Daily London
Working conditions are linked to dangerous drinking habits and employers should do more to mitigate it, a new study has found.
Flinders University researchers found that while personal and social factors play central roles in heavy drinking, work-related influences such as stress and shift work also drive bad habits.
Lead author Dr Gianluca Di Censo from Flinders’ College of Medicine and Public Health and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) said the findings challenged some common assumptions.
“We often think of workplace stress as one of the main drivers of excessive drinking, but our research shows that sociodemographic and health factors are even more important,” Di Censo said.
“That said, certain work conditions do increase risk, and understanding these patterns is vital for designing effective ways in which to help those who are indulging in high-risk drinking.”
The study analysed responses from over 26,000 employed Australians and found that working more than 40 hours a week was linked to higher odds of drinking at harmful levels across the week.
Shift workers were more likely to engage in one-off high-risk drinking occasions, while those who wanted to work more hours also showed elevated risk.
“We believe that wanting more work hours may reflect underlying factors such as financial stress, workaholism, or other traits that predispose individuals to high-risk drinking patterns, which is consistent with previous research,” Di Censo said.
Job satisfaction was not a major factor, which researchers suggested the interesting probability that structural factors mattered more than enjoying your work.
Beyond workplace factors, the research revealed differences based on age, gender and lifestyle.
Young workers aged 18 to 29 were almost eight times more likely to binge drink compared to older colleagues, and men were far more likely than women to drink to excess.
Smoking emerged as the strongest modifiable risk factor, with smokers nearly three times more likely to drink at high-risk levels.
“This tells us that prevention and intervention programs shouldn’t just focus on alcohol in isolation,” Di Censo said.
“Programs that address multiple health behaviours, like smoking and drinking together, are likely to be more effective.”
Co-author Dr Kirrilly Thompson from the College of Medicine and Public Health and NCETA says the findings have clear implications for employers.
“Workplaces can’t ignore this issue. Long hours and shift work are linked to harmful drinking patterns, and myths like ‘alcohol helps you sleep’ persist among shift workers,” she said.
“Employers need to provide education about the real effects of alcohol, promote work-life balance and offer support for stress management. These steps can make a real difference.”
Di Censo said tailored approaches were key.
“Younger male workers and those in physically demanding jobs like labouring are among the highest-risk groups. Targeting these populations with relevant messaging and support could make a real difference,” he said.
“By recognising how work conditions intersect with drinking habits, employers and policymakers can help create healthier environments for everyone.”
