UK - One in 10 have been drinking more because of recession

[Junkhead23]

One in 10 people are drinking more alcohol to help them cope with the stress of losing their jobs, according to new research.

Almost four in 10 said they had either been made redundant in the last six months or knew somebody who had and as a result people said they were turning to the bottle.
Half of those who are out of work admit they are drinking more during the day.
Chris Sorek, chief executive officer of Drinkaware who commissioned the study, said: "The country is facing one of its worst recessions in history and redundancies are making daily headlines.
"Losing your job is recognised as one of the top ten most stressful life events, and many people are turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
"But alcohol is a depressant and can lead to further stress and anxiety, which can make the effects of redundancy much worse."
More than seven in 10 of the 2,253 people questioned said the increase in drinking was directly linked to redundancy while six in 10 admitted they were worried about it.
Drinkaware has launched a free advice booklet "Made redundant?" which includes expert information on getting back into work and can be downloaded from its website. It is also available from GP surgeries, Jobcentre Plus and recruitment agencies.
Avis Johns, spokesperson for the charity, said: "It is easy to underestimating the damaging psychological effects of losing a job. It can be a terrible blow and damage you own mood, that of your partner and the wider family.
"There can be an urge to drown your sorrows in the immediate aftermath and that is OK. But the danger is it is so easy to get into a cycle of depression and drink which makes it much harder to get back into the job market.
"One young man we spoke to said he drank alot more in the evening because he knew he did not have to get up for work in the morning. That can become a routine and if you get up feeling dreadful after a bit too much alcohol that is not going to be the day when you go looking for a new job."
Source - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...recession.html