After-Work Drinking: Risks, Consequences & Treatment

As some individuals may not partake in drinking for personal or health reasons, this can create divisions within teams and affect overall workplace cohesion, as reported by the BBC. The habit of unwinding with alcohol can become a coping mechanism, potentially evolving into dependence. This addiction can strain relationships as individuals may prioritize drinking over spending quality time with family or fulfilling professional commitments. Studies suggest that regular after-work drinking rituals, although socially and symbolically significant, primarily highlight the negative consequences for colleagues and the workplace environment.

Alcohol Abuse Statistics Amongst Full-Time Workers

After-work drinking culture has traditionally been a staple of certain professional environments, serving as a means of socializing, networking, and unwinding after a long day. However, recent trends indicate a shift in attitude towards this practice, with a growing emphasis on health and the impact of alcohol on productivity and workplace relationships. Arielle Castillo, a content producer for a soccer club based in Manchester, England, told me the constant drinking and party atmosphere at a former workplace became so relentless and exhausting that she found another job. “It can be really hard to draw boundaries in that environment,” she said, especially when networking and seeming like “one of the guys” centers on alcohol-fueled events. A 2019 study found that when employers or supervisors initiate drinking events, employees feel obligated to participate. Given that 40 percent of Americans who consume alcohol drink too much of it, linking drinking to work is most obviously not ideal for people with alcoholism and those who are at risk for it.

Mental Health and Disability

• However, drinking after work can have hidden dangers, regardless of your profession.
• However, absences due to an employee’s substance use do not qualify for FMLA leave, according to the DOL.
• Over time, this can lead to liver diseases such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and even cirrhosis.

Workplaces that encourage drinking marginalize the many Americans—as many as 30 percent—who don’t drink at all for whatever reason. Some have substance abuse disorders; others abstain for religious or health reasons or because they simply don’t like the taste or effects of alcohol. These employees can struggle in their own ways with office happy hours that put them in the awkward position of having to explain why they aren’t indulging. But the physical health implications of frequent after-work drinking go beyond just sleep disturbances.

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• Although there are no employment laws that cover the consumption of alcohol at work in general terms, there are more specific laws that cover certain industries, making drinking during work hours illegal.
• When it comes to drinking after your workday has ended, it’s important to be aware and focused on how much you’re drinking.

Many individuals turn to after-work drinks as a means to alleviate stress. The weight of the day’s responsibilities can be momentarily lifted with the first sip of a cold beverage. Alcohol, with its ability to numb the mind and temporarily suspend worries, can provide a temporary escape from demanding work situations and help individuals to relax. „The employer couldn’t simply chuckle at employee A, who isn’t an alcoholic, for coming to work hung over after a night of binge drinking while disciplining employee B, who is an alcoholic, for doing the same thing,” she said. Hoyman said the employer’s response should also take into account the company’s overall experience with the employee, the impact of the drinking on the company and the workplace, and how others have been treated in similar circumstances.

Prosecco to toast a project wrap-up, cocktails at the Christmas party, an ‘al desko’ beer to end the week, payday drinks. About 10% of Americans have experienced drug addiction at some point in their lives. If one of your employees is struggling with this disease, you might be tempted to fire him or her.

It can also lead to an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, which can further increase the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications. The appeal of after-work drinks lies in their ability to provide an opportunity for individuals to connect with their coworkers outside the confines of the workplace. Whether it’s grabbing a pint at the local pub or attending a happy hour event, after-work drinking has become deeply ingrained in our professional culture. Alcohol as a perk may also be losing its cool factor – and may even be increasingly seen as problematic. According to a survey of 2,400 workers and 250 employees in the UK from Totaljobs, more than one in three workers see drinking with colleagues as outdated. The open 24/7 beer fridges, Friday drinks trolley and booze-fuelled socials don’t sit as well with workers, and may be becoming less ingrained in corporate https://openclnews.com/health-and-drugs.html culture.

How to Control Drinking After Work

Still, to be safe, most of the experts The Takeout consulted suggest putting uniform, low, and hard limits on your alcohol intake, even if you work for a company that embraces getting twisted at parties or happy hours. A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to two drinks per event, broken by a glass of water, and sticking to beer or other low alcohol content beverages, while strenuously avoiding hard liquor, especially shots. You should also make sure to eat beforehand so those drinks don’t hit you hard. If there are bar snacks or hors d’oeuvres available at an event, eat them if you can, as well. Any time you start a new job, your best bet is to play it safe at the first few work events, watching how other people behave and mirroring them conservatively until you start to build up https://planetnew.net/news/37880-sozdatel-google-brain-sobral-175-millionov-dollarov-na-razrabotku-iskusstvennogo-intellekta.html a sense of the local drinking culture. But even if you do realize that you’re at a very permissive company, Wickre suggests that you probably shouldn’t take that as license to drink freely and frequently, because cutting loose always comes with risks, like serious embarrassment.

Trusted resources include the Substance Use Treatment Facility Locator and reputable organizations such as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). http://www.dubus.by/modules/news_klon/article.php?storyid=6 It’s essential to acknowledge that reducing or quitting alcohol can significantly improve both physical and mental health, and professional help can offer the necessary guidance and support for this journey. As the leading provider of treatment resources and everything related to alcohol abuse and rehabilitation, Alcohol.org surveyed 3,000 workers asking how often they go out for afterwork drinks and what their average spend is.

Furthermore, the rising popularity of non-alcoholic alternatives and ‘dry(ish) January’ initiatives indicates a cultural shift towards drinking less. Partnerships between alcohol awareness organizations and non-profit groups, such as Moderation Management, underscore the societal push for reducing alcohol misuse and promoting healthier, more sustainable drinking patterns. With mindful drinking, individuals are encouraged to continually assess the impact of alcohol on their lives and reflect on their motivations for drinking. For those looking to control or quit after-work drinking, it is beneficial to engage in alternative activities that provide relaxation and enjoyment without relying on alcohol. Suggesting non-alcoholic meetups, such as sports events, cultural festivals, or dining out, can shift the focus from drinking to socializing and bonding. Additionally, stress management techniques like meditation, exercise, or engaging in hobbies can offer the relief traditionally sought from alcohol.