Workplace Substance Use and Acceptance Among Nightclub Employees: a Qualitative Investigation

Abstract

Most investigations of substance use in nightclubs are from a club goers' perspective. Consequently, that leaves an understudied population—the nightclub employee. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory qualitative study investigated substance use at work by nightclub employees and the conditions of acceptable workplace consumption. This study selected a nonprobability purposive sample consisting of seven semistructured, in-depth interviews with nightclub employees from Miami, Florida. Findings revealed that all of the employees participated in workplace substance use, and found it acceptable to engage in substance use at work under the following conditions: the selection of substance (stimulant preference or alcohol) and quantity (low to moderate dosage). The environment and availability of substances in the nightclub normalized workplace substance use. Employees felt that management had a substantial influence in the acceptance of workplace substance use because managers would either ignore or outright encourage the intake of substances on the job.