May 24, 2007 (Insidermedicine) Employers who discourage drinking both at work and at home tend to employ workers who drink less, according to a study published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

While some research suggests a little alcohol is beneficial for health, regular drinking can contribute to high blood pressure – which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke – and increase the risk of cancer, liver disease, brain damage and premature death. Besides the long-term effects of alcohol, drinking contributes to road accidents, violence and abuse, and marital break-ups.

The line between social drinking and alcoholism can be a difficult one to judge. Many people who start out as social drinkers become dependent on alcohol. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 14 million Americans either abuse alcohol or are alcoholics.

A recent study pooled the workplace attitudes towards drinking and drinking behaviors in more than 5,000 employees and managers of 16 different organizations. They were asked to reveal whether they thought alcohol boosted workplace morale, was good for business, alleviated boredom, improved health, was harmful, or set a bad example.

It was found that approximately one in five workers was considered a heavy drinker outside of work, which is defined as four or more drinks per day for men and more than three for women. A further 8% were classified as frequent drinkers, defined as consuming alcohol on five or more days of the week outside of work, and 11% consumed alcohol at work.

Workers in organizations that discouraged social drinking were 45% less likely to be heavy drinkers than those in workplaces with a more relaxed attitude towards drinking. They were also 45% less likely to be frequent drinkers and 69% less likely to drink during the workday.

The findings emphasize the importance of workplace culture in shaping attitudes towards drinking, and highlight the role employers can have in changing drinking patterns and preventing alcohol problems.

Reporting for Insidermedicine, I’m Dr. Petra Joller.