Last Updated:
June 10th, 2025
Seeking Rehab as a Business Profesional
You’ve found yourself slipping further into addiction but your job leaves no room to breathe, let alone seek help. Do you keep going until it consumes everything? Many do. But it doesn’t have to end that way. No matter what industry you’re in or how impossible it feels right now, there are ways to recover without walking away from everything you’ve built.
We explore how addiction affects professionals across sectors, why it happens and what support is available if you’re ready to take the first step.
Why would a professional turn to substances?
At first glance, it might seem puzzling. Professionals often have steady incomes, structured lives and responsibilities that suggest stability. So why would someone with a good job and perhaps a family to provide for get involved with drugs or alcohol? The answer isn’t simple, because addiction rarely is. Substance use can creep in for many reasons and being employed or successful doesn’t make someone immune.
Here are six common reasons why professionals may turn to substances, each with its own story:
- Work pressure
A high-stakes job can bring relentless stress. A solicitor handling emotionally draining cases, for example, might start using stimulants to power through long hours or alcohol to unwind after court.
- Boredom
Some roles are well-paid but monotonous. A corporate accountant stuck in repetitive tasks might begin using cannabis in the evenings to break the dull routine and feel something different.
- Night shifts
Doctors, security staff or airline crew often work irregular hours. One A&E nurse working nights might start using amphetamines to stay alert, then turn to sleeping pills to rest during the day.
- Social expectations
In some sectors, drinking or drug use is ingrained in the culture. A junior consultant trying to impress clients might feel pressured to keep up at work events involving heavy alcohol or even cocaine use.
- Loneliness
Professional success can come at the cost of connection. A regional manager constantly travelling for work might feel isolated and use alcohol in hotel rooms to fill the emotional gap.
Addiction doesn’t follow logic or status. It finds its way in through the cracks, no matter what job title sits on a person’s email signature.
What industries are most affected by addiction?
It’s easy to assume that addiction only affects certain professions. Tabloids would have us believe that high-flying professionals and celebrities are at the heart of drug culture, with 40% of drug-related news stories focusing on them. In contrast, only 6% mention non-professional workers or the unemployed. But the reality tells a different story, one that proves addiction doesn’t discriminate.
While some evidence does suggest that illicit drug use is more common in certain job types, such as routine and manual labour roles, addiction is found across every industry. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey found that people in manual jobs were twice as likely to report illicit drug use compared to those in professional roles or those not working. However, surveys show that many in employment, regardless of occupation, are affected by both alcohol and drug use.
For instance, one Health and Safety Executive survey found that 13% of working adults had used drugs in the past year, rising to 29% for workers under 30. Cannabis was the most common, followed by ecstasy, amphetamines and cocaine. A&E data suggested even higher usage, with 21% reporting drug use in the previous year.
Alcohol misuse at work is also widespread. A survey found that a third of employees had turned up to work with a hangover, with 15% admitting to being drunk at work. Over 200,000 people in the UK are estimated to go to work hungover every day, especially younger adults.
While these stats don’t specifically state that there is an addiction issue, they do show how substances and the workplace are closely linked, leaving the door open for addictions and dependencies to form.
Ultimately, these statistics remind us that addiction isn’t confined to one type of person or profession. Whether you work in a warehouse or a boardroom, addiction can take root. That’s why support needs to be accessible, confidential and judgement-free—because anyone can be affected.
(NOTE: These stats are from a PDF file and are found on pages 6-8 under the title: 2.2 Prevalence and patterns of use among the employed)
I have an addiction but I can’t find the time for rehab
If you’re in a demanding career, the idea of stepping away for a month or more to attend rehab might feel impossible. You might be responsible for a team, tied into client contracts or juggling family commitments alongside a high-pressure job. You can’t just walk away and hope everything will be waiting for you when you get back. That’s exactly why so many professionals find themselves sinking deeper into addiction, because they feel trapped. The fear of losing everything becomes the reason for not getting help, even when it’s needed most.
But getting help doesn’t always mean walking away from your responsibilities. There are flexible treatment options designed with people like you in mind.
Outpatient rehab offers a lifeline
Outpatient rehab allows you to receive treatment while continuing to work. Sessions can be scheduled in the evenings or on weekends, and online options make fitting around a busy calendar even easier. You might attend one-to-one counselling during your lunch break or log in to a therapy group after work, all while living at home and maintaining your routine.
In contrast, inpatient rehab requires you to fully step away from your daily life and check into a facility, which, while incredibly effective for some, isn’t always practical for professionals who can’t afford a long absence from work. It also comes with higher costs and less flexibility in terms of ongoing work communication.
Outpatient care may not provide 24/7 support like residential treatment, but it can still be powerful. It gives you access to expert therapists and relapse prevention planning, all without sacrificing your career.
You don’t have to choose between your job and your recovery. With the right approach, you can protect both.
How can I find outpatient addiction recovery programmes?
If you’re ready to start your recovery but need a flexible option that fits around your life, UKAT can help. Our outpatient programmes are designed for people who can’t commit to full-time rehab but still want expert support and real progress. Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, drugs or behavioural addictions like gambling or sex, we’re here for you.
We offer tailored therapy sessions, including evening and online options, so you can keep up with work or family responsibilities while getting the help you need. You’ll be supported by experienced therapists who understand the unique challenges professionals face.
Take the first step. Contact UKAT today, and let’s find a recovery plan that works for you.
Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click here to see works cited)
- Alcohol, Drugs and the Workplace – the Role Of …, www.bma.org.uk/media/1067/bma_alcohol-and-drugs-in-the-workplace-_oct_2019.pdf. Accessed 16 May 2025.
