Almost two thirds of UK workers report drinking for work-related reasons, according to a survey of more than 2,000 people by Alcohol Change UK. ‘Job stress, pressure and anxiety’ had all caused people to increase their consumption in the past 12 months, said research released as part of Alcohol Awareness Week.
The theme of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week – which runs from 7 to 13 July – is alcohol and work. More than a third of workers said they felt more comfortable talking about mental health in the workplace than alcohol, with 40 per cent reporting drinking more because of work-related anxiety, 38 per cent drinking more to cope with stress at work, and 36 per cent drinking to cope with the pressure of deadlines. Almost 30 per cent also reported drinking more because of fears over job insecurity, but just 21 per cent thought their alcohol consumption during the evening and at weekends was having a negative effect on their work performance.
However the findings also pointed to a ‘strong appetite’ among employees for preventative action and education, says the charity, with more than 80 per cent of workers believing that employers have some responsibility to address alcohol in the workplace.
Alcohol health campaigners recently criticised the government’s new Ten-year health plan for England for its failure to include ‘key policies’ to tackle alcohol-related harm, such as tighter advertising restrictions or the introduction of minimum unit pricing.
‘Although the work we do is hugely varied, this research suggests that in the last year many of us have been drinking more alcohol in an attempt to manage work-related stress, anxiety, pressure and job insecurity,’ said Alcohol Change UK’s head of consultancy and training, Jane Gardiner. ‘Yet, from poor sleep and hangovers to high blood pressure, depression and other health conditions, alcohol can take a big toll on our health and wellbeing. While it may offer short-term relief for some, over time it’s more likely to worsen feelings of stress, anxiety and pressure and lead to a cycle of self-medicating that can be hard to break free from, even if we want to.
‘Mirroring the progress seen in mental health in the workplace in recent years to drive conversations, boost compassion and support and reduce stigma, it’s so encouraging to see such strong appetite for alcohol awareness and education from workers,’ she continued.
More on Alcohol Awareness Week here