According to the study, most workers spend about two hours drinking after work, which can extend their day to 11 hours. Alcohol is the most widely misused substance, and frequent drinking can lead to dependence or addiction. In the tech industry, the rise of remote and hybrid work models has reduced the incidence of in-person after-work socializing, leading to a decline in drinking as a bonding ritual.

If you’re concerned about someone who drinks too much, ask a professional experienced in alcohol treatment for advice on how to approach that person. Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped. For women, more than three drinks on any day or more than seven drinks a week is heavy drinking.

At the same time, the general ADA duty to accommodate applies in cases where alcoholism qualifies as a disability. That means you need to be ready to evaluate whether an effective accommodation can be made. For help, check out 5 tips for accommodating employees with alcohol use disorders. In the United States, moderate drinking for healthy adults is different for men and women. It means on days when a person does drink, women do not have more than one drink and men do not have more than two drinks. Every person has their own reasons for drinking or wanting to reduce their alcohol consumption.

Best Ways to Support a Coworker Struggling with an AUD

In many organizations, drinking at work is even encouraged, with some companies proudly promoting their Thursday afternoon beer cart perks for recruitment purposes. 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. HRMorning, part of the SuccessFuel Network, provides the latest HR and employment law news for HR professionals in the trenches of small-to-medium-sized businesses. Rather than simply regurgitating the day’s headlines, HRMorning delivers actionable insights, helping HR execs understand what HR trends mean to their business.

Social Pressures in After-Work Drinking Dynamics

We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. Drinking alcohol is so common that people may not question how even one beer, cocktail, or glass of wine could impact their health. Alcohol is a part of cultural traditions all around the world…and it’s also a drug that chemically alters the body.

Alcohol safety tips

1. Outside of work, she spends free time listening to audiobooks and solving crossword puzzles.
2. It has also become a substitute for networking and brainstorming; a third of American workers think drinks after work is good for team bonding.
3. Plan a formal intervention meeting with the employee involving HR and a supervisor.
4. No one should assume the information provided on Addiction Resource as authoritative and should always defer to the advice and care provided by a medical doctor.

It powers key functions and processes like movement, memory, speech, thought processes, and more. Your liver produces enzymes that break down alcohol, but your liver can only handle so much alcohol at one time (approximately 1 ounce per hour). “Excessive alcohol consumption can cause nerve damage and irreversible forms of dementia,” Dr. Sengupta warns. Long-term alcohol use can change your brain’s wiring in much more significant ways. Your gut microbiome is a hotbed of bacteria that help keep your digestive system happy and healthy. The trillions of microbes in your colon and large and small intestines are critical to proper digestion.

RESOURCES

This systemic approach underscores the need for comprehensive solutions to address the intertwined issues of alcohol does reese witherspoon have fas use and mental health disorders. Studies reveal that over half of U.S. adults with mental health conditions are employed, and 70% of those struggling with substance use disorders, including alcohol addiction, actively participate in the workforce. This raises an important concern about worker safety, colleagues, and the public they serve.