Barriers to a drug and alcohol safety program in high-risk industries

An Australian study interviewed construction and manufacturing WHS professionals to understand challenges a promising health-based drug and alcohol program would face.

Dr Kirrilly Thompson from Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) is the lead author of a study published open access in Addiction (doi.org/10.1111/add.70348) that explored whether a health-based approach called Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) could boost drug and alcohol safety for workers in high-risk industries.

“SBIRT starts with a short questionnaire, followed by a quick personalised conversation or provision of information to motivate healthier choices, and referral to treatment if needed. It’s simple and effective in clinics, but workplaces are a different story,” Thompson said, noting that SBIRT is widely used in health care and proven to reduce harms from substance use, but it’s rarely been tried in workplaces.

Dr Kirrilly Thompson. (Source: Flinders University)

The study interviewed construction and manufacturing WHS professionals to understand challenges to the effective adoption of the drug and alcohol program. “While most agreed it could save lives and improve wellbeing, they also highlighted challenges, with the biggest issue being that of trust,” Thompson said.

“Workers fear that admitting to drinking or drug use could cost them their job. Strict zero-tolerance policies and routine drug testing in some workplaces make people reluctant to open up — something that is central to seeking and receiving support.

“Even where disciplinary action may not be a concern, stigma around using alcohol and other drugs can prevent workers from accessing support from confidential services such as employee assistance programs.”

SBIRT would be most acceptable, the research suggests, if delivered outside the workplace, outside work hours, and by trusted external providers rather than by management. There are also other practical issues to consider, which include time pressures on busy worksites and workers not considering their drinking or drug use a problem, which means they are unlikely to volunteer for help.

“For employers, tackling alcohol and drug risks is not just about rules and testing. It’s about creating a culture where people feel safe to seek help. That means framing substance use as a health issue, not a moral failing, and guaranteeing confidentiality and support for anyone who reaches out,” Thompson said.

“Workplaces can play a huge role in preventing harm, but success depends on trust. If workers believe they’ll be punished for speaking up, they won’t engage,” Thompson added. “Employers need to show that support is genuine and separate from disciplinary action.”

It is recommended in the study that SBIRT be integrated into broader wellbeing programs and that external peer-based organisations be partnered with. More research involving workers themselves to co-design solutions that fit real-world conditions is also called for.

“This isn’t just about individual health. Creating workplace cultures that support physical and psychological safety makes for stronger businesses. A proactive, supportive approach would benefit everyone,” Thompson concluded.

If you have concerns about your own, or someone else’s, alcohol and/or other drug use, the 24/7 National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline can help; please call 1800 250 015.

Image credit: iStock.com/Suratsak Noikerdmee. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.