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Many people drink alcohol to help them relax after a tough day at work. It’s a substance also common at parties, social gatherings, and leisurely activities. However, the excessive or long-term use of alcohol can lead to alcoholism. A glass of wine or one beer can easily turn into a whole bottle or case. Heavily relying on a substance for relaxation or emotional relief can be unsafe and lead to future health problems.
At our rehab facility in Pennsylvania, we understand how easily addiction can take root. Work stress and alcohol use go hand in hand, and it’s common for daily alcohol use to spiral out of control. We advise individuals who turn to drug or alcohol abuse for stress relief to seek treatment with us and learn how to cope with stress healthily.
Determining Factors of the Relationship Between Alcohol Abuse and Work Stress
Work stress and alcohol use is a common duo in the U.S., despite its dangers to a person’s physical and mental health. The idea of a woman or man cracking open a bottle of wine or beer after a long day of work has been normalized in television shows and movies. However, what’s not often portrayed is the aftermath of relying on binge drinking as a form of therapy. There are many aspects of a person’s job that could lead to this type of behavior. Some determining factors of the relationship between alcohol use and job stress are work demands, the person’s inability to participate in decision making at work, and work conditions.1
Work Demands
A fast-paced schedule jam-packed with tasks and deadlines can be physically and mentally taxing. Working with this type of schedule every day can cause frustration, anger, helplessness, and of course, stress. Because of alcohol’s sedative effects, many people count on it to forget about their worries. The relaxed feeling it produces is what entices people to turn to drinking in an attempt to escape from their difficulties.
People who rely on drinking to get through stressful situations increase their risk of forming an addiction. Anyone struggling with alcoholism should receive treatment right away and can begin their recovery process with our medically monitored detox.
Inability to Participate in Decision Making
Lacking the ability to make decisions that can affect your job can be frustrating. Supervisors or other coworkers who do have that ability may not always be considerate of the needs of others. Being unable to have a say in your schedule or workload can lead to stress and a hostile work environment. Undergoing this kind of situation can push someone to turn to unhealthy habits, like substance abuse, to cope.
Witnessing a loved one struggle with addiction can be difficult. That’s why we also provide a family treatment program to help anyone who has a loved one with a substance abuse problem. While they receive their treatment, you can learn more about how to cope with the strains of addiction and rebuild the relationship in a healthy way.
Work Conditions
Work conditions can also cause someone to turn to drinking alcohol for stress. Being in a hostile, unsafe, or uncomfortable work environment can lead to pain and worry. According to the results from the 2008 to 2010 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, higher rates of alcoholism were reported in people with jobs in the mining and construction industries.2 Both of these industries are often associated with unsafe and hostile work environments. With numerous individuals working on several dangerous tasks at once, tensions can run high. The more stressful or unsafe the job is, the higher the chances the employee will turn to substance abuse as a way to treat what they’re feeling.
At Clearbrook Treatment Centers, we understand the connection between work stress and alcohol use. Our staff of professionals have seen the unfortunate effects of addiction and strive to treat all our patients with care. In our alcohol addiction program, patients will learn about the source of their alcoholism and how to overcome it. By learning why they initially turned to substance abuse, patients can better understand how to avoid any triggers in the future.
If you or a loved one need substance abuse treatment, do not wait to get help. Call us now at 570-536-9621 to get help and get sober.
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