More Brits are turning to booze to banish the stress of their job

The independent charity ‘Drinkaware’ has confirmed what many of us have long suspected – we drink away our troubles after a long and stressful day at work.

Drinkaware are a UK-wide organisation who work together with drinks companies and retailers to promote safe drinking and fight the national drinking culture via voluntary donations.

They have recently conducted a survey and quizzed 2,008 UK adults aged between 30 to 45, regarding their drinking habits.  Two thirds claimed they drank simply to ‘unwind’ and nearly half (44%) commented that they would probably have an alcoholic drink following a stressful day at work. In addition, 37% said that they thought of having a drink during their commute home.

It appeared to be a case of the usual suspects in terms of what factors were to blame for people turning to booze. Over half (60%) pinpointed stresses at their workplace for one of the reasons for their drinking, half blamed money problems and 36% admitted family issues.

However, more alarmingly four out of 10 women questioned admitted they were consuming over the daily recommended limit set out by the government, which is 2-3 units for women. For men, the daily limit stands at 3-4 units and a third of the men in the survey said they were drinking more than this.

Siobhan McCann, head of campaigns and communications at Drinkaware, warned people about the dangers of overdoing it and also offered advice. She said, “Alcohol can be a ‘false friend’ when you are trying to deal with stress. Even though it might seem like a few drinks can relieve the pressures of the day, in the medium to long term it can actually add to them – whether they’re work, financial or family related. Stress can also be an excuse for people to drink more than they should, especially if they don’t realise the negative impact it can have on their health and wellbeing. Think about your evening routine – if you spend most of your time on the sofa with a drink in your hand, look at other hobbies you can enjoy with family and friends to help clear your mind. With a summer of sport ahead, there has never been a better time to get out and get active.”

What Siobhan didn’t mention was the many number of short and long-term negative impacts that  a heavy alcohol intake can have on you. Here are some of the ways that heavy boozing can be detrimental to your health and well-being:

. Liver disease such as cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis.
. Increased risk of chronic gastritis (stomach inflammation).
. Damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, leading to decreased sexual desire and impotence in males.
. Skin disorders such as flushing, psoriasis and urticaria.
. Pregnant women who drink high levels of alcohol are increasing the risk of mental and physical defects developing in the foetus.
. Effects on mental health such as depression, anxiety, cravings, irritability, etc.  Alcoholics are also known to have a very high suicide rate.
. An excessive alcohol intake can lead to hypertension. High blood pressure has been linked countless times to erectile dysfunction in men.

Of course these are just the tip of the iceberg in regards to the different ways that a heavy alcohol consumption can have to you. Maybe next time you have a stressful day at work, instead of reaching for the bottle, have a relaxing bath to unwind and then spend some quality time with your family or friends. Your body will thank you for it in the long run!