Work hard, play hard?

As Australians return to work after the holidays, many will be reflecting on their health and wellbeing goals for the year ahead.

New research led by Flinders University reveals that while workplace factors like long hours, work-related stress and shift work do influence high-risk drinking, personal and social factors play an even bigger role.

The study, published in Drug and Alcohol Review journal, examined more than two decades of data from the national Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey to uncover how job-related factors influence alcohol consumption among workers.

Lead author Dr Gianluca Di Censo from Flinders’ College of Medicine and Public Health and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) says the findings challenge some common assumptions.

“We often think of workplace stress as one of the main drivers of excessive drinking, but our research shows that sociodemographic and health factors are even more important,” says Dr Di Censo.

“That said, certain work conditions do increase risk, and understanding these patterns is vital for designing effective ways in which to help those who are indulging in high-risk drinking.”

The study analysed responses from over 26,000 employed Australians and found that working more than 40 hours a week was linked to higher odds of drinking at harmful levels across the week.

Shift workers were more likely to engage in single-occasion high-risk drinking, while those who wanted to work more hours also showed elevated risk.

“We believe that wanting more work hours may reflect underlying factors such as financial stress, workaholism, or other traits that predispose individuals to high-risk drinking patterns, which is consistent with previous research,” says Dr Di Censo.

Interestingly, job satisfaction and perceived job stress were not significant predictors, suggesting that structural aspects of work, such as hours and schedules, matter more than how people feel about their jobs.

Beyond workplace factors, the research revealed differences based on age, gender and lifestyle.

Young workers aged 18 to 29 were almost eight times more likely to binge drink compared to older colleagues, and men were far more inclined than women to exceed the alcohol guidelines.

Smoking emerged as the strongest modifiable risk factor, with smokers nearly three times more likely to drink at high-risk levels.

“This tells us that prevention and intervention programs shouldn’t just focus on alcohol in isolation,” says Dr Di Censo.

“Programs that address multiple health behaviours, like smoking and drinking together, are likely to be more effective.”

Co-author Dr Kirrilly Thompson from the College of Medicine and Public Health and NCETA says the findings have clear implications for employers.

“Workplaces can’t ignore this issue. Long hours and shift work are linked to harmful drinking patterns, and myths like ‘alcohol helps you sleep’ persist among shift workers,” she says.

“Employers need to provide education about the real effects of alcohol, promote work-life balance and offer support for stress management. These steps can make a real difference.

“For workplaces that demand long hours or operate on shift schedules, some targeted strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm could be really useful.”

While the study provides valuable insights, the authors caution that the findings show associations rather than cause-and-effect relationships. Still, the patterns are strong enough to inform policy and workplace health programs.

Di Censo says that tailored approaches are key.

“Younger male workers and those in physically demanding jobs like labouring are among the highest-risk groups. Targeting these populations with relevant messaging and support could make a real difference,” he says.

“By recognising how work conditions intersect with drinking habits, employers and policymakers can help create healthier environments for everyone.”

The paper, ‘Work Hard… Drink Hard? Occupational, Sociodemographic and Health Determinants of High-Risk Alcohol Consumption Among Australian Workers’, by Gianluca Di Censo, Kirrilly Thompson and Jacqueline Bowden was published by Drug and Alcohol Review. DOI: 10.1111/dar.70092

Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

For support or advice contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015