Almost two thirds of UK workers drink alcohol for work-related reasons

• 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.

CASE STUDY (available for interview and follow up)

Patrick Fox, Community Champion for Alcohol Change UK, no longer drinks alcohol. Here, he reflects on how work and his drinking came hand-in-hand before he changed his relationship with alcohol:

“I’ve had a varied career across many different sectors, but alcohol was prevalent in all of them. It was a focal point of pretty much everything and there was an unwritten expectation to drink. The challenge was – working in the banking sector for example – a lot of alcohol was free and so readily available. At events, there would be buckets of beers and wines on tables, so I would go and drink as many as I could as quickly as possible.

“From birthdays, promotion celebrations and leaving dos to classic Christmas parties, summer balls or just to mark the end of the working day – there were multiple opportunities to drink. At the time, I wouldn’t have told you that I noticed the impact this was having on me. It was so accepted that you’d go out for drinks on Thursday and then muddle your way through Friday. It was the norm, not the exception. It wasn’t just me; it was many other people doing that and there was no kick back.

“This combined with drinking every weekend and other substances, meant my mood would fluctuate massively – sometimes I’d go into work happy and up for it and other days I’d be down and low. I would sleep in the filing room or go to the toilet to shut my eyes for 15 mins and re-energise myself because I was feeling so bad. Looking back, I realise that’s crazy – how did I live like that? But at the time, it was just normal.

“It’s only now looking back that I see just how much of an impact alcohol was having on me in the workplace. Rather than thinking about my career, I was excited about going to work for all the wrong reasons, like going out after work. It kept me stuck and I couldn't put more effort in because I didn’t have the energy. My body was constantly in recovery mode.

“Rethinking my relationship with alcohol has radically changed my life and career path. For the past five years, I’ve run my own life coaching business, something that didn't seem possible when I was in a culture of drinking in the workplace.

“Sadly, many of the men I coach still hold the belief that after work drinks are the way to get promoted, get business done and that team building events are largely alcohol related. I think this is starting to change and would love to see employers doing more to build togetherness that feels inclusive to all and is not just with booze.”

For interviews, case studies and to find out more about alcohol harm, please contact: [email protected]

Spokespeople available for interview/further comment:

• Jane Gardiner, Head of Consultancy & Training at Alcohol Change UK
• Susan Laurie, Consultancy & Training Manager at Alcohol Change UK

About the research

¹ Reverse of those who said NA - I don’t drink alcohol because of anything to do with my work, NA - I don't drink alcohol, and ‘Prefer not to say’

² Strongly agree and somewhat agree combined

³ All those who drink alcohol and strongly agree and somewhat agree combined

⁴ Somewhat disagree’ and ‘Strongly disagree’ responses combined

⁵ Reverse of those who said ‘N/A – I don't think employers have a responsibility to address alcohol in the workplace’ and ‘not sure’

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,007 UK Employed Respondents (aged 18+). The data was collected between 06.06.2025 - 10.06.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

About Alcohol Awareness Week

Alcohol Awareness Week – an annual campaign by Alcohol Change UK - is an opportunity for the UK to get thinking about drinking, raise awareness, and encourage positive change. Each year, thousands of charities, workplaces, local organisations, and community groups join in, hosting events and sharing resources to improve understanding around alcohol harm.

This year’s theme ‘Alcohol and work’ focuses on how work environments and pressures can influence the way we drink, and how we can build healthier, more inclusive workplace cultures. From long hours and stress to peer pressure at work events, these environments can affect our health, wellbeing, and productivity. But by putting people, not alcohol, at the centre of workplace culture, we can improve confidence, safety, and morale across all sectors—from offices to frontline services.

This Alcohol Awareness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to explore the links between alcohol and work, take practical steps to cut back, and create spaces that support wellbeing and inclusivity. From individuals to employers, there’s something for everyone to learn and share.

So, if you do one thing this week, start by watching our new film, taking part in the campaign, and joining the conversation. Together, we can create healthier habits and happier workplaces.

About Alcohol Change UK

Alcohol Change UK works for a world free from alcohol harm. We fund, commission and share research; provide information and advice; work to ensure more and better support and treatment; encourage better policy and regulation; shift drinking cultures through our campaigns; and work to change drinking behaviours. Find out more at: alcoholchange.org.uk.

Important advice on alcohol withdrawal

People who are clinically alcohol dependent can die if they suddenly, completely stop drinking. If you experience fits, shaking hands, sweating, seeing things that are not real, depression, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping after a period of drinking and while sobering up, then you may be clinically alcohol dependent and should NOT suddenly, completely stop drinking.

But you can still take control of your drinking. Talk to a GP or your local community alcohol service who will be able to get help for you to reduce your drinking safely. Find out more on the Alcohol Change UK website: alcoholchange.org.uk.