It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours. It is important to prioritize health and well-being when making informed decisions about alcohol consumption. While excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure, moderate consumption may have the opposite effect. This is because alcohol can affect the production of hormones that regulate blood pressure, either by constricting or dilating blood vessels.
Alcoholic liver disease is a spectrum of disease that includes steatosis, where an excess of fat builds up in the liver, and alcoholic hepatitis, where liver cells are chronically inflamed. The most severe form of liver disease is alcoholic cirrhosis, which is where fatty liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue and can no longer function. Liver damage can lead to irreversible symptoms including jaundice, swelling of legs and abdomen, internal bleeding, fever, brain fog, and nausea.
High Blood Pressure
Clearly explain the potential consequences of continued alcohol use at work. Whether you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. The review analyzed 63 studies that included more than 300,000 participants in 14 countries to measure the relationship between hours worked and risky alcohol use.
Looking Ahead: Rethinking Alcohol’s Role at Work
If you already drink at low levels and continue to drink, risks for these issues appear to be low. For example, it may be used to define the risk of illness or injury based on the number of drinks a person has in a week. Many people drink alcohol as a personal preference, during social activities, or as a part of cultural and religious practices. Knowing your personal risk based on your habits can help you make the best decision for you.
Strategies for Establishing Alcohol Boundaries
The review found, on average, that people who worked more than 50 hours a week were 28 percent more likely to engage in risky use of alcohol compared to those who worked hours a week. This is also a sign of alcohol use disorder and should be treated accordingly. Remember that what might be normal for one person isn’t the same for another. One drink might be safe for some people, but it might be too much for others.
What if You Are Accused of Drinking Alcohol at Work?
Chronic drinking can affect your heart and lungs, raising your risk of developing heart-related health issues. Past guidance around alcohol use generally suggests a daily drink poses little risk of negative health effects — and might even offer a the 5 risks of drinking after work few health benefits. People who binge drink or drink heavily may notice more health effects sooner, but alcohol also poses some risks for people who drink in moderation. Many people with alcohol use disorder hesitate to get treatment because they don’t recognize that they have a problem. An intervention from loved ones can help some people recognize and accept that they need professional help.
- This is why drinking too much can lead to dehydration and even kidney damage.
- Because of this, heavy drinkers are particularly susceptible to sudden periods of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.
- Engaging in physical activities like establishing an exercise routine can be a great way to let off steam.
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) warns that persistent alcohol consumption can lead to a cycle of addiction and a myriad of health issues, affecting organs and bodily systems.
- When you stop drinking, you might notice a range of physical, emotional, or mental health symptoms that ease as soon as you have a drink.
The Hospo Drinking Cultures project, which draws on animated documentaries, provides an instructive example of how workplace drinking cultures can be changed. “Our research suggests that while drinking can become an unproblematic extension of employees’ labour practices, it can take a mental and physical toll on workers,” Dr Duncan says. While after-work drinking was a common form of social bonding and “relaxing” after a shift for many hospitality workers, drinking on shift was central to one hospitality group in the study. Drinking also impacts the sex-related hormones of testosterone and estrogen. This can also create a negative correlation between alcohol and sex drive. This can deregulate menstrual cycles, cause or worsen infertility, and most disconcertingly, be a risk factor for some estrogen-mediated breast cancers.
Recognizing that you need help is the first step on your road to recovery. Many companies are interested in supporting employees with alcohol problems. They recognize that alcohol use disorder affects millions of people, regardless of age, gender, race, and other factors.
- This is because alcohol can affect the production of hormones that regulate blood pressure, either by constricting or dilating blood vessels.
- However, at higher doses, these effects may become more pronounced, leading to anxiety and nervousness.
- This fosters a healthier environment and protects both employees and the organization.
- Happy hour and after-work drinks often go hand in hand with long days on the job, providing networking opportunities and a chance to unwind.
- Depending on the severity and recurrence of the issue, disciplinary actions may range from formal warnings to suspension or termination.
- One of the signs of an alcohol use problem is that you keep drinking even though you know your drinking is causing problems in your life.
However, these laws are getting slightly confusing with the increase in work-from-home jobs. While work-related drinking was said to foster social and workplace connections and to make work more pleasurable and productive, the researchers also noted its potential to lead to people being excluded. In both hospitality and corporate settings, drinking was part of team cohesion and bonding, while in some hospitality settings, drinking on shift was seen as creating an atmosphere that drew and retained customers. Building on previous work, researchers investigating workplace drinking cultures have proposed a different way of conceptualising work-related drinking that could transform workplace policies and practices. Lastly, hormonal imbalances related to alcohol use can also deregulate naturally-occurring cholesterol in the body and contribute to high cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Considering these hormonal dysregulations, unhealthy alcohol use can also contribute to low bone density for older men and post-menopausal women.
She attended East Carolina University and earned a Bachelor’s degree from New York Institute of Technology. Outside of work, she spends free time listening to audiobooks and solving crossword puzzles. If you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages and feel that your urination is more frequent or urgent than it should be, it may be a good idea to cut back on your intake to see if your symptoms improve.
For some people, the ritual of having a drink or two after work becomes a habit that’s hard to break. A systematic review published recently finds that this sort of habit can lead to unhealthy behaviors. Still, by setting clear expectations and boundaries with staff, HR can play a role in curbing destructive drinking behaviors.
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