• Job stress, anxiety, pressure and insecurity driving up work-related alcohol use in the past year
• Over a third (36%) of workers agree they feel more comfortable talking about mental health in the workplace than alcohol
• More than 8 in 10 (83%) workers believe employers have some responsibility to address alcohol in the workplace

Released to mark the start of Alcohol Awareness Week (7-13 July 2025) – run annually by Alcohol Change UK – which this year focuses on the relationship between alcohol and work, the survey of more than 2,000 employed UK respondents explored how our working experiences may be influencing our drinking habits and the ways in which alcohol consumption may be impacting our work. The findings also point to strong appetite among employees for preventative action and education around alcohol at work, with a large majority recognising the role that employers play in improving staff health and wellbeing.

In the past 12 months, among those who report drinking alcohol for work-related reasons:

• Four in 10 (40%) drank more alcohol due to work-related anxiety²
• Almost four in 10 (38%) drank more alcohol to cope with stress at work²
• Over a third (36%) drank more alcohol because of pressure or deadlines at work²
• Almost three in 10 (29%) report increased alcohol consumption due to job insecurity²

When asked about our all-time drinking habits related to work, the availability of alcohol in workplaces, the provision of alcohol for free, and work-related stress were the top three reasons.

Jane Gardiner, Head of Consultancy & Training at Alcohol Change UK, said:

“Although the work we do is hugely varied, this research suggests that in the last year many of us have been drinking more alcohol in an attempt to manage work-related stress, anxiety, pressure and job insecurity.

“Yet, from poor sleep and hangovers to high blood pressure, depression and other health conditions, alcohol can take a big toll on our health and wellbeing. While it may offer short-term relief for some, over time it’s more likely to worsen feelings of stress, anxiety and pressure and lead to a cycle of self-medicating that can be hard to break free from, even if we want to.”

What does this mean for performance and productivity?

While the research suggests that work is influencing our drinking habits, only one fifth³(21%) of workers believe their alcohol consumption outside work, such as on weekdays, evenings or days off, impacts their job performance. A majority (59%) disagree⁴ that their drinking of alcohol impacts their performance.

Almost twice as many men³ (27%) than women (15%) say that alcohol impacts their performance at work, while this is also more common among those exceeding the Chief Medical Officers’ low risk drinking guidelines of 14 units per week³ (33%). 14 units is the equivalent of six pints of normal strength beer or lager or a bottle and a half of wine per week.

This mirrors the findings of a report published this Spring by Alcohol Change UK, Harms Across the Spectrum, which found that those of us exceeding 14 units of alcohol per week report more absences and days of reduced performance compared to non-drinkers.

To illustrate the scale of alcohol’s impact on workplaces, research from the Institute of Alcohol Studies suggests that alcohol-related absenteeism or reduced performance costs the economy around £4 billion annually in England alone.

Is alcohol on the agenda and where does it fit?

This latest poll found that just over a third (36%) of workers agree² they feel more comfortable talking about mental health in the workplace than alcohol. A similar proportion (33%) agree² their workplace would benefit from alcohol awareness and education, while almost four in ten agree² (38%) they would welcome their employer organising staff training and education about alcohol in the workplace.

Just 9% of workers think employers don’t have a responsibility to address alcohol in the workplace, while more than four in five⁵ (83%) cite at least one area they feel sits with employers to address alcohol in the workplace. When asked where they see alcohol fitting into employers’ responsibilities, preventative action within mental health support and via policies and processes, were deemed as the top three areas among employees – reflecting an overall keenness from workers to see alcohol on the agenda.

Gardiner added: “Mirroring the progress seen in mental health in the workplace in recent years to drive conversations, boost compassion and support and reduce stigma, it’s so encouraging to see such strong appetite for alcohol awareness and education from workers.

“What’s hugely positive is that employees appear to recognise that preventative, proactive action is where alcohol factors in – above reactive action when an issue presents itself. It’s this kind of support that will start to make alcohol less of a taboo subject, raise awareness of the impact of our drinking habits on our overall health and wellbeing and prevent avoidable alcohol harm before it happens.”

Alcohol Change UK will launch a series of films this Alcohol Awareness Week (7-13 July 2025) exploring the relationship between alcohol and work, alongside sharing wider information, advice and opportunities to get involved in the campaign.

For more information about Alcohol Awareness Week and the ways you can get involved, visit the Alcohol Change UK website.

Click here to read the full article, cases study and to find out more about the research.

Check out the Alcohol Change UK RIA Member profile here  .