Do workaholics have high chances of turning into alcoholics? A new study reveals that people who work more than 48 hours a week will drink more heavily. Furthermore, they are more likely to consume risky levels of alcohol which can lead to health problems.
The researchers conducted an analysis of 61 studies from all over the world (14 countries) which include United Kingdom, Germany and even the United States. They found out that those who are working longer than normal are 11% more likely to become heavy drinkers than those who are not working for more than 40 hours.
This study was the first of its kind that examines how people who start working longer hours becomes heavy drinkers and practice drinking habits that are dangerous and risky. Through studies, the researchers including Marianna Virtanen at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki and her colleagues discovered that those who work for 49 to 54 hours were 13 % more likely to start drinking at a more dangerous level. Dangerous or risky level drinking entails consuming 14 alcoholic drinks a week for women and 21 a week for men.
Past studies have found out that working for longer hours can be linked to unhealthy lifestyles such as lack of exercise and increased consumption of alcohol. However, these evidences do not exactly tell how they are related and have not dealt in depth the characteristics of the association between the variables.
The analysis of the new study entails data from more than 330,000 people. According to their findings, too much over time work is linked to heavy drinking regardless of biographical data like gender, location and socioeconomic standing.
Drinking alcohol provides an avenue to unwind and relax. They cope with stress through unhealthy habits. Stress, depression and other problems are masked through alcohol and in the long run, the more stress they experience, the more they drink.
