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[267] - When Coping Becomes a Crutch. Shift Work Mental Health and the Hidden Addictions
Manage episode 493006179 series 3340621
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In this episode, I open up about something many shift workers experience but few talk about openly: the dangerous coping mechanisms we turn to when the pressure gets too much. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, pornography, or gambling — what starts as an escape can quickly spiral into something far more damaging.
As a former shift worker myself and a coach to thousands of others, I want to share what I’ve learned — not from judgment, but from real experience.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✅ How disrupted sleep patterns and hormonal chaos fuel poor mental health
✅ The link between isolation, chronic fatigue, and impulsive habits
✅ Why substances and distractions feel helpful — but make it worse
✅ What recovery really looks like (hint: it’s not about going cold turkey overnight)
✅ How to spot early warning signs in yourself or a colleague
✅ The power of one small daily habit — like a morning walk
✅ How talking to a trusted GP or friend can change everything
✅ Practical tools to start choosing better — and feeling better
If you’ve ever thought “I’m not myself lately”, this episode is for you.
And if it feels like too much to fix on your own — good news: you don’t have to.
👉 Take one small step today.
Visit ahealthyshift.com or come join us in the Shift Workers Collective — a safe space to talk, learn, and grow. You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And change is possible.
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ANNOUNCING
"The Shift Workers Collective"
https://join.ahealthyshift.com/the-shift-workers-collective
Click the link to learn all about it
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YOU CAN FIND ME AT
COACHING
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Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.
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Chapters
1. Welcome to A Healthy Shift (00:00:00)
2. Why Mental Health Declines in Shift Work (00:03:09)
3. Harmful Coping Mechanisms Explained (00:05:37)
4. The Long-Term Impact on Mental Health (00:08:38)
5. Five Strategies to Turn Things Around (00:10:50)
6. No One Is Coming to Save You (00:16:00)
7. Episode Closing and Resources (00:19:16)
264 episodes
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