Occupational implications of disorders of substance use

Substance use poses risk for operating potentially dangerous machinery, working in hazardous environments and occupations such as truck driving, public transport operators, pilots, oil rig and mining employees, and healthcare workers. Some workplaces (eg in the mining and airline industries) operate with a ‘zero tolerance’ policy that does not permit any substance use while an employee is working; random workplace alcohol or other drug testing is undertaken to monitor use.

It is a professional requirement that a healthcare practitioner functions without the influence of alcohol or other drugs, but workplace monitoring usually does not occur unless intervention from the relevant registering board has been required. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website has advice on raising concerns about a healthcare practitioner and on sourcing support for a practitioner who may be seeking help for substance use.