Irish workers struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, and depression, survey finds

One in 10 Irish employees said they had a diagnosis of depression.

One in five workers in Ireland are struggling with illegal substance use, according to a healthcare survey.

Some 16% of employees in Ireland said they were addicted to or have an unhealthy relationship with Class A or illicit drugs, while two in five workers reported having an addiction or an unhealthy relationship with at least one substance. 

Of those, 29% of workers reported having an unhealthy relationship or addiction to nicotine, while 21% said the same with alcohol.

The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index 2024 surveyed 1,000 employees and 200 human resources leaders across Ireland and looked into addiction, mental health concerns as well as shifting work trends. 

It highlighted that men, particularly those aged 24 and under, and those with a disability or health condition, were “more likely to struggle with addiction.” 

It also found senior managers were more likely to have an unhealthy relationship with substances compared to those in more junior roles.

The report also identified that 33% of employees admitted to having an unhealthy relationship with social media, while 30% reported an unhealthy relationship with work. One in five respondents also said they had an unhealthy relationship with pornography or sex. This mirrored the figure of 19% for those with a gambling addiction.

The survey also found one in two employees reported living with an underlying health condition or mental wellbeing issue, with anxiety and depression being the most commonly cited conditions. One in 10 Irish employees said they had a diagnosis of depression. 

Some 54% of those with a health condition or disability said they would be embarrassed to speak to their employer about it, while one in two feared being treated differently if they disclosed it to their employer. 

Additionally, nearly half of all employees (48%) said they were unaware of support resources that were available to them. 

Some 15% of employees said they were neurodiverse, with ADHD being the most common, affecting 7% of respondents. This was followed by autism at 4%, and dyslexia at 3%. 

Meanwhile, the survey also highlighted a shift in working trends in Ireland, with regard to hybrid and full-onsite working models.

Only 10% of employees now work remotely full-time, compared to 26% of those working hybrid, and 64% working on-site full-time.

Half of HR respondents reported an increase in the number of office-based days in the last year, saying it positively impacted productivity by 52%, collaboration by 50% and staff wellbeing by 41%.

The report also addressed the “always on” culture which still persists, with 37% of employees saying they were being regularly contacted outside of work hours via email, WhatsApp, on personal numbers and personal phones.