The Effects of Substance Use on Workplace Injuries

Education Campaigns in the Workplace
Many employers will offer education programs to their employees that focus on substance 
use and misuse. Typically, these programs exist alongside EAPs and are designed to educate 
employees about dangerous drinking behaviors and encourage employees with substance-use 
problems to self-refer to the EAP. Many of these programs have reported benefits, at least in the 
short term, though these short-term successes often diminish over time (Brochu and Souliere, 
1988). Thus, researchers suggest that strategically planned educational campaigns are gener-
ally worthwhile investments, though they should be complemented with boosters over time to 
sustain any positive effects (Roman and Blum, 2002). 
Changing Social Norms in the Workplace
Researchers have noted that workplace cultures surrounding drug and alcohol use can also 
be modified to reduce any potential adverse outcomes associated with these substance-using 
behaviors. Certain occupations may attract employees who are heavy drinkers, such as bar-
tending and restaurant work (Hoffman, Larison, and Sanderson, 1997). Organizational cul-
tures may also promote substance misuse by encouraging on-the-job drinking and tolerating 
spillover effects of alcohol or other drug use (Ames and Delaney, 1992; Mangione et al., 1999; 
Rice, Longabaugh, and Stout, 1997). While designing programs and interventions to change 
drinking cultures is recognized as inherently difficult (Roman and Blum, 2002), researchers 
have shown that managerial structures and health-promotion and wellness programming may 
influence these drinking norms (Ames, Grube, and Moore, 2000; Mangione et al., 1999). In 
addition, interventions that encourage workers to recognize substance-use problems in their 
coworkers (Roman and Blum, 2002; Spicer and Miller, 2005) may be considered educational 
in nature but may also either directly or indirectly encourage changes in social norms. 

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CHAPTER SIX