From Taboo to Transparency: Why we need to improve conversations about alcohol at work

Karen Tyrell , Drinkaware CEO, shares why she believes better workplace discussions can help destigmatise conversations about alcohol across society in the UK.??

In recent years, we've seen a significant shift in how society discusses mental health. The once-taboo topic is now openly addressed, and individuals feel increasingly comfortable discussing their struggles and seeking support. Both people's relationship with their mental health and with alcohol exists on a continuum; people exist on a sliding scale somewhere between the best relationship and the worst, and where you sit on this continuum is not static but is fluid and can change depending on what’s going on in your life.

How people view and talk about this shift has extended to the workplace, with many companies emphasising the importance of supporting their employees’ mental health and offering practical advice and support. This transformation had a positive impact on mental health awareness and helped to reduce associated stigma. Now, it's time for the UK to apply the same approach to conversations about alcohol, recognising the importance of fostering open and honest dialogues both in society and the workplace.

Each year at Drinkaware, we commission The Monitor report, our annual survey of over 10,000 people that dives into drinking habits and behaviour in the UK. Alongside the consistent questions we ask to get an understanding of how things are changing, this year, we added questions to explore how people feel about conversations around alcohol.

While the connection between mental health and alcohol dependence is clear, conversations surrounding them are viewed very differently. We found that three in five (59%) UK adults do not think our society is understanding of people with drinking problems, rising to 65% in Scotland. We need a cultural shift where addressing alcohol-related issues is met with empathy and understanding rather than judgment. Our goal at Drinkaware is to move to a society where individuals can openly address their relationship with alcohol, seeking support from family, friends, and even their employers.

Achieving this vision requires an understanding that societal attitudes towards alcohol conversations need to evolve. Only 29% of adults would feel very comfortable having a conversation with family and 24% with friends about their drinking, compared to 45% with a partner. Interestingly, women feel most uncomfortable about having this conversation, with a third (33%) feeling uncomfortable having a conversation about a friend's drinking compared to 25% of men. Employees cannot be expected to feel comfortable discussing their alcohol-related struggles with their colleagues and employers if they do not feel comfortable doing so with the people closest to them.

We want to help shape a future in the UK where individuals feel confident discussing alcohol-related concerns with their employers, knowing they will receive support rather than scrutiny. To achieve this, we must collectively challenge societal norms and cultivate an environment that promotes understanding and compassion for those struggling with alcohol issues.

People can learn more about their drinking habits and get free tips and advice by doing the Drinkaware Drinking Check. This short quiz helps you find out if your drinking is putting your health at serious risk, visit www.drinkaware.co.uk. And it might start a conversation.