Alcohol is the most widely used and most socially accepted drug in the U.S., with over 224 million people saying they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime, according to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Unfortunately, the same survey revealed that 28.9 million people developed an alcohol use disorder in the past year. The prevalence of alcohol in American culture — from beer commercials routinely on TV to happy hour drinks with co-workers — means the influence to drink is quite common with the average citizen. This has caused alcohol abuse to be referred to as the blue-collar addiction due to the fact so many average workers develop a dependency on the widely-used drug.
With many of the people struggling with alcohol abuse often working regular 9-to-5 jobs, many can’t take time off work to attend addiction rehab programs. However, outpatient addiction treatment programs enable people to maintain their jobs and careers while attending therapy sessions to help them control their addiction. These flexible alcohol abuse programs are an excellent source for blue-collar workers who need help but also must maintain their normal everyday schedules.
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What Jobs Have the Highest Rate of Alcoholism?
A study from the National Library of Medicine revealed that 1 in 5 employed adults binge drink, and binge drinking varied across occupation groups. There is limited information on the variation of alcohol use by occupation group. However, according to a national report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), workers in the construction and extraction (17.8%) and installation, maintenance, and repair (14.7%) occupation groups had the highest prevalence of people who reported drinking in the previous 30 days. Two state-specific studies examining binge drinking by occupation were conducted in North Dakota and California. In North Dakota, farm or ranch employees had the highest occurrence of binge drinking (45.3%), while healthcare workers had the lowest (13.2%). In California, installation (31.8%) and construction (31.4%) workers had the highest prevalence of binge drinking, while professional and related workers had the lowest (16.6%).
What Percentage of Blue-Collar Workers Drink?
Between 2008 and 2012, studies show that an average of 8.7% of full-time workers aged 18 to 64 engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month. The mining and construction industries had the highest rates of heavy alcohol use at 17.5% and 16.5%. Additionally, the accommodations and food services industry had the highest rates of past month illicit drug use at 19.1%, and workers in this industry also had the highest rates of past year substance use disorder at 16.9%. Despite the findings, the rate of alcohol consumption will differ on other factors besides the type of occupation, like income level, education, age, gender, and location. If alcohol addiction treatment is needed, make sure to develop a plan on how to support a co-worker after rehab.
What Major Problems Do Blue-Collar Workers Face?
Blue-collar workers often face several significant challenges in their professional and personal lives, which can lead them to start drinking alcohol. They often live paycheck-to-paycheck, so there is constant anxiety about losing their jobs and what happens if that does occur. In 2024, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow, and many blue-collar jobs are vulnerable to automation and outsourcing, leading to uncertainty about long-term employment. Inflation is at its highest in decades, but wages for many blue-collar jobs have not kept pace with inflation.
The physical toll a blue-collar job takes on the worker’s body can lead to chronic health issues and earlier retirement due to physical wear and tear. Many blue-collar jobs involve physical labor or exposure to potentially hazardous conditions, leading to higher rates of work-related injuries and illnesses. Despite the health concerns, many blue-collar jobs, especially part-time or contract positions, do not offer comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off, so workers must continue showing up at the job site even when not feeling well or after an injury, leading to more stress.
How Can I Get Addiction Rehabilitation With Insurance?
Seeking addiction treatment through insurance can be a crucial step toward recovery, but the process may seem daunting at first. The key is to start by thoroughly reviewing your insurance policy or contacting your provider to understand what addiction treatment services are covered. Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in 2010, many health insurance policies cover addiction treatment services.
The next step is researching and identifying suitable treatment facilities that accept the insurance. Consider factors beyond coverage, such as location, treatment approaches, and any specialized programs that might benefit the patient. Many rehabilitation centers like Muse Treatment in Los Angeles have staff who can help verify the insurance coverage and provide a detailed breakdown of what will be covered, which can be immensely helpful in making an informed decision.
Understanding financial responsibility is crucial in this process. Be sure to clarify any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance the patient needs to cover. Some facilities offer payment plans, which can help manage any out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, many insurance plans require pre-authorization for addiction treatment, so work with the alcohol addiction treatment facility to secure this approval before proceeding.
Find Help for Blue Collar Addiction at Muse Treatment Center
Treating blue-collar addiction often requires a flexible treatment schedule that can accommodate the patient’s needs to maintain their work routine. Muse Treatment offers flexible outpatient rehab plans to tackle alcohol addiction as well as insurance coverage options to pay for rehab. Our dedicated staff will help you every step of the way, from insurance verification to admission, treatment, and aftercare support. We personalize our addiction treatment programs to ensure each patient receives the type of individualized care needed to overcome addiction and maintain sobriety. Blue-collar jobs can be stressful, and keeping the job can be even more demanding. At Muse Treatment, our patients can maintain their normal work schedule while going through our outpatient treatment services. Please contact Muse Treatment at 800-426-1818 today to learn more about how our programs can meet your addiction rehab needs.
External Sources
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism — Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism — Alcohol Use in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics
- National Library of Medicine — Binge Drinking by Occupation Groups among Currently Employed U.S. Adults in 32 States
- SAMHSA — Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder by Industry