New research has uncovered a troubling link between the rise of remote work and an increase in hidden alcohol consumption across the United Kingdom. The study suggests that the flexibility of home working is enabling secretive drinking habits, placing unprecedented strain on health services.
The Home Office Becomes a Drinking Den
Analysis conducted by the private mental health and addiction service provider, The Priory, indicates that more than a quarter of people are now drinking more alcohol since shifting to home-based work. This trend, accelerated by pandemic-enforced lockdowns, has created an environment where consumption can go unnoticed by colleagues and managers.
Perhaps most concerning is the finding that one in six people suspect someone close to them has increased their drinking since they began working remotely. The issue appears most acute in major urban centres and among higher earners. In London, one in three people surveyed admitted to drinking more.
The data reveals a stark income correlation: among those earning over £100,000 a year who work from home, 43 per cent conceded they are consuming more alcohol than when they commuted to an office.
National Health Service Under Strain
While broader figures indicate Britons are drinking less overall due to inflation, health awareness, and demographic changes, alcohol abuse continues to cripple health services. Despite a marked decrease in consumption, particularly among younger generations, many still exceed the NHS recommended limit of 14 units per week.
The consequences are visible in treatment statistics. The latest NHS data shows that more adults are now receiving support from drug and alcohol services than at any time in over a decade. In the 2023/24 period alone, more than 30,000 adults in England were in treatment—the highest number recorded since 2009.
The Priory's own figures are alarming: since 2020, requests for their alcohol treatment services have increased by nearly a third. Their study also found that 17 per cent of people sought help for addiction in the past three years, while 26 per cent worry about a loved one's drinking habits.
Experts Warn Against 'Binge or Bust' Approach
Debbie Longsdale, a psychotherapist and director of therapy services at The Priory, explained the psychological shift. "With less expectation of being present in person, employees have the freedom to manage their day, work calls and virtual meetings around their schedule – and, as we’re seeing in our addiction therapy programmes, that can also be around their drinking," she said.
Her warning comes as approximately 17.5 million people in the UK embark on Dry January, attempting to abstain from alcohol for the month. However, experts caution that this popular trend may foster an unhealthy cycle.
Julian Braithwaite, CEO of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking, told the Daily Mail: "If you want to change your relationship with alcohol longer–term, a single month of abstinence is not necessarily the answer." He advocates for "moderate, sustainable habits" over a "binge–or–bust approach."
For those concerned about their drinking, the NHS advises contacting a GP, who can provide an assessment and refer individuals to specialist clinics for counselling and support with withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms—including anxiety, shakiness, vomiting, and a fast heart rate—typically resolve within a week.
