2025 Medical Review Officer Online Course with Live Discussion (Includes Digital Syllabus)-Tab 3: Substance Use in the U.S. and in the Workplace- Syllabus

Tab 3: Substance Use in the U.S. and in the Workplace- Syllabus

Pdf Summary

The document explores substance use trends in the U.S., highlighting factors influencing illicit drug use, such as age, education, geography, and mental health. Drug use peaks between ages 18-26 and decreases with higher education levels. Males and unemployed individuals are more likely to use illicit substances, with occupations in food services and entertainment showing higher usage rates. Data is collected from multiple sources, including the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and the Monitoring the Future Survey, to track trends.<br /><br />The prevalence of drug use varies with drug legality and availability within different states. Particularly, marijuana use has soared with its legalization for recreational use. The U.S. faces an opioid epidemic initially spurred by prescription opioids in the 1990s, progressing to heroin and illicit fentanyl by 2013. Opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone are heavily consumed in the U.S., contributing significantly to overdose deaths, which reached epidemic proportions by 2020.<br /><br />In workplaces, illicit drug use impacts productivity and safety and is monitored through drug-free workplace programs, which include policies and testing. Despite state initiatives for the medical use of certain controlled substances, federal workplaces remain strict in their policies against such usage, especially for safety-sensitive positions.<br /><br />The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) influences drug-free workplace policies, emphasizing non-discrimination against recovering addicts or alcoholics, though positive results for unauthorized substances nullify ADA protections. Employment places further integrate drug testing as part of pre- and post-employment screening processes. The document underscores the challenges and impacts of substance use within the U.S. societal and regulatory landscapes.

Keywords

substance use trends

illicit drug use

opioid epidemic

marijuana legalization

workplace drug policies

National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Monitoring the Future Survey

Americans with Disabilities Act

drug testing

overdose deaths