The Growing Opioid Crisis is Affecting the Construction Industry

By Terence A. Curran Jr., ABC CF Safety Committee Chair, The Amphibious Group

The opioid crisis has been a growing issue that has affected many industries, including construction. The construction industry is a high-risk and physically demanding job, with long-hours hours and tight schedules. These factors can lead to injuries and chronic pain due to the aging workforce. Many construction workers have turned to prescription opioids to manage their pain, which has resulted in a spike in opioid addiction and overdose deaths.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers; some examples are oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. They work by attaching to specific receptors in the brain and blocking pain signals. However, they can also produce a euphoric high, leading to addiction.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, construction workers have a higher rate of opioid overdose deaths than any other profession. This statistic highlights the severity of the problem and the urgent need for better solutions to prevent and treat opioid addiction in this industry.

Several factors contribute to the opioid crisis in the construction industry. One of the leading causes is the physical demands of the job, which can lead to chronic pain and injuries. Many workers are reluctant to take time off to recover, so they turn to prescription opioids to manage their pain instead.

Another contributing factor is the lack of access to alternative pain management treatments. Many construction workers do not have health insurance or access to affordable healthcare, so they rely on opioids to manage their pain because they are readily available and affordable. Another critical factor is the readily available treatment leading to excessive use of Naloxone. Naloxone is a great tool to have readily available to treat an accidental overdose; the current crisis healthcare professionals are facing is family members, friends, or additional loved ones are administering naloxone to ensure the person in question lives but is not ensuring they get the proper support they need.

To combat the opioid crisis in the construction industry, there needs to be a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of addiction and provides comprehensive treatment options. A campaign or plan to support employees would involve:

1. Education and awareness campaigns to inform workers about the risks of opioid addiction and the availability of alternative pain management treatments.

2. Improved access to healthcare, including mental health services and addiction treatment programs.

3. Implementation of workplace safety policies and practices to prevent injuries and reduce the need for opioid prescriptions. Implementation of a drug and alcohol testing program.

4. Collaborating with employers, healthcare providers, and government agencies would develop effective strategies to address opioid addiction in the construction industry.

In closing, the opioid crisis is a complex problem that affects many industries. By working together, we can reduce the number of opioid overdose deaths and improve a healthier workforce—through partnerships and readily available actionable support, clinics, insurance, and onsite support. We can break the stigma and strive for a healthier construction industry.

Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse www.nida.nih.gov/ American Addiction Centers www.americanaddictioncenters.org