April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol Use and Its Effects on the Workplace

As one of the most commonly used substances, the effects of alcohol use by employees can have a big impact to the workplace.  Absenteeism, job turnover, accidents and injuries, increased insurance costs, theft, and increased training costs are all some of the negative effects that result from the use of alcohol and other drugs in the work environment.

Employers can encourage and positively influence workers to consider the amount of alcohol they consume and individually adopt strategies to reduce their drinking and make healthy changes to their lives.  The improvement of employee health status also helps employers enhance workplace productivity.  A win-win for everyone!

Suggestions for Reducing Alcohol Consumption

There are a number of techniques that people can use to reduce the amount of alcohol they consume.  Taking small steps toward decreasing alcohol use can yield results that improve one’s entire lifestyle. The important thing is to keep trying even if one method of cutting back on alcohol doesn’t work well.  Attempting to decrease the quantity of alcohol consumption over several months without progress may signal that it is time to speak with a physician or substance use professional for help.

The U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has these tips and suggests trying several of them together:

• Keep track of the amount you drink – Whether written down, noted on a phone app, or taking a picture of every drink, tracking it may help you realize how much alcohol you are consuming and help you to slow your drinking.

• Measure your drinks accurately – Know what a standard drink size is and how to measure the amount of alcohol when mixing drinks at home. Be aware that some drinks ordered at a restaurant or club may actually have more than one “serving” of alcohol for each drink.

• Set your alcohol goal – Pre-determining a goal for how many drinks you’ll have in a week and on what days you’ll drink will help you achieve success.

• Keep busy – Find new hobbies or activities to help fill your time, stay active, meet new people, and change old habits.

•  Avoid your drinking triggers – Staying away from the activities or people that prompt you to drink on the days you don’t want to can help you to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. 

• Plan your drinking diversions - When a trigger becomes an urge to drink, make plans ahead for what you will do to calm the urge.  It may be engaging in an enjoyable activity like taking a walk or run, visiting or talking to a trusted friend, or doing a special hobby or activity.    

• Say “No, thanks” – Being prepared to “just say no” in a friendly way is a good skill when you’re trying to cut back.  It’s common now for people to assert firm control over what they consume, be it food or drink.

For more information on the tips and strategies to reduce your alcohol consumption, please visit this website: http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/Strategies/TipsToTry.asp

Have you ever reduced your alcohol consumption?  What tips do you have for slowing your drinking?