Frank Sooden from Alcohol Concern believes: 'Working women can often afford to drink more. And the existing culture of excessive alcohol consumption, especially for those working in predominantly male professions, becomes an additional risk factor. Employers vitally need to develop and implement a sensible alcohol policy in the workplace. Employees who show signs of alcohol abuse should receive adequate support before their alcohol consumption reaches a critical level.'
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, both men and women working with alcohol - bartenders, pub owners, catering staff - are at greatest risk. Actresses die from alcohol-related causes 1.8 times more often than the average population. They are followed by hairdressers with a ratio of 1.4. Commercial seamen die from the consequences of alcoholism - cirrhosis, poisoning, and pancreatitis - twice as often as the rest of the population.
Statistics covering only men show that middle-ranking civil servants die from the same causes 1.9 times more often than the typical population, musicians and representatives of some construction trades 1.6 times more often, bouncers and bailiffs 1.7 times more often. The corresponding mortality rate from alcohol-induced conditions is 1.4 for some army ranks: sergeant and below in the army; and petty officer and below in the navy.
The press attaché of the National Statistical Bureau comments on the findings: 'The social structure of alcohol abuse has changed so little over the past 100 years that it is even frightening.' According to the collected data, from 2001 to 2005, 16,666 alcohol-related deaths were recorded in the UK. Research results on this topic, published in the first half of the year, indicate that the number of such deaths has doubled over the past 10 years. Moreover, some experts estimate this number much higher – at 22,000 people per year.
Professor Martin Plant, an expert on alcohol addiction from the University of the West of England, says on this matter: 'The established traditions of alcohol consumption in a particular profession, the availability of alcohol, and the degree of tolerance for drunkenness at work are of great importance. That is why the rates of alcoholism are so high in show business and the catering industry.'
At the other end of the spectrum are teetotalers. Farmers have the lowest probability of dying from alcohol abuse. They are followed by high-tech managers and clergy. Priests are 50% less likely to die from alcohol-related causes than their congregation, and four times less likely than bartenders.
Among women, those who work with children have the lowest probability of falling victim to alcohol – various educators, school staff, educational advisors, nannies, both working at home and in childcare institutions. A woman working in a bar is six times more at risk of dying from alcoholism than a school worker.
Back in the 60s-80s, male doctors were one of the main risk groups, but now among them, mortality caused by drunkenness has become one of the lowest in the country. According to researchers, this is due to changes in corporate culture and a shift in the ethnic composition of medical workers, among whom the proportion of minorities is growing.
The author of the study, Esther Romeri, also claims that professional drivers are relatively less prone to alcohol abuse. They are deterred by the risk of being caught behind the wheel and losing their job overnight.
Gzt.ru