Signs of addiction among oil workers

Anyone who decides to work in the oil industry needs to realize that their life will become different from the average professional. The oil industry operates non-stop, and this is thanks to the oil workers who spend several hours on end trying to work round the clock.

Most times, they have a long hour shift, where they only take breaks for food and rest. On some occasions, they are compensated with a short holiday, and they are mostly well-paid because the oil industry is highly profitable, especially for countries that have oil in abundance.

Free Offshore Drilling Rig on Body of Water Stock Photo

Due to the tight schedule that oil workers have, they barely have time for rest and self-care. This is one of the reasons why some of them engage in unhealthy habits that can make them addicted.  

Below are some of the signs that an oil worker is struggling with addiction

Isolation and secrecy

One of the ways to know that oil worker is addicted is when they prefer to stay on their own instead of being around people, especially their colleagues.

It is important to note that addiction thrives in secrecy, this is why addicted oil workers would prefer to keep anyone from knowing about their addiction problem.

Physical signs

You can also tell that an oil worker is addicted from the physical signs. Some of these signs include body and mouth odor, lack of personal grooming, weight loss or weight gain, scratches on skin and itching, etc.

Problems in relationships

Generally, addicts tend to have fallouts with people in their lives because of their addiction problem, and oil workers struggling with addiction are not left out. They might have issues with their colleagues, spouses, supervisors, etc.

Mental health signs

Sometimes, the addiction problem comes with some mental health symptoms which can be overwhelming for the oil worker, owing to the nature of their work.

Some of these mental health signs are hallucinations, lack of coordination, paranoia, anxiety, depression, mood swings, lack of good judgment, etc.

Mental health counseling for oil workers

 Mental health can be defined in simple terms as one’s social, psychological, and emotional well-being. Stress is something more than just mood. It can affect our perceptions of the world around us, how we deal with stressful situations, and more.

People with mental health conditions typically suffer from sleep problems, decreased productivity, and feelings of loneliness without support. Despite best efforts, people may end up self-harming and committing suicide.

A person’s mental health can be affected in many ways, from mild anxiety, depression, or a mix of the two, to severe phobias, addictions, and mental disorders. It always impacts hard, no matter which way it hits.

It doesn’t matter whether the cause of poor mental health is biological or experiential – it can make everyday tasks impossible and seriously hamper day-to-day life.

Despite the high safety standards in the oil and gas sector, these are generally focused on physical health and ignore mental health. However, some companies have begun to shift their focus.

Oil and gas companies have historically failed to address mental health issues among their employees due to the male-dominated industry, and men found it more difficult to share their feelings, says Eugene Farrell, Mental Health Lead at AXA.

This must change if employers want to support the best-qualified candidates and remain competitive today. In the past, the sector compensated for shortfalls with money, but for the younger generation, this may no longer suffice.” Farrell warns.

Researchers have found that workers in the oil and gas industry experience more anxiety and depression than other populations.

There is particular pressure on workers in this sector to avoid mistakes since mistakes can result in losing lives and environmental destruction. Moreover, offshore workers often spend long periods away from their families and friends, leading to isolation, loneliness, and frustration.

Several oil and gas firms are taking action. For example, video counseling is now available for offshore employees. Employees have responded well to the tool.

In addition, some companies recognize the value of employee assistance plans (EAPs) and actively refer staff to them. Employees who subscribe to the plan can receive confidential assessments, referrals, and short-term counseling.

Health measures for oil workers

Oil workers are professionals who work assiduously to meet up with the demands of oil production.

There is barely enough time to rest and this is why they are handsomely remunerated. Anyone who wants to get into the oil industry must be ready to cope with the stress that comes with it.

The downsides of being an oil worker is the inability to inculcate healthy lifestyles. And this is why most of them end up addicted or with mental health issues.

Here are some important health measures for oil workers

Eat a healthy diet

Oil workers depend more on junks than healthy food to keep them going. One of the reasons is, they barely have time to prepare a healthy meal for themselves. In fact, for those who are married, they are not usually at home to eat a healthy diet. Hence, they rely on junks for energy provision.

This innocent but unhealthy act exposes the oil worker to sickness which can keep them out of work. Oil workers need to make a more intentional habit to eat healthy meals.

Prioritize Sleep and rest

It is important to mention that for anyone, if you don’t prioritize sleep and rest, it can adversely affect your energy levels. For oil workers, this is what happens to them when they don’t get enough sleep and rest.

They need to ensure that no matter how busy their schedule is, they should take ample time to rest. Owing to the busy schedule of an oil worker, they should sleep a minimum of 6-7 hours each day.

Take enough water

Instead of taking alcohol or other liquid substances, oil workers are advised to take much water. The reason is because, water helps to keep the cells hydrated. The oil industry is demanding, and to remain active, oil workers need to be hydrated.

There are other health measures that fall under the ones listed in this piece. Oil workers need to know that their health is topmost priority and it comes first before their career.

Reasons why oil workers get addicted

For any country that has oil as one of her major sources of revenue, the oil industry is usually one of the largest.

As you can expect, several people would be drawn to working in the oil industry because of the high salary. Not minding the job demands, most people feel the money would make up for it.

The interesting thing about the oil industry is, you don’t need the highest level of education to get started.

Different countries have their required academic qualification but it is not as high as everyone thinks. It is important to mention that one of the downsides of the oil industry is the addiction that comes with it.

Here are some reasons why oil workers get addicted

Stress

Oil workers are greatly stressed and the reason for this is not far-fetched. The oil industry is highly demanding due to the need to produce a high volume of oil daily. Hence, oil workers are expected to work round the clock to meet these demands.

Even though they take turns at work, there is little or no time for them to rest. To tackle this stress, oil workers abuse drugs or alcohol. And at first, they are temporarily relieved but with time, they discover they need more to remain stable.

At this stage, their addiction sets in because they need the addictive substances to remain stable.

Peer pressure

Oil workers are usually friends and acquaintances with one another so they share many things in common. Several oil workers abuse either drugs or alcohol and it is expected that their colleagues would follow suit in due time.

Inability to relax properly

It is common knowledge that oil workers are greatly stressed and most of them don’t know how to de-stress.

Hence, they indulge in addictive habits to help them relax. It is important to mention that asides drug and alcohol addiction, there are other types of addiction like gambling, internet, sex addiction, etc.

WHY ADDICTION IS COMMON AMONG OIL WORKERS IN CANADA

The oil industry is one of the biggest in Canada. It is also one of the juiciest, and this comes as no surprise as to why people are drawn to the industry.

The salary which the smallest oil employee in Canada would earn, is very high, and the reason why oil companies are able to pay up wages is because, oil is the top export product in Canada.

There is really no university education which is needed for a good number of the oil position, so anyone is welcome to join. Due to the fact that the salaries are high, there are a good number of things which it does for the families of oil workers.

It provides a good quality of life for the family of the employees, it caters for all the needed healthcare costs; education and the likes. However, the sad part about this is, it is one of the reasons why a good number of oil workers are addicted.

Now, looking at the demands which comes with the oil industry in Canada, it is a very stressful one.

The reason for this is, a very high output is needed on a daily basis, and hence, the industry cannot afford to slack in its production. So, workers are kept on their toes continually to ensure that the daily demands are met.

Therefore, these workers are stretched beyond their coping limit, and this makes them to indulge in detrimental activities such as substance abuse which seems to be the most prevalent.

Now, there is a misrepresentation which substance abuse gives. It makes you feel as if you are being aided to feel better. However, the effects which comes with this is short-lived, because they would need to refuel by taking more.

Since oil workers are rich folks, indulging in substance abuse does not seem to be a problem for them, because they can afford it.

With time, these individuals become addicted to substance abuse, and it begins to take a toll on their health, which makes them to stop working eventually.

ADDICTION WORKERS IN THE OIL SANDS IN CANADA

The substance abuse which is currently facing Canadian Oil workers, is one which can be referred to as destructive, as this addiction has been known to cause the destruction of lives, especially for men who initially came to Canada with the mind of making a living for themselves and their families. Eventually, they got caught up in the web of addiction, and breaking free from it becomes nearly impossible.

Now, they cannot entirely be blamed, based on the fact that the living conditions are not that great, there is a lot they have to sacrifice to ensure that they perform well as oil workers. Worthy of mention, is the fact that there is a lot of money to make in the oil industry, hence, the stress can be assumed to be worth it. This is one of the reasons why oil workers do not really take the stress to heart, since the money makes up for it.

First of all, Oil workers in Canada are known to invest in drugs and alcohol. They take these substances because it helps them calm their nerves after a hard day’s job, and they cannot be totally blamed, as it is likely that this act was also passed down to them. For instance, one prominent drug which they take, is Cocaine. In the oil sands, cocaine is very lucrative to the dealers, and accessible to the oil workers, and it is largely responsible for the causes of mental issues which is present among oil workers.

Asides drugs, the same applies to alcohol. The rate of alcohol availability among oil workers in Canada, is also on the increase. Oil workers also take alcohol in order to cool off, without knowing that there is a detrimental effect in the long run.

It is essential that oil workers who are down with addiction to either drugs or alcohol, need to seek prompt treatment in order to salvage their condition. There are a good number of working rehab centres which can adequately cater for addicts irrespective of the degree of addiction. In addition to this, addicts should also be aware that, all the love and encouragement which they can get in order to break free from addiction, is available at addiction treatment centres.