Determining Standards of Care for Substance Abuse and Alcohol Use in Long-Haul Truck Drivers
Section snippets
Background and significance of problem
There are approximately 9 million truck drivers in the United States, with approximately 3.1 million of these being long-haul truck drivers [5]. As a result of their job's description and characteristics, long-haul truck drivers are vulnerable to increased stress that can lead to abuse of alcohol or chemical substances. Increased stress levels have been found to increase the likelihood of abusing alcohol or drugs [2], [3], [6]. Identification of these factors that lead to increased stress is an
Study methodology
In response to the need for accurate identification of workers at risk for violence, the study, Risks for Workplace Violence in Long-Haul Truckers, was carried out by Drs. Anderson, Reed, and Browning at the University of Kentucky. This was a cross-sectional, nonintervention study design using qualitative and quantitative methods. The study period was from 2003 through 2006, and the study was funded by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (R01 OHO7931).
The study aimed (1) to
Preliminary findings on alcohol and drug use
Preliminary study findings related to drug and alcohol use indicate the following: 63.04% indicated they had beer, wine, or liquor within the past 12 months; 38.79% indicated they had used alcohol less than one time a month; 36.82% indicated they had used alcohol one to two times a month; 14.12% indicated they had tried to cut down or quit drug or alcohol use; 2.87% indicated they had taken drugs or used alcohol to make things more manageable; and 8.25% indicated they became angry when someone
What the truck drivers are saying
Important qualitative data were obtained through one-on-one interviews with long-haul truck drivers at the truck shows and truck stops and through follow-up telephone calls to these truckers after they completed the survey. These qualitative data helped to identify issues faced by the long-haul truck driver that could have negative health consequences in addition to issues that indicated further investigative research. These findings also assisted in identification of specific risk factors that
Nursing implications
In 2006, approximately 20 million Americans used illegal drugs and 17 million participated in heavy drinking [13]. Substance abuse and alcoholism have severe ramifications for the health of individuals and families. Abusers may ignore other medical conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, or mental disorders, to satisfy their addiction. Medical testing, such as radiographic imaging and blood tests, have found total systemic effects of long-term drug abuse [14]. Drug addiction may also place
Recommendations
The Workplace Violence in Long-Haul Truck Drivers study has assisted in identifying those drivers at risk for substance abuse. Recommendations for development of standards of care for interventions to meet the needs of this vulnerable population include increasing awareness of risk, making resources available, improvement of working environment, and policy changes.
References (18)
- et al.
Sustained sleep restriction reduces emotional and physical well-being
Pain
(2005) Truck transportation and warehousing, 2007
General information, emotional support and social support, stress in the workplace, stress reduction. 2007
- et al.
The role of stress in alcohol use, alcohol treatment, and relapse
Alcohol Res Health
(1999) - et al.
Healthcare and the long haul: long distance truckers—a medically underserved population
American Journal of Internal Medicine
(2004) Industry trends, costs, management of long working hours. 2004
- et al.
Coping strategies, stress, physical activity, and sleep in patients with unexplained chest pain
BMC Nurs
(2006) - et al.
Work related violence and threats and the risk of depression and stress disorders
J Epidemiol Community Health
(2006) - et al.
Fatigue and beyond: patterns of and motivations for illicit drug use among long-haul truck drivers
Traffic Inj Prev
(2007)
Cited by (16)
A systematic review of trucking food, physical activity, and tobacco environments and tractor-trailer drivers’ related patterns and practices in the United States and Canada, 1993–2021
2022, Preventive Medicine ReportsCitation Excerpt :Most sources were classified as quantitative descriptive research, including baseline data included from intervention research (n = 27; 71%) (Apostolopoulos et al., 2013; Apostolopoulos et al., 2012; Lincoln et al., 2018; Ronna et al., 2016; Sieber et al., 2014; Thiese et al., 2015; Turner and Reed, 2011; Whitfield Jacobson et al., 2007; Crizzle et al., 2020; Shattell et al., 2012; Solomon et al., 2004; Angeles et al., 2014; Apostolopoulos et al., 2016; Apostolopoulos et al., 2011; Bachmann et al., 2018; Birdsey et al., 2015; Van Hemel and Rogers, 1998; Heaton and Griffin, 2015; Hege et al., 2019; Holmes and Power, 1996; Korelitz et al., 1993; Layne et al., 2009; McGuirt et al., 2019; Mullins et al., 2013; Olson et al., 2009; Olson et al., 2016; Olson et al., 2016). Data from at least 16,600 truckers and 282 unique trucking settings in the U.S. (n = 32 studies; 84%) (Apostolopoulos et al., 2013; Apostolopoulos et al., 2012; Apostolopoulos et al., 2016; Apostolopoulos et al., 2011; Bachmann et al., 2018; Birdsey et al., 2015; Van Hemel and Rogers, 1998; Heaton and Griffin, 2015; Hege et al., 2019; Holmes and Power, 1996; Korelitz et al., 1993; Layne et al., 2009; Lemke et al., 2016; Lincoln et al., 2018; McGuirt et al., 2019; Mullins et al., 2013; Olson et al., 2009; Olson et al., 2016; Olson et al., 2016; Passey et al., 2014; Ronna et al., 2016; Sieber et al., 2014; Staško and Neale, 2007; Thiese et al., 2015; Turner and Reed, 2011; Wenger, 2008; Whitfield Jacobson et al., 2007; Gay Anderson and Riley, 2008; Shattell et al., 2012; Shattell et al., 2012; Solomon et al., 2004; Williams et al., 2017) and Canada (n = 6 studies; 16%) (Crizzle et al., 2020; Angeles et al., 2014; McDonough et al., 2014; Versteeg et al., 2018; Crizzle et al., 2020; Johnson et al., 2021) were synthesized in this review. Study characteristics of included studies are shown in Table 1.
Safety Culture among Transport Companies in Ethiopia: Are They Ready for Emerging Fleet Technologies?
2023, Sustainability (Switzerland)Pre-injury health status of truck drivers with a workers’ compensation claim
2022, BMC Public HealthPrevalence of HIV infection and high-risk behaviors in truck and bus drivers in Kurdistan province
2021, BMC Infectious Diseases
Funding for this research project was made possible by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health grant R01 OHO7931.