Addiction can sneak up on a person in many ways. Rarely, if ever, does an individual develop a substance abuse addiction intentionally. Many addict’s stories involve a set of misfortunes that started initially as a harmless act. Perhaps a person was injured, and was prescribed opiate painkillers at their local doctors office. There are several innocent-seeming acts that can lead someone down the path to addiction.
Being overworked has proven to be a top contributor to increased drinking. Recent studies have found that individuals who work 48 hours or more in a week are more likely to engage in risky alcohol consumption. Risky alcohol consumption is defined as women having 14 or more drinks in a week, and men consuming 21 or more drinks in a week. Working longer hours, or being a “workaholic”, has been loosely attributed to increased drinking for some time. Television and movies typically show an individual who works long hours in a bar after they finally leave the office. Though this has been acknowledged in media, science is beginning to show proof that working longer increases alcohol consumption.
A troubling thought regarding this study is the fact that the individual drinks more, with less time on their hands. If they are spending more time at work, they have less time for leisure activities. What little time they do have at the end of the day is being filled with alcohol consumption. This can lead to an individual associating leisure or free time with drinking, which can be a dangerous association. When alcohol consumption becomes the main recreational activity, addiction can become much more likely. Attributing alcohol to fun can also be unhealthy because the individual fails to live a well-balanced life. Less time, and more drinking, leaves much less time for exercise or other healthy outlets that well-rounded, healthy individuals have in their lives.
If you’re struggling with a problem with alcohol abuse, Harmony Foundation offers programs to help you get your life back on track. If you would like to learn more about out programs, contact us for more information.