End office happy hours: Workplace drinking causes anxiety and other problems

Though not altogether a new phenomenon, the incorporation of alcohol in the workplace has become increasingly normalized in some job settings. Some companies openly offer alcohol to employees as a perk and even designate a day of the week for all employees to have a teambuilding or celebratory drink. With such a lax approach to alcohol during work hours, it isn’t surprising that alcohol after work has become so commonplace. Going out for drinks has become a routine for work-related celebration, whether it’s winning a new account or nailing a big presentation.

risks of drinking after work

The percentages are the same among juvenile offenders, which shows that the problematic association between criminal behavior and drinking tends to develop early in life. Underlying this risk is the fact that weekly drinking in poor neighborhoods exceeds the national average. Also, people living https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in poor communities have a relatively high level of participation in binge drinking. The key to reducing alcohol misuse in the workplace is to avoid waiting until something goes wrong before acting. There are steps that can be taken at every level of your company and for every employee.

Forcing People Back To The Office? Companies Should Think Again

Alternatively, employees undertaking exercise programs or other health-oriented activities might change their drinking behavior because drinking may not be consistent with their new healthy regimen. Furthermore, the cardiovascular system is also negatively affected by excessive alcohol intake. Regular heavy drinking can increase blood pressure and contribute to the development of heart disease. It can also lead to an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, which can further increase the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications. Engaging in regular after-work drinking can have significant repercussions on physical health.

And these beverage brands, like Red Bull®, 5-hour ENERGY®, Monster® and Celsius®, continue to fly off the shelves. In 2023, Red Bull alone racked up sales of about 7.34 billion U.S. dollars. Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues. When you have healthy habits in place to cope with unwanted feelings, you’ll probably find it easier to use these strategies to push back against distressing emotions you might experience while drinking.

Speeding Audi driver crashes into six other cars

If you already drink at low levels and continue to drink, risks for these issues appear to be low. The evidence for moderate alcohol use in healthy adults is still being studied. But good evidence shows that drinking high amounts of alcohol are clearly linked to health problems. Overall, the social and professional consequences of after-work drinking necessitate a balanced approach, blending awareness with supportive strategies to mitigate its risks. The rise of non-alcoholic options is not just a passing trend; it’s part of a larger movement towards mindful drinking. For example, the Wine Society is subsidizing mindful drinking courses for its members, demonstrating a commitment to promoting healthier drinking habits.

People who receive proper treatment can recover their sobriety and return to a productive working life. Arielle Castillo, a content producer for a soccer club based in Manchester, England, told me the constant drinking and party atmosphere at a former workplace became so relentless and exhausting that she found another job. “It can be really hard to draw boundaries in that environment,” she said, especially when networking and seeming like “one of the guys” centers on alcohol-fueled events. The appeal of after-work drinks lies in their ability to provide an opportunity for individuals to connect with their coworkers outside the confines of the workplace.

How Common are Alcohol-Related Crimes?

Beginning Wednesday, Dunkin’ is adding “SPARKD’ Energy” iced drinks in two flavors — berry burst and peach — which “provides a revitalizing burst of energy, made with vitamins, minerals and a kick of caffeine,” Dunkin’ said in a press release. Besides tons of caffeine, energy drinks also contain a powerful concoction of other ingredients like taurine, an amino acid, and herbal extracts like ginseng and guarana. But size aside, what if you want a stronger, faster jolt than a regular cup of coffee can give? Energy drink fans will argue that one can or an energy shot (a more concentrated form of energy drink) isn’t worse than having a cup of coffee. So-called “energy drinks” are promoted as a way to supercharge your mind and body by improving your concentration and focus and making you more alert.

But a worker whose condition of employment required agreeing to alcohol testing for reasonable cause can likely be terminated for this refusal, and the employer would probably be on sound legal footing, Hoyman said. She added that employers should check state and local laws on workplace drug and alcohol testing. They recruited 90 students between the ages of 19 and 40 from a university in Germany and split them into three groups. Blackouts are gaps in a person’s memory for events that occurred while they were intoxicated. These gaps happen when a person drinks enough alcohol to temporarily block the transfer of memories from short- to long-term storage—known as memory consolidation—in a brain area called the hippocampus. For the best results — especially when it comes to muscle growth — avoid alcohol and refuel with plenty of protein and carbs.

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