The researchers looked at data from over 330,000 people in 14 different countries. The study showed that people who work for long hours were 11% more likely to engage in heavy drinking. This translates to 2 million people drinking heavily because of long working hours.
The parameters the researchers used to conduct the study were: over 14 drinks a week for women and over 21 drinks a week for men being labeled as ‘risky’ drinking.
Marianna Virtanen, of the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki and one of the authors of the study, said, “Although the risks were not very high, these findings suggest that some people might be prone to coping with excess working hours by habits that are unhealthy, in this case by using alcohol above the recommended limits. Although with this type of study, you can never fully prove the cause and effect relationship.”
The researchers stated that people who worked longer hours may be trying to reduce the stress of their workloads by consuming excess amounts of alcohol. Therefore, in some cases, it actually may be the employer’s fault if an employee becomes a problem drinker. They also added that the workplace is an important setting for the prevention of alcohol misuse, because more than half of the adult population is employed.
Cassandra Okechukwu, assistant Professor, Harvard School of Public Health and co-author of the study, said, “The paper supports the longstanding suspicion that many workers may be using alcohol as a mental and physical painkiller, and for smoothing the transition from work to home. Many workers are working long hours, and there are many efforts to curtail regulations against working long hours. However, policymakers should think carefully before exempting workers from restrictions on working long hours.”
Return to News Home
