Prevalence of alcohol and drug use in a highly educated workforce

This study examined alcohol and licit and illicit drug use in a highly educated workforce. A comprehensive health survey of a 10% random sample of a workforce (n = 8,567) yielded a 60% response rate (n = 504) after accounting for 15 undeliverable surveys. Many respondents reported past-year use of a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journal of behavioral health services & research 2002-02, Vol.29 (1), p.30-44
Main Authors: Matano, Robert A, Wanat, Stanley F, Westrup, Darrah, Koopman, Cheryl, Whitsell, Shelly D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Adult
Aged
Alcohol use
Alcoholism
Alcoholism - epidemiology
Alcoholism - ethnology
Analgesics - supply & distribution
Antidepressive Agents - supply & distribution
Benzodiazepines - supply & distribution
California - epidemiology
Cocaine
Demographics
Drug abuse
Drug use
Education
Educational Status
Employee problems
Employees
Employers
Employment
Employment - statistics & numerical data
Epidemiology
Ethnicity
Gender
Hallucinogens - supply & distribution
Health Surveys
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives - supply & distribution
Male
Marital Status
Middle Aged
Polls & surveys
Prescription drugs
Prevalence
Self Disclosure
Statistical analysis
Street Drugs - supply & distribution
Studies
Substance abuse
Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology
Substance-Related Disorders - ethnology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Workers
Workforce
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Summary:This study examined alcohol and licit and illicit drug use in a highly educated workforce. A comprehensive health survey of a 10% random sample of a workforce (n = 8,567) yielded a 60% response rate (n = 504) after accounting for 15 undeliverable surveys. Many respondents reported past-year use of alcohol (87%). Thirteen percent of respondents consumed three or more drinks daily; 15% were binge drinkers. Twelve percent of the workforce was assessed as having a high likelihood of lifetime alcohol dependence; 5% of respondents met criteria for current problem drinking. Overall, 42% reported using mood-altering prescription drugs (analgesics, antidepressants, sedatives, or tranquilizers). Eleven percent reported using illicit drugs (cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, or marijuana) in the past year. Significant relationships were found between gender, age, ethnicity, and occupation with some measures of alcohol consumption and use of mood-altering drugs. These results indicate prevention and early intervention programs need to address use of mood-altering substances (including alcohol) in highly educated workforces.
ISSN:1094-3412
1556-3308
DOI:10.1007/BF02287830