The trend of enjoying an after-work drink has a new twist; according to research released in January, 19.2 million U.S. employees are either drinking during the workday or nursing hangovers in the workplace.
A recent study conducted by the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found that about 15 percent of the U.S. workforce drinks during the day or just before going to work, while more than 9 percent have come to work with lingering hangovers.
The study additionally found that those who drink on the job tend to do so infrequently. More than 60 percent of those who admitted to drinking at work reported that they mixed alcohol and work less than monthly. Meanwhile, 14 percent surveyed said they drink at work on a weekly basis.
Certain occupations lend themselves more toward alcohol use, according to the study. Jobs in management, retail, entertainment media and food preparation were just a few of the occupations that were found to go hand-in-hand with a higher likelihood of drinking at work.
Irregular work hours also increased the subject's probability of having a drink or two before clocking in.
Additionally, the research found that men are more likely to drink on the job than their female counterparts, and nursing a hangover while on the clock was most common with younger or unmarried employees.
Kathleen Weaver, the director of public communications at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions, said the pool of people who admitted to drinking at work or prior to work may fall into a variety of categories.
"Some people just have a drink at lunch, while other people may take a drinking break the same way people take smoking breaks," she said.
The study has garnered media attention because it was the first to delve into the drinking tendencies of Americans while at work, she said.
Weaver said Michael Frone, the study's principal investigator, wanted to research the topic so he could provide employers with statistics they could use as an aid in launching alcohol prevention programs for their employees.
"Basically the purpose of the study was to investigate whether a problem with drinking in the work place exists," Weaver said. "Dr. Frone discovered it does exist and he wants to do further research."
The study's findings were the product of a 1½ year research project, which surveyed nearly 3,000 employees between the ages of 18 to 65 in 2002 and 2003. Funding came from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Oscar Casas, a senior pre-med major from Las Cruces, N. M., said although he never has mixed alcohol with work, he has witnessed the effects of his co-workers drinking during their breaks.
"After their lunch shift, they come back intoxicated," he said.
Cindy Nichols, an intake coordinator at the center for drug and alcohol treatment referral, said she fears those who drink at work will put themselves and others in danger when they get behind the wheel to drive home.
Nichols said she believes drinking at or before work is a habit often embraced by alcoholics.
"They are alcoholics, and they survive on alcohol," she said.
Other tendencies paired with alcoholism include behavioral changes, Nichols said.
"Sometimes they get angry and lash out at people," she said. "Often, they have no money in their account because they've spent it all on alcohol."
Nichols said she recommends that anyone who finds himself drinking during the workday or exhibiting the aforementioned characteristics seek help immediately.
For further information, call the hotline (800) 527-5344.
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