March 2020 was a big month for most of the world. While we were all focussing on the uncertainty that the first global lockdown brought, we didn’t realise that the biggest ever shift in how and where people work was happening right under our noses. By the time it was all over, offices around the world stood empty, and the work-from-home (WFH) era had begun.
For many, WFH is a dream come true. No early morning rush to get ready, no commuting, and no dress code. Unfortunately, every silver cloud has a stormy lining, and many soon discovered that reduced accountability, lack of structure, and even the absence of coworker interactions could lead to unexpected consequences, including challenges related to mental health and addiction.
Working in an office requires a minimum level of social interaction, accountability, and routine. In the absence of all three, boredom, lack of motivation, isolation, depression, and numerous other factors all contribute to an increased risk of substance abuse. As is always the case, undiagnosed mental health disorders can increase the risk of substance abuse and vice versa, and without the safety net of seeing others, could spiral out of control completely unnoticed and unaddressed.
While we all immediately think of WFH as a result of the pandemic, in reality, millions of people around the world were already working from home before 2020. A Norwegian study of 14,000+ employees between 2004 and 2019 found that those who WFH for at least 15 hours per week are 1.67 times as likely to consume alcohol as their in-office counterparts (Nielsen et al.). The study goes on to attribute this statistically significant increased alcohol consumption to several possible factors, including:
During the pandemic, the Norwegian findings were proven correct as the British appetite for alcohol surged. Stuck at home and with nothing better to do, Brits bought an additional 12.6m litres of alcohol from off-licences in 2020/21 compared to the year before, and 57% of respondents in a Public Health England study reported drinking at a higher risk level (Booth).
We could not find any pre-Covid studies or evidence that conclusively link working from home with an increased risk of drug abuse. However, this doesn’t mean that a link doesn’t exist. Working from home only really became a thing after the pandemic, and since then this area of study has received a lot more attention.
The pandemic had the same effect on the global drug supply chain as it had on many others. The combined effects of restrictions on international travel and stay-at-home orders that increased the visibility of street drug dealers resulted in no changes in drug-related deaths during the pandemic in the UK (Sekeris et al.), despite increased loneliness and isolation. The only exception was for methadone, which saw a significant increase in deaths at the same time that heroin and opioid fatalities were on the decrease. This was due to opioid substitution therapy (OST) medications being moved from daily supervised doses to one or two-week take-home doses, resulting in several methadone overdoses.
In the US, the situation was vastly different from the UK. A 2022 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta estimates that the number of working-age Americans facing substance use disorders had risen by 23% since the start of the pandemic and that up to 26% of the decline in prime-age labour force participation between February 2020 and June 2021 could be attributed to substance abuse. The vast majority of substance-related deaths in this period were related to opioids and methamphetamines (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta).
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Finding accurate and up-to-date statistics and research on how remote work contributes to substance abuse in the post-pandemic UK is a challenge. Substance abuse data is generally collected on broader populations without distinguishing between those working from home and those working in traditional settings. Despite these challenges, pre-pandemic evidence conclusively links WFH to increased alcohol intake, and based on our recent experience treating remote workers for drug and alcohol abuse, we expect to see the field of WFH and drug abuse studied more intensively in the near future.
It’s impossible to discuss WFH and its effects on substance abuse without discussing how it affects mental health. Substance abuse and mental health are intricately connected, with deteriorating mental health often contributing to substance abuse problems as the individual seeks relief from anxiety, depression, or isolation. On the flipside, substance abuse affects our neurochemistry, and in the long run, can contribute to the development of serious mental health problems. While the post-pandemic links between WFH and substance abuse are still being studied, the psychological effects of working from home have been studied in more detail.
An extensive International Labour Office (ILO) study titled “Working Anytime, Anywhere: The Effects on the World of Work” studied remote and partially remote workers in 10 European countries and 4 non-European countries and found that working from home has both psychological benefits and drawbacks. The benefits include a better work-life balance, increased autonomy, and higher levels of job satisfaction. The cons included higher levels of isolation, an increased risk of burnout, increased stress levels, and negative health outcomes (Eurofound and International Labour Office (ILO)).
All of these negative effects have been linked to the development of anxiety and depression disorders, which, in turn, have been linked to an increased risk of substance abuse.
While we would all benefit from further research into how working from home, mental health, and substance abuse are connected, existing evidence and just a little bit of ‘connect the dots’ paint a clear picture of how, in some cases, working from home can be the catalyst for substance abuse problems down the line.
Despite the risks, in reality, the majority of people working from home will never develop either mental health or substance abuse problems to a degree that requires intervention or professional assistance. That being said, there are several preventative steps that you can take to ensure that your WFH environment and WFH habits are as healthy as possible. These steps can not only reduce the risk of developing potentially serious conditions but actively contribute to a healthier and happier you.
A set routine that includes working hours, break times, and rituals, such as a morning walk or short midday nap, can help prevent your work from creeping into your personal time. Without a set ritual, remote workers often find themselves picking up work and returning to work mode on and off throughout the day and even the evening. If you can’t switch off completely, you put yourself at increased risk of burnout. Routine means getting your work done in a way that leaves time for you.
Humans are social, and for many of us, full-time remote work leaves a ‘human-shaped hole’ as we spend day in and day out without seeing or speaking to others. In the absence of colleagues with whom to share lunch and discuss ‘the game’, make sure you remain socially active to avoid isolation and its unwelcome effects. Keep in mind that prisons punish misbehaving inmates with isolation—don’t do the same to yourself.
This might seem self-explanatory; however, it remains important to point out. Overindulging becomes easier if you’re not going to be face-to-face with your boss or clients the next day. Ensure that your after-work beer doesn’t turn into six. Seek professional help if your thoughts are constantly turning to drugs or alcohol or if your consumption is increasing as a coping mechanism for stress.
Physical activity, even something as simple as a morning walk, actively helps prevent and deal with stress. If possible, try to link up with other remote workers for scheduled walks, yoga, or other forms of physical activity to help you stay motivated and stick to your schedule.
Following these four simple steps can help make your home a healthier place to spend time in and reduce your risk of developing many of the problems associated with working from home. Other steps include setting up a dedicated workspace to set boundaries between your work and personal life; practicing mindfulness and stress management techniques such as yoga, stretching, or breathing exercises; and maintaining a healthy diet and sleep habits.
Booth, Robert. “Heavier drinking during Covid led to 2500 more deaths from alcohol in 2022 – ONS.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 22 April 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/apr/22/covid-heavier-drinking-deaths-2022-ons. Accessed 29 August 2024.
Eurofound and International Labour Office (ILO)). “Working Anytime, Anywhere: The Effects on the World of Work.” Publications Office of the European Union and the International Labour Office, 2017, pp. 26-33. Eurofound / ILO, https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/publications/2017/working-anytime-anywhere-effects-world-work. Accessed 30 Aug 2024.
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. “Did Substance Abuse during the Pandemic Reduce Labor Force Participation?” FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF ATLANTA’S POLICY HUB, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, May 2022, https://www.atlantafed.org/-/media/documents/research/publications/policy-hub/2022/05/09/05–did-substance-abuse-during-pandemic-reduce-labor-force-participation.pdf. Accessed 29 Aug 2024.
Nielsen, M. B., et al. “Working at home and alcohol use.” Addictive Behaviours Reports, vol. 14, 2021. National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8444538/. Accessed 29 Aug 2024.
Sekeris, A., et al. “Trends in deaths following drug use in England before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns.” Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 11, 2023. National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10570433/. Accessed 29 Aug 2024.
