According to internal federal documents obtained by The Washington Post, drug testing in 2016 showed that almost eight percent of railroad workers involved in accidents tested positive for marijuana, ecstasy, benzodiazepine, cocaine, morphine, and OxyContin. The number of drug-positives test obtained after accidents was ten times higher than ten years ago. In 2014 the number of all positives in random tests for all railway workers including engineers, dispatchers, and train crew rose to 256 in just one year. In 2015 it was 43 percent. The Federal Railroad Administration also found that among workers other than employees who repair rail cars and train engines, alcohol use was five times higher.
Railroad Workers & Drug Testing
Railroad workers are some of the most heavily drug tested employees in the country. In 2015, railroads transported 14.2 million carloads of freight and 565 million passengers. So it comes at no surprise that these workers are drug tested before they are hired, randomly throughout their career, and after any significant mistakes made. However, with increasing numbers of drug use in the general public there is also growing numbers among railroad workers. Just as the opioid epidemic affects the general population it too affects the railroad industry. The U.S. Department of Transportation has seen growing numbers of natural opiate and amphetamine use.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported 891 rail fatalities in 2013. The Federal Railroad Administration reported 11,564 train accidents and incidents in that same year. In 2014, the New York City subway reported 145 “collision with individual” incidents. The National Center for Intermodal Transportation surveyed 363 commuter railroad operating employees for a 2011 report and saw that 43.6 percent of them had been involved in at least one critical incident—accidents, near misses, collisions, personal injuries or contact with people or equipment on the tracks. Of those employees, 12.1 percent reported symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the incidents. They also reported higher levels of intrusive thoughts, trouble sleeping and working, and depression. In March 2014, the Federal Railroad Administration announced a rule that American railroads must each put in place a “critical incident stress plan” to address the mental health needs of employees after accidents. That mandate came out of the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act. Employees are urged to use their employee assistance programs (EAP) if needed and to support one another. For more information on EAPs click here.
Railroad Workers, Addiction Issues & EAPs
All employees that work long hours under stressful conditions can feel the urge to self medicate to help ease the stress or work longer hours. Employees who have been through accidents and incidents on the job who do suffer from PTSD, depression, or other mental health issues may also try to self medicate so that they do not have to deal with their mental health disorder. Drinking with PTSD can worsen symptoms. For more information about the negative effects of self medicating PTSD with alcohol click here.
It is important for all railroad workers to seek the help they need. The EAPs that are in place can aid them in getting the help they need for any mental health issues they may face or recovering from substance abuse without the fear of losing their job. If they need help with both mental health and substance abuse, they should look for a treatment center that offers a dual-diagnosis program. It is always better to address these issues sooner rather than later. Getting the help they need can save themselves, their co-workers, and passengers.
Addiction Treatment for Railroad Workers
If you are a railroad worker and suffering with addiction and or mental health issues, Recovery Ways can help. We understand the unique problems facing railroad workers and may be able to work directly with your EAP. Please reach out to our admissions team and they can verify your insurance benefits immediately. Call 1-888-986-7848 or contact us here.
