October is Substance Use Prevention Month, and NAHB and its partners are taking the opportunity to continue to raise awareness about the importance of preventing substance misuse in the construction industry.

Construction workers have nearly two times the rate of substance misuse (15%) as the national average (8.6%) and are more likely to be affected by opioid addiction. The nature of the work, with tight deadlines and physical demands, can lead to self-medication, potentially opening the door to abuse.

NAHB and its partners — including SAFE Project, the Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI), MindWise Innovations, and others — have several resources available to train workers on substance misuse and associated risk factors, including:

1. NAHB-JSI video toolbox talks on Mental Health, Substance Misuse (also embedded below) and Administering Naloxone
2. Learn Strategies for Managing Mental Health Safety Toolkit
3. How to Help in a Crisis Toolbox Talk
4. Sign the No-Shame Pledge Today

Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has helpline resources available on its website for mental health and drug or alcohol use disorders, prevention and recovery in both English and Spanish.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.