Alcoholism and occupation.

Abstract

, MD1OLKINUORA M. Alcoholism and occupation. Scand J Work Environ Health 10 (1984) 51 1-5 15. Occupational roles are a dominant force in many aspects of social life. Occupation signifies a complex of social and psychological factors that reflect intelligence, education, personality, ambition, social status, and life-style. The consumption of alcohol and alcoholism have many correlations with occupational roles. Mortality from cirrhosis of the liver reflects the per capita consumption of alcohol. In certain occupations such mortality rates are clearly above average. The highest risk is found in occupations associated with the serving of food and beverages. A Finnish study has shown that the alcohol-related use of health services among males is the highest among unskilled workers, painters, seamen, and construction workers and the lowest among executives and farmers. Many population studies have shown that bluecollar workers and laborers have the highest level of drinking. This pattern is not necessarily true among females. The risk factors associated with occupation include the availability of alcohol at work, social pressure to drink on the job, separation from normal social relationships, and freedom from supervision. The opportunity to obtain alcoholic beverages relatively inexpensively, when combined with social pressure by peers to drink heavily, is an especially powerful explanation for high rates of alcoholism within an occupation.

Alcohol-related hospital utilization and mortality in different occupations in Sweden in 1991-1995

“…The following occupations with an elevated risk of alcoholism in this study have previously been associated with a high risk of alcoholism in studies from different countries (mainly Great Britain and the United States) among men: seamen (1,3,7,15,16,(18)(19)(20), construction workers (3-5, 7), painters (3), bricklayers (7), sheetmetal workers (7), and waiters (2, 7). Among women an increased risk has been reported for waitresses (5,7).…”

“…Several studies have shown differing rates of alcoholism between occupations (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). It is often concluded that blue-collar occupations have higher rates of alcoholism when compared with white-collar occupations, while those outside the labor market are at the highest risk.…”

Health care utilization of carpenters with substance abuse‐related diagnoses

“…Proportionate mortality studies of construction workers in the U.S. reveal excess deaths from diagnoses associated with alcohol abuse [Robinson et al, 1995;Wang et al, 1999]; and alcohol-related use of health services, both inpatient and outpatient, has been reported to be among the highest in males who do construction work [Olkinuora, 1984]. Individuals in the construction trades have among the highest rates of occupational injury [Kisner and Fosbroke, 1994;.…”

Health care utilization of families of carpenters with alcohol or substance abuse‐related diagnoses

“…Recent national survey data in the United States report high rates of alcohol and substance abuse among individuals in the construction trades [Hoffmann et al, 1996] and proportionate mortality studies of construction workers in the United States reveal excess deaths from diagnoses associated with alcohol abuse [Robinson et al, 1995;Wang et al, 1999]. In addition, alcohol-related use of health services, both inpatient and outpatient, has been reported to be among the highest in males who do construction work [Olkinuora, 1984].…”