Whether you work a typical nine to five job or your career has you switching your hours every other week, it’s no secret that your job can have a big effect on how you live your life. While many of us know that our jobs can influence our financial status and the amount of free time we have, not everyone is quick to realize that, sometimes, your career can increase your risk for substance abuse as well.
Social Outings Encourage Drinking
Many companies are trying to create a more relaxed and casual work environment for their employees, and they often do this by hosting company outings. In general, these outings tend to be happy hours, dinners, or sporting events — all of which can involve alcohol.
While these events are typically harmless if they aren’t too often and you only have one or two drinks, if you’re attending these events regularly and have a few too many, you can put yourself at higher risk for alcohol addiction.
Long Hours Take Their Toll
If you find yourself working well over the standard 40 hours per week, you can also easily find yourself feeling exhausted. When some adults feel this way, they can turn to certain drugs, such as cocaine or other stimulants, in an attempt to give themselves more energy and improve their performance. However, they soon find that they can’t function as well without the drug, leading them to take more of it and become addicted.
Certain Industries Involve Substances More
If your career is one that essentially revolves around alcohol, such as a bartender or nightclub owner, you are much more at risk for substance abuse problems since you are constantly around that substance. If you have a history of substance abuse in your family or in yourself, it may be best to explore other career paths.
High-Stress Careers Create the Need for Relief
If your career is very high-stress and consistently has you on edge — something typically common among attorneys, medical professionals, and high-level executive — you could turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to relax after a long day. However, until you learn to relieve that stress in healthier ways, your substance can become a crutch and cause you to become addicted.
A variety of circumstances and experiences can drive a person toward substance use disorder. For this reason, treatment takes different forms for every individual. At Silver Ridge, we take a holistic approach to treatment that addresses the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of each adult. Contact us today to get the help you need.
