Substance Use in Entrepreneurship: The Real Cost You Can’t Ignore
Entrepreneurs are much more likely than the average person to struggle. We need to speak out more.
As entrepreneurs, we’re wired to push our limits, take risks and grind until we hit our goal. We also know this is not a healthy path to take (this is why you’re reading this, right?), but one of the things that’s not often talked about is substance abuse. And, no, we’re not just talking about the odd drink after a hard day. Recent studies show some serious, unsettling links between entrepreneurship, addiction, and the toll it takes on both our lives and our businesses and i’ve been doing a deep dive on this impact.
The Entrepreneurial Mind: High Drive, High Risk
Turns out, entrepreneurs are much more likely than the average person to wrestle with mental health issues and substance abuse. Check this out:
Twice as likely to struggle with depression
Three times more likely to abuse substances
Ten times more likely to have bipolar disorder
Twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts
This stuff can affect any of us, no matter how “tough” we think we are. But admitting it doesn’t come naturally to most founders.
The Cost to Your Business
Substance use doesn’t just hit personal health, it tanks our productivity and costs the economy a small fortune. A study in Canada found that substance use knocked $15.7 billion off productivity in a single year. That’s over $400 per person. Here’s the kicker:
Alcohol: 38% of the costs
Tobacco: 37%
Opioids: 12%
This isn’t some “big company” problem. For any startup or small business, every employee, and every workday, matters. Substance issues can seriously undermine all the hard work we put into building something great.
Productivity Pitfalls: Absenteeism and "Presenteeism"
Substance use doesn’t just mean people miss work. It means they’re less effective when they’re there. Some hard-hitting stats:
24% of workers admitted to drinking during the workday at least once last year.
In emergency rooms, 16% of work injury patients had alcohol in their system.
It gets more specific: A U.S. Postal Service study found workers who tested positive for illicit drugs had 60% more absenteeism than their clean coworkers.
A Look at Healthcare Professionals
While no industry is immune, healthcare gives us a glimpse into the real danger. Around 10% of nurses are dependent on drugs, often prescription meds. The irony? These are the people keeping us healthy. It’s a brutal reminder that substance use issues don’t discriminate by industry or status.
A Smarter Approach to Health and Productivity
So what can we do? As leaders, we’ve got to acknowledge the reality of our high-stress lives and do something about it. Here are a few steps that actually work:
Set up a clear drug-free workplace policy—one that doesn’t feel “Big Brother” but focuses on genuine support. (this may also include not encouraging drinking!)
Give employees mental health resources. Make help accessible and stigma-free. Be open and honest.
Build a culture where work-life balance isn’t a joke, and where it’s okay to take time for yourself.
And most importantly, walk the talk. If you need support, get it. Let others know it’s okay to do the same.
A healthy business is powered by healthy people. So if you feel you’re becoming dependent on any substance to get you through the day, talk to someone.