Drinking Problems Among Employed, Unemployed and Shift Workers

Abstract

The relationships between drinking problems and current employment status, current occupation, unemployment, shift work and alcohol-related problems were investigated. A household survey of 993 persons in Durham, an area near Toronto, Canada, was involved. A scale of 14 alcohol problems and symptoms was used. The highest rates of problems were among shift workers and the unemployed. The workers most likely to have serious problems were in processing/manufacturing, transport, artistic/literary/recreational and sales areas. Males with serious problems and shift workers reported drinking more when unemployed. Sanctions for work-related drinking problems, even for those with serious dependency, were rarely applied. Priority targets for programs to assist employees with drinking problems should be males in the above-mentioned job areas.