In recent years, much attention has been given to mental health within the body shop industry. We hear a lot about the importance of self-care, preventing burnout, and how to spot the signs of stress in employees. But there's an elephant in the room: the pervasive issue of alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace. If you think this problem isn't widespread, I would argue you're simply not facing reality.
While substance abuse is undeniably linked to mental health struggles, it's rarely discussed openly within our shops. Over the years, I've interacted with countless body shops and encountered employees and owners alike dealing with alcohol dependency or drug addictions. Unfortunately, there's a troubling attitude that these issues are normal and even expected. The sad reality is that we need to talk about this problem more honestly — because it’s impacting lives and businesses every day.
Personal Struggles and Industrywide Issues
Both my life and my shop have been deeply affected by the toxic culture of substance abuse that runs through the industry. As a woman who transitioned from the insurance industry, I was thrown into an environment that demanded not only technical knowledge but also earning the respect of a group of skilled technicians, many of whom were rough around the edges and initially resistant to my leadership.
The daily stress of working with insurance companies who didn’t always see eye-to-eye with me, combined with the pressures of running a business, led me to lean on alcohol. After a long day of putting out fires, a stiff drink seemed like an easy way to unwind and wash away the tension. But as time went on, I began to realize that alcohol was becoming my default response to stress. The coping mechanism was no longer helping me, and it was slowly damaging both my life and my shop.
Thankfully, I was able to turn things around. I found healthier ways to manage stress and focused on building a better relationship with my employees. But the bigger question remains: How many of our employees are dealing with their own substance abuse problems, and how are we as managers addressing them?
Substance Abuse: A Hidden Epidemic
When I began to really connect with my technicians and gain insight into other shops, I began to see a troubling trend. Painters, for instance, often turn to substances like cocaine or Adderall, thinking these “focus enhancers” help them do their jobs better. They claim they’re not addicted, that they only use these substances at work and never in their personal lives. But often, it’s a way to mask their underlying fears — that they’re not as good as the technician across the street, that they’re not fast enough, or that they lack the fine attention to detail required for the job.
Body technicians, on the other hand, tend to have a stronger relationship with alcohol. In my experience, it's rare to find a technician who isn't dealing with some level of alcohol dependency. Alcohol and cars seem to be a package deal for many in the industry. And unfortunately, depression also often plays a role. Technicians experience emotional highs and lows, which can contribute to a cycle of drinking to cope with both success and failure.
As a manager, understanding these issues and how to handle them is critical. Substance abuse can have a devastating effect not just on the individuals involved, but on the whole team. Left unaddressed, it can create a toxic environment, leading to burnout, productivity loss, and even tragedy.
The Price of Ignorance
This year, I experienced firsthand the heartbreaking consequences of ignoring the signs of addiction. One of my technicians, who had been instrumental in building my shop, lost his battle with addiction. He died by suicide, and the impact it had on his family, me personally, my employees, and the entire community was nothing short of devastating. At the time, I knew he had a drinking problem, but I was too naïve to recognize the signs of drug addiction or understand how deeply he was struggling.
I failed to see the warning signs — the erratic behavior, the mood swings, the increase in alcohol use. I didn’t grow up in an environment where addiction was common, so I misinterpreted his actions as simply difficult or high-drama behavior. I deeply regret not being more aware, not noticing the signs sooner, and failing to offer him the help he so desperately needed.
I can’t change what happened, but I share this story to make a crucial point: if you find yourself struggling with addiction, it’s important to step back and evaluate what’s going on in your life. There’s no shame in admitting that you need help or that you need to step away from situations or even the job that is causing harm. Addiction, in any form, does more harm than good, and there’s never a justification for it.
What Managers Can Do
As leaders, we have a responsibility to know our employees and recognize the signs of substance abuse. Don’t turn a blind eye to behaviors that may seem “normal,” “part of the job,” or “part of the shop culture.” We must learn to differentiate between erratic behavior that stems from addiction and the kind of “bad behavior” that’s just part of being human. Even if you’re not the one who can provide direct help, showing empathy and offering resources can make all the difference.
We must work together to create an environment where employees feel safe enough to seek help, where substance abuse is acknowledged and addressed, and where people are encouraged to find healthier ways to cope with the stressors of our demanding industry. We owe it to ourselves and to those we work with to tackle this issue head-on.
By opening the conversation about alcohol and addiction within our industry, we can begin to break the cycle and create a healthier, more supportive workplace for everyone involved.
