With the adoption of more broadbrush EAPs, the focus on substance abuse has been toned down to remove the stigma associated with this issue among the work force. Hopefully, this approach will encourage employees in need to seek help without hesitation or apprehension. Perspectives on Substance Abuse Substance abuse in the workplace has been attributed to several factors, the most common of which are workplace culture, social control, alienation and stress. The workplace culture perspective emphasizes that drinking norms may be developed within a particular workplace. Some types of occupation appear to promote heavy drinking and to influence the development of alcoholism.
Occupational subcultures can dictate when and why drinking is appropriate.
Furthermore, research shows that employees who socialize with co-workers outside the workplace are more likely than those who do not to consume alcohol before arriving at work. The social control perspective posits that a lack of constraints in the workplace may lead to alcohol abuse and dependence. High-risk occupations encompass work roles with little or no supervision or interdependence with others and work roles with low visibility and frequent changes in schedules or supervisors. The alienation perspective purports that modern organizations create a sense of powerlessness or strain in their members, who may seek relief through excessive drinking. This sense of powerlessness might arise because of work that lacks creativity, variety and independent judgment.