Why Does Working Make Us Drink?

The __________ industry is saturated with alcohol.

Fill in the blank.

With literally any profession.

People who work in music, TV, or radio are constantly bombarded with pressures to drink.

Corporate workers are expected to wine and dine with clients and attend parties and social gatherings.

The medical industry is renowned for its ‘work hard play hard’ mentality.

Tradespeople, ex-soldiers, hospitality staff, teachers, and lawyers have all reported consuming high-levels of alcohol due to their jobs.

Whether it’s the high-stress levels of a job or the social pressure (and let’s face it, it’s usually both), working in almost any sector seems to negatively influence our drinking behaviours.

Even anti-social jobs that require isolated work can induce excess alcohol-consumption. We live in a world where it’s as acceptable to imbibe on your own as it is with others.

Many of us spend a lot of our time working (second to sleeping), so for work and drinking to be so tied up with each other seems worrying.

There are certainly some jobs that are the exception to the rule, but nonetheless, it's shocking that so many varied professionals report this same phenomena.

So...

What Can We Do About It?

Firstly, education is important. If you spread awareness within your field about the problematic implications of alcohol in the workplace, you can change people's perspectives and raise awareness.

Having boundaries is also vital. It is not easy to say no to people when they put pressure on you to drink, but if you explain to them why this is harmful for you, they may be more likely to understand (and get off your back!).

You can also talk to managers and people in charge about this issue. The wellbeing of employees should be a top priority for people in charge, and so this is worth mentioning.

Finally, you can work on ways that help you deal with stress so you don't feel the need to reach for a drink when things at work get too much. Taking breaks and being realistic about the number of hours you can work can also help prevent this.

Many people have experienced this pressure, but it doesn't have to be this way. We can change people's minds, one workplace at a time!

Do you have experience of feeling like your job is causing you to drink more? Let us know in the comments below!

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