Drug or alcohol abuse has undeniable ties to whether or not someone is employed, both because it might lead to job loss or because the drug use started as a result of unemployment. Approximately one in six unemployed people are addicted to alcohol or drugs – nearly twice the rate for full-time workers. When people become unemployed, they face a variety of stressors, such as loss of income, too much idle time, or depression. Turning to drugs or alcohol can initiate a vicious cycle. A person spends money he can’t afford to lose on an illicit substance in an effort to self-medicate, which only increases anxieties related to money. Many drugs can themselves cause depression and anxiety, which can lead to increased use in an attempt to drown these feelings.
Substance abuse can often be the reason for unemployment and not just a symptom. According to one study, nearly twice as many current illicit drug users skipped one or more days of work in a month compared with workers who did not abuse drugs. Drug users also were far more likely to report missing two or more days of work per month due to illness or injury.
A rising number of workplaces require drug screening both before and during employment, which can make it difficult for someone with a substance abuse problem to find and hold down a job. In a study conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 48.8 percent of full-time workers reported that their employers conducted testing for drug use.
If you have a criminal record related to drug or alcohol use, this can also lower your chances of finding gainful employment. Some employers might not want to hire a person with a felony record, in particular, or you may be unable to meet the criteria for hiring. For example, someone whose driving license has been suspended or revoked won’t be able to work as a truck or bus driver or delivery person. For that matter, no license might mean that someone simply can’t travel to where jobs are available.
An employer’s standards may vary, but there are some jobs that are nearly impossible to get with a criminal record. Teachers, for example, are unlikely to get hired if they have a history of violent offenses. Similarly, childcare centers like daycare or preschool prefer candidates with a clear record. Law enforcement careers are unlikely, particularly for federal agencies like the FBI. If your background involves theft, you might have a hard time getting hired for retail jobs or anything in the financial industry.
Keep in mind that an employer cannot refuse to hire you for a criminal record that has no bearing on the job in question, and that record can only be considered as one factor in the hiring process. In 1987, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission declared that blanket bans on hiring people with criminal records were a Civil Rights Act violation.
If you need help quitting drug or alcohol abuse, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 and let us get you on the road to recovery.
