Drug abusers like to work where you do

While you are reading this, approximately 16.4 million illicit drug users and 15 million heavy alcohol users are holding full-time jobs and showing up for work almost every day. They may be working for you.

A new study just released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reveals startling facts about workers who mix mind-altering substances and full-time jobs.

Twice as many illicit drug users miss work at least one day a month as other workers. Drug users are also much more likely to miss two or more workdays per month from illness or injury.

Nearly one out of three illicit drug users in the study said they would probably work for businesses that do not conduct drug or alcohol testing programs. Substance users also had far higher job turnover rates. Among full-time workers who reported current illicit drug use, 12.3 percent said they had worked for three or more employers in the past year, compared with 5.1 percent of non abusing workers.