Our survey of 1,000 American workers reveals that 69% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials reported using substances weekly or daily to cope with job stress. Financial pressure was the leading cause of workplace stress across all generations, with 61% of respondents spending at least $50 monthly on substances. The data shows a growing crisis that demands both employer action and expanded access to professional support.
Table of Contents
- Key Findings
- 75% of Young Workers Feel the Rising Tide of Job Stress
- Financial Pressure Is the Main Cause of Job Stress
- Two-thirds of Young Americans Use Substances as a Coping Mechanism
- Work Drives Half of Americans To Use Substances
- 9 out of 10 Workers Want Employers to Support Mental Health
- Half of Young Workers Seek Professional Help
- Methodology
- Fair Use Policy
Substance use as a coping mechanism for job-related stress is an escalating concern among U.S. workers. To better understand this issue, we surveyed 1,000 American workers across various industries, demographics, and employment statuses, uncovering key trends in job stress and its links to substance use.
The findings reveal significant generational, gender, and economic disparities, shedding light on how workplace pressures and financial strain contribute to this growing challenge. For substance abuse counselors, this data underscores the urgent need for workplace-focused intervention programs and employer partnerships.
Key Findings
- In our proprietary survey, 69% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials reported using substances weekly or daily to cope with job-related stress
- More than half of Gen Z and millennial respondents said their job or job hunt has pushed their stress levels to new heights
- Financial stress topped job-related anxieties among survey participants: 42% of Gen Z, 48% of millennials, 48% of Gen X, and 45% of baby boomers
- According to our survey, 61% of respondents reported spending at least $50 each month on substances due to work and financial stress
- 1 in 4 Gen Z respondents and 1 in 3 millennials reported increased substance use due to stress caused by layoffs and the adoption of AI in the workplace
- 1 in 3 millennial respondents felt substance use has held them back from advancing in their careers, compared to only 1 in 10 baby boomers
- 34% of Gen Z and 29% of millennial survey participants have sought or considered seeking professional help for substance use or job-related stress, compared to only 16% of baby boomers
75% of Young Workers Feel the Rising Tide of Job Stress
More than 75% of Gen Z and millennial respondents experienced increased stress due to their jobs or job hunts. 20% also felt this rising stress has negatively affected their well-being. In contrast, only 5% indicated that their stress levels had decreased, suggesting that for the majority of younger workers surveyed, career-related pressures are a mounting source of mental strain.
What’s more, pressure from the job market drove 45% of survey participants to use substances. That number jumped to 55% for Gen Z and millennials. In comparison, only 27% of baby boomers felt similar pressure.
Financial Pressure Is the Main Cause of Job Stress
Financial pressure was the leading cause of job stress for 47% of survey respondents. This sentiment transcended generational divides, affecting baby boomers (45%), Gen X (48%), millennials (47%), and Gen Z (42%) at similar rates.
Though the influence of economic strain seemed pervasive among respondents, others felt that different factors caused more stress at work. These include workplace environment (23%), uncertainty about the future (20%), and difficulty finding a job (10%). None of these factors proved to be as stressful as financial pressures.
The Cycle of Substance Use and Economic Strain
A strong majority (86%) of survey participants agreed that the current economic climate pushes more and more people towards substance use. It’s no secret that substance use can further exacerbate financial challenges, and that’s something many younger respondents reported experiencing personally.
- 1 in 3 Gen X and Gen Z respondents said their substance use has worsened their financial situation
- Half of millennial participants reported increased financial strain from substance use
- Only 13% of baby boomers experienced similar challenges
Despite feeling the pinch, 61% of survey participants reported spending at least $50 monthly on substances, further straining their finances. There were generational differences here as well, with younger respondents devoting more of their budget to substances than older ones.
Here’s how many respondents in each generation spent less than $50 per month on substances:
- Baby boomers: 66%
- Gen X: 42%
- Millennials: 25%
- Gen Z: 24%
73% of men reported spending more than $50 on substances per month, compared to only 50% of women who did the same.
Though few survey participants spent upwards of $300 monthly on substances, 9% of millennials and 8% of Gen Z did, which is double the rate of baby boomers (4%). Similarly, 8% of men reported spending at least $300 on substances per month, nearly twice the rate of women (5%) who did so.
Because this is a systemic issue, effective economic policies can play a key role in easing financial stress and reducing substance dependency. Raising minimum wages and improving access to affordable healthcare can help alleviate financial burdens and lower reliance on substances. For instance, research highlights that expanding Medicaid alone improves access to treatment and reduces opioid overdose deaths. It’s possible that other policies could have similarly beneficial impacts.
Even Higher Stress Levels Among the Unemployed
Job seekers in our survey faced heightened stress, driven by financial pressures and the challenges of finding employment. Roughly 1 in 4 Gen Z respondents were unemployed and job hunting, but financial pressures caused more stress than the job search itself. Only 14% cited job search as the primary cause of their stress whereas nearly half cited financial concerns.
Two-thirds of Young Americans Use Substances as a Coping Mechanism
A significant 69% of Gen Z and 68% of millennial respondents reported using substances on a weekly or daily basis, compared to just 31% of baby boomers, who exhibited the highest rate of abstinence. This made younger survey participants more than twice as likely to use substances regularly than their older counterparts.
Alcohol was the substance of choice for 41% of survey participants, making it the most popular of all. Here’s how the others shook out:
- Recreational drugs: 23%
- Cigarettes: 10%
- Prescription medications: 8%
- E-cigarettes and vaping products: 5%
- Over-the-counter medications: 3%
Though Gen Z was the only generation that didn’t report cigarette use at all, they did report using recreational drugs like cannabis at far higher rates than all other generations. Here’s how the generations stacked up when it came to using recreational drugs:
- Baby boomers: 10%
- Gen X: 19%
- Millennials: 29%
- Gen Z: 38%
Gen Z also reported the lowest rate of complete abstinence from substances (2%), while baby boomers reported the highest (29%). Interestingly, despite the reported use of substances across generations, the majority of respondents didn’t feel an impact in their personal lives, with 1 in 3 stating that their personal relationships suffered no negative impact as a result of their choices.
Men Are More Likely To Turn To Substances To Cope with Stress
Men in our survey were more likely to use substances to deal with stress related to their jobs. Specifically, 29% of men reported using substances daily for stress relief, compared to 22% of women. Women were slightly more likely to have abstained from substances entirely during the last year (12%) than men (8%).
Work Drives Half of Americans To Use Substances
Nearly half of survey respondents (46%) reported increasing substance use due to job-related pressures or the search for employment. Men were more affected, with 51% increasing usage compared to 41% of women.
There was a correlation between age and increasing substance use due to job stress, with younger respondents reporting higher rates:
- Baby boomers: 21%
- Gen X: 43%
- Millennials: 59%
- Gen Z: 61%
In addition to this worrying increase, 34% of survey participants reported using substances on the job. For 23%, their employers were unaware of this habit, which means that the employers of 11% were aware and allowed substance use on the job.
People reported using substances at work for a surprising reason. A staggering 41% of respondents said they’ve been pressured into using substances to manage their job performance and even just meet workplace expectations. Millennials were most likely to feel this pressure (54%) out of all generations and were more than twice as likely to do so as baby boomers (only 20%). At 50%, Gen Z wasn’t far behind them.
You’d think that substance use would be particularly prevalent among remote workers, given the increased isolation and ease of opportunity to do so. However, only 16% of remote workers in our survey reported an increase in substance use, while 29% reported no changes at all.
One-third of Millennials Believe Substance Use Has Affected Their Careers
Only 23% of survey participants felt that their substance use has impacted their ability to move forward in their careers. However, that figure jumped to 33% for millennials, making them the generation most likely to feel the effects of substance use on career advancement. In contrast, a mere 9% of baby boomers felt the same way.
There was also a notable gender difference here. 29% of men felt as though substance use has impacted their career advancement, compared to only 17% of women.
What’s more, stagnation at work can propel further substance use, which was the reality for 28% of respondents. Not only were millennials the most likely to experience career stagnation in the first place, but at 41%, they were also the most likely to increase substance use because of it. Gen X and Gen Z also reported increased use but to a lesser extent (22% and 26%, respectively), and baby boomers trailed behind at 12%.
Stress Due to a Changing Job Market
1 in 4 Gen Z respondents and 1 in 3 millennials reported increased stress and substance use due to job layoffs and the rapid adoption of AI technologies. Workplace changes affected these two generations the most. Only 21% of Gen Z and 24% of millennials hadn’t experienced layoffs or been impacted by AI, compared to 57% of baby boomers.
Overall, while 1 in 3 survey participants found no impact on their stress or substance use from layoffs or AI adoption, a portion did. Layoffs alone contributed to increased stress for 8% of respondents, and both stress and substance use for 10%. Another 7% reported higher stress and substance use as a result of both layoffs and AI adoption.
It could be that emerging technologies are contributing to employee anxiety due to the loss of current jobs and overall job availability. Job loss due to AI is a very real fear for many workers. This means people need to keep their skills sharp, and potentially develop new skills altogether, to stay competitive in the job market, both in the short and long term. With more of their careers ahead of them than behind, it’s no wonder that younger workers are more worried about these shifts.
Industries More Prone to Substance Use
Respondents in all industries reported substance use, but some industries showed higher rates than others. 74% of those working in construction and skilled trades reported using substances at least weekly, if not daily.
Other industries with similar patterns of reported substance use include:
- Technology and IT: 65%
- Manufacturing: 61%
- Retail and hospitality: 60%
- Healthcare: 57%
The disparities in substance use between industries point to underlying differences in job stressors, such as customer-facing roles in retail and the fast-paced environments of IT. Understanding these nuances is critical for designing effective, sector-specific mental health and substance use initiatives. Substance abuse counselors with workplace specialization are increasingly needed to develop and implement these industry-tailored programs.
9 out of 10 Workers Want Employers to Support Mental Health
A significant 92% of survey participants felt that employers should take more responsibility for supporting employees’ mental health. Younger respondents were far more likely to believe that employers should be legally liable for managing workplace-induced substance issues. 58% of Gen Z and 45% of millennials held this opinion, but a mere 29% of baby boomers felt the same way.
This expectation illustrates a generational shift toward recognizing the interconnectedness of mental health, workplace stressors, and substance use. It also signals a growing opportunity for counselors with specialized training to partner with employers in developing comprehensive workplace wellness programs.
The Reality of Employer Mental Health Support
Despite these expectations, just 16% of our respondents felt their employers were supportive when it came to managing job stress and preventing substance use. Though feelings were relatively consistent across generations, baby boomers were the least likely to find their employers supportive (12%). Gen X (17%), millennials (18%), and Gen Z (14%) all reported feeling slightly more employer support.
Common shortcomings include limited accessibility to mental health resources, lack of awareness about available programs, and the stigma attached to seeking help in professional settings. These barriers often lead to the underutilization of critical support systems, exacerbating mental health challenges within the workforce.
Employers can take proactive steps to enhance their mental health support initiatives. Practical strategies include:
- Offering mental health days: Providing paid days off specifically for mental health can alleviate stress and prevent burnout
- Expanding Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): EAPs can offer confidential counseling and resources tailored to diverse employee needs
- Improving access to counseling services: Employers can collaborate with professionals who hold specialized degrees to provide targeted support
By addressing these gaps, employers not only fulfill a moral and legal obligation but also foster a healthier, more productive workforce. There’s clearly a need for a comprehensive overhaul of workplace mental health initiatives, particularly as younger generations demand accountability and robust support systems.
Half of Young Workers Seek Professional Help
When it came to actually seeking professional help (such as counseling or therapy) for issues like substance use and job stress, there was another significant generational disparity. Nearly half of Gen Z and millennial respondents have at least considered getting help for these challenges, while 16% of baby boomers have done the same.
Here’s what survey participants reported seeking professional help for:
- Substance use only: 12%
- Job-related stress and substance use: 9%
- Job-related stress only: 6%
An additional 9% of respondents were considering professional help without following through. Younger generations were more likely to acknowledge the importance of proactively addressing mental health and substance use, but many people still don’t pursue the resources they need.
88% of survey participants experienced at least one of these issues, but only 27% had actively sought help, leaving the majority (61%) unsupported. Significant barriers make it difficult for people to find, let alone work with, a counselor, therapist, or support group. Social stigma around mental health persists, discouraging many. The high cost of services and geographic disparities in access to qualified professionals further exacerbate the challenge.
Open conversations in workplaces and communities about mental health and substance use are essential to foster supportive environments that reduce these barriers. Resources such as substance abuse counselor degrees and career guides underscore the importance of trained professionals in creating accessible pathways to help. For those considering entering this field, understanding substance abuse counselor salary expectations can help in making informed career decisions. Prioritizing mental health in these ways can lead to healthier, more resilient workplaces.
Methodology
To examine the complex relationship between substance use and the U.S. labor market, we conducted a survey of 1,000 American workers and job seekers. This survey captured diverse perspectives from respondents across various industries, age groups, and employment statuses, offering valuable insights into how job stress, economic pressures, and workplace environments influence substance use.
Questions explored topics including the role of economic strain in substance dependency, the impact of workplace culture, and the effectiveness of mental health support systems. Through this thorough analysis of survey responses, we identified significant connections between labor market dynamics and substance use behaviors.
These findings shed light on the broader implications of stress and economic hardship on workforce well-being and emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to foster healthier, more supportive work environments.
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Key Takeaways
- In our proprietary survey, 69% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials reported using substances weekly or daily to cope with job stress, more than double the rate of baby boomers (31%)
- Financial pressure was the leading cause of job-related stress among survey participants across all generations, affecting 47% of respondents and driving substance use as a coping mechanism
- According to our survey, 61% of participants reported spending at least $50 monthly on substances due to work and financial stress, with younger workers and men spending significantly more than other demographics
- Just 16% of our respondents felt their employers were supportive in managing job stress and preventing substance use, despite 92% believing employers should take more responsibility for mental health
- 88% of survey participants experienced job stress or substance use issues, but only 27% had sought professional help, highlighting a critical gap in access to substance abuse counseling services
- The workplace substance use crisis revealed in our research creates growing demand for substance abuse counselors specializing in Employee Assistance Programs and corporate wellness initiatives
Make a Difference in Workplace Mental Health
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