Loneliness, fatigue, and boredom are the leading causes among truck drivers and drug abuse. Most truck drivers abuse cocaine and amphetamines Drug abuse among truck drivers can cause addiction and death
Truck drivers are some of the professionals who are highly prone to substance abuse. Drug abuse is a result of their solitary lives, traveling days and nights for countless miles without company. They are expected to work for 70 hours in eight days and get paid as per the miles they cover. The working conditions often pushes them beyond their physical capabilities, risking their wellbeing. To fight loneliness, boredom, and fatigue, some of them turn to alcohol and other drugs.
What Causes Drug Abuse Among Truck drivers?
Although many people would not expect truck drivers to abuse drugs, it is a serious issue that the government and industry regulatory are fighting. Poor working conditions are the main cause of drug abuse, according to a study conducted on truck drivers. As a result of the desolate nature of the job and the long hours spend on the road, they turn to a mind-altering substance to deal with the situation. The more shifts truck drivers make, the higher the pay. The rush to cover more miles has led to high substance abuse as they try to give the body the resilience it needs to cover longer shifts.
To keep up with the demand, they take more drugs which can lead to overdose and death to the drivers or other road users.
Side Effects of drug abuse
- To keep awake for long periods, truck drivers turn to drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines. Others turn to alcohol to keep them distracted. The side of consuming these drugs include:
- Agitation
- Impaired driving
- Hallucination
- Dependence
- Reckless driving
- Death through accidents
Although the trucks on our highways keep our economy going, stress and loneliness are pushing drivers into drug abuse. Drug abuse affects not only the driver but also the company owner and the country at large. Truck drivers are encouraged to take enough rest, do more day driving rather than night driving, join wellness programs and the company owners should impose maximum hours on the road per day.
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List of sources
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/truck-drivers
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-drug-truckdrivers-idUSBRE99O0T520131025
- https://www.drugaddictiontreatment.com/addiction-in-the-news/addiction-news/truck- drivers-and-substance-abuse/
