The U.S. foodservice industry has been identified as having the highest incidence of employee illicit drug use among all sectors of U.S. industries. This qualitative study attempts to identify the factors contributing to this top position in comparison to other industries (i.e., retail or transportation) and whether these factors are different than in other industries. Behavior theory and reinforcement sensitivity theory are the primary theories that created the foundation for this research. In-depth employee interviews were conducted to examine both possible motivators for and possible inhibitors to illicit drug use. The findings identified environmental workplace norms that both encourage and discourage employee illicit drug use, and also revealed reward stimuli that seem to boost employee illicit substance use and punishment stimuli that dampen it. Future empirical investigations using the study’s findings are recommended to identify solutions to decrease the foodservice illicit drug usage
