Is alcohol affecting your work-life balance?

Let’s talk About Alcohol Awareness Week 7 to 13 July

We all know how easy it is to reach for a glass of wine or beer after a long day. But when work stress, long hours, and social pressures start shaping our drinking habits, it’s worth asking, how much is too much?

This Alcohol Awareness Week, we are joining the national conversation with a timely theme: ‘Alcohol and Work’. Whether you’re working full-time, part-time, studying, volunteering, or in between roles, it’s a chance to reflect on how alcohol fits into your everyday life, and how small changes could improve your health, mood, and energy.

The focus on work

Work-related stress, late nights, and ‘just one’ at after-work drinks can all make alcohol feel like a quick fix. But drinking to cope with anxiety or switch off can backfire and affect your sleep, relationships, and long-term health and wellbeing.

In Surrey, over 25% of adults drink at levels that could be harmful. In 2023 alone:

• 350 people died from alcohol-related causes in the county
• working-age adults, especially those in their 40s and 50s, accounted for the highest hospital admissions for alcohol-related illness
• more than 1,500 years of working life were lost among men due to alcohol harm

That’s a huge personal and economic cost, but it’s also preventable.

Know your limits

Many people are surprised to learn how much they’re actually drinking.

The UK’s low-risk drinking guidelines advise, for men and women, no more than 14 units per week, spread over at least three days.

So what does that look like?

• 6 pints of beer (4% Alcohol By Volume (ABV))
• 6 medium glasses of wine (175ml at 13% ABV)
• 14 single shots of spirits (25ml)

Even small amounts can affect your health over time. But by becoming more aware of what’s in your glass, you can make choices that support your energy, sleep, and focus.

Take the Alcoholwise Test

It only takes 2 minutes to get a better picture of your drinking habits. The Alcoholwise Test gives you a quick, confidential assessment and signposts support if needed.

Healthier habits start with small steps

Cutting down doesn’t mean cutting out completely. Some easy ways to start:

• have a few drink-free days each week (the free Drink Free Days App can help)
• swap to smaller servings or lower-alcohol options
• plan alcohol-free alternatives to socialising such as coffee catch-ups, walks, or meals

Most importantly, if you’re struggling, or simply want to make a change, support is available.

Support in Surrey

• Information, tools and guidance are available on Healthy Surrey
• Drug and alcohol support (self-referrals welcome): 0300 333 5932
• Catch 22 - Support for under-25s: 01372 832905
• Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care – helpline: 0808 802 5000