At Banyan Treatment Center Massachusetts, we are committed to helping those in the construction industry find sobriety. We know there is a strong workplace connection between construction workers and addiction. The physically demanding labor of construction work has led to an uptick in the number of opioid addictions in the construction industry. As workers are injured on the job, they are prescribed dangerous painkillers, and addictions can quickly form. This is why opioid crisis solutions continue to be developed to address these instances and prevent them from persisting.
Opioid Addiction in the Construction Industry
Workers in the construction industry face unique challenges in their workplace daily. Unfortunately, many of these challenges can pave the way for addiction. Though opioid overdoses in Massachusetts are declining overall, opioids are a huge threat to the construction industry. Construction workers accounted for nearly 25% of all fatal opioid overdoses among the Massachusetts workforce from 2011 to 2015, and this demographic is six times more likely to have a fatal opioid overdose.1
Opioids are among the most common drugs abused by blue-collar workers, especially workers in the construction industry. A painkiller prescription can quickly lead to an addiction, and from there, the problems only worsen. Workers may initially begin by taking prescribed opioids for a workplace injury and quickly become addicted. Or they may choose to keep taking opioids so they do not miss out on work. Opioid addiction can become deadly, but there are other ways to treat pain without drugs.
Recently, Massachusetts construction companies worked to bring this growing problem in the industry to light.
In 2019, an early June work stoppage brought attention to the problem of addiction in the construction industry, and many leaders continue to work on helping diminish the problem. Construction trade groups, labor unions, and companies are working to help provide workers with the resources they need to get sober.
The Effects of Opioid Use
It is no secret that prescription painkillers and opioids are a growing problem in our country. With the persistence with which doctors have prescribed these drugs, their effect has been felt in countless communities and occupations. Not everyone considers the risks involved, which is why we have crafted a cumulative list of effects.
Short-term effects of opioids include:
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Euphoria
- Slowed breathing
- Tiredness
- Coma
Not only may a person experience negative effects while using these, but such abuse can also lead to health defects that often stay with a person long after they stop. For instance, prolonged gastrointestinal distress is an infamous result of consistent opioid abuse.
Long-term effects of opioids include:
- Chronic and severe constipation
- Nausea, vomiting, and bloating
- Respiratory arrest in cases of overdose
- Coma or brain damage
- Issues with heart rhythm
- Coronary heart disease
It is not always common that a person will consider these effects before it is too late. Sadly, many construction workers’ jobs are so crucial that these risks are pushed to the side in order to get the work done faster. It is why so many opioid crisis solutions have been sought in recent years. As millions of people work to reclaim their lives, our drug rehab in Massachusetts seeks to provide these individuals with the opioid addiction treatment they deserve.
Treating Addiction in the Construction Industry
At Banyan Treatment Center Massachusetts, we offer industry-specific drug and alcohol treatment programs. This includes opioid addiction treatment for blue-collar workers in the construction industry. If you are struggling with addiction or if you have a loved one who is dealing with opioid addiction, our team is here to help. Our Massachusetts addiction treatment center can treat opioid addiction, prescription pill addiction, and more.
Each level of care is crafted to provide patients with the support they need to make a successful recovery. From outpatient treatment to partial hospitalization, all facets of a person’s addiction will be considered to ensure that they receive the most effective care for their unique situation. Banyan takes pride in providing some of the best Massachusetts addiction treatment and hopes that we can be a part of your recovery story.
We also take a construction industry-specific approach to treatment for patients needing tailored treatment plans. It’s time to build a better future. Call 888-280-4763 to get started.
Sources:
- WBUR – Work Stops At Construction Sites As Industry Calls Attention To Drug Addiction Among Its Workers
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