In societies, the workplace or work environment refers to the physical location where people work, including homes, agricultural farms, schools, governmental and non-governmental organizations, manufacturing plants and factories, shops, health organizations, the military, large companies, etc.

Because adults usually spend a significant amount of time at the workplace, the ratio of satisfying and fulfilling experiences versus stressful or threatening ones, can significantly affect the health and well-being of employees, and thus their susceptibility to the use of psychoactive substances. Stressors related to employment, such as high work expectations, lack of control and job insecurity, can also affect the likelihood of an employee using psychoactive substances. Accordingly, psychoactive substances are often used as means to reduce stress and tension and to help employees cope with working conditions.

The negative effects of using psychoactive substances on employees include absenteeism, tardiness, fatigue, job loss, illnesses and increased health costs. Of the particular concern is the use of psychoactive substances by employees who are responsible for the health and safety of other people (pilots, doctors, security personnel).

Workplace interventions lead to visible changes in the behavior or impact on the work of employees, and in addition to health benefits for employees, estimates show that for every convertible mark invested in workplace safety and health, the return for the employer is approximately twice as high. Prevention of addiction in the work environment in the institution/company is achieved through early intervention together with management and employees.

Association for Addiction Prevention NARKO-NE, in partnership with the Institute of Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with the support of the Association of Employers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, during 2024 conducted research on the supervision and protection of the health of employees in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a focus on addiction diseases . The research is available at this link.

The Addiction Prevention Competence Centre implements the Healthy Work Environment for All prevention program, which companies/institutions/organizations that care about their employees’ health and safety and wish to improve the working atmosphere can join. The goal of a comprehensive approach to the use of psychoactive substances in the workplace is not punishment, but the prevention of the occurrence or escalation of psychoactive substance use and, when necessary, the identification of employees who use psychoactive substances, as well as enabling treatment and reintegration into the work environment.