Risks and rewards: The challenge of worker wellbeing in the AOD sector

Drug and Alcohol Research Connections (the newsletter of three Australian university AOD research institutes) has published an article titled “Risks and rewards: The challenge of worker wellbeing in the AOD sector.” The article describes a research project that used data from the 2019-2020 AOD National Workforce Survey. The article takes a nuanced view of burnout - recognising that AOD workers can be both exhausted and cynical (e.g. burnout) whilst also feeling dedicated and committed to high quality service delivery for clients. The situation where workers are both burnt-out and highly engaged is common to professions involving complex situations that might be both demanding and rewarding. The study found around 25% of AOD client service workers were both burnt-out and highly engaged. This group was referred to as “over-extended” - enthusiastic but exhausted. The article includes links to worker wellbeing resources that can be used to support this group of workers.

Go to “Risks and rewards: The challenge of worker wellbeing in the AOD sector.”