exacerbate allergies and respiratory problems, leading to physical discomfort and impacting well-being.

What Drugs Are Most Likely To Be Abused Due To Workplace Stress?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single category of drugs most abused due to workplace stress. The type of drug a person turns to can vary depending on several factors, including:

• Desired Effect: People experiencing stress might seek substances with different effects. Some might seek depressants like alcohol or prescription opioids to numb negative emotions.  Others might turn to stimulants like cocaine or Adderall for a temporary energy boost to cope with heavy workloads.
• Accessibility: The drugs most readily available will play a role.  In some workplaces, alcohol after work might be a common way to unwind, increasing the risk of alcohol abuse.  Prescription medications obtained through a doctor or from someone else’s supply can also be abused.
• Individual Vulnerabilities: People with a history of addiction or mental health conditions are more vulnerable to substance abuse in general, regardless of the specific drug.

With that being said, here’s a breakdown of some commonly abused substances at the workplace.

• Alcohol: The Addiction Center reports that around 20% of American adults (approximately 28 million people) have an alcohol use disorder. It is therefore not surprising that it is a commonly abused substance in the workplace. A national survey of U.S. workers discovered that in 2016, 15.3% of workers in the United States reported taking some form of alcohol before and during work hours or were working under the influence of alcohol.
• Marijuana: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marijuana reigns as the most commonly used illicit drug among Americans.  A recent survey revealed that over 43 million people reported using marijuana within the past year. Interestingly, while some may associate marijuana use with unemployment, the survey also showed that a significant portion of users are employed. Specifically, 18% of adult marijuana users hold full-time jobs, and another 21% work part-time.