Occupational Risk Factors Associated with Alcohol and Drug Problems

Ames and Janes provide a theoretical framework that explains alcohol and/or drug problems among workers (1). Existing studies of occupational risk factors for alcohol and drug problems across multiple occupations and industries provide mixed findings with respect to Ames and Janes' framework. In a preliminary study, the relationships between occupational characteristics and measures of alcohol and drug problems were investigated among a sample of workers from a variety of occupations and industry settings. Some support was found for all of the major elements of Ames and Janes' framework: normative regulation of drinking, quality and organization of work, workplace factors, and drinking subcultures. Key Words. Alcohol; Drugs; Occupation; Workplace factors
INTRODUCTION Many researchers argue that characteristics of one's employment play a significant role in the development and/or continuation of alcohol and drug problems (2-6). If these assertions are accurate, interventions [...]