Holiday drinking 'can mask addiction'

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by Change | 21 Nov 2008

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Drunk colleagues at Christmas parties lead a third to worry whether they might have an alcohol addiction.

alcohol abuse during festive celebrations can be symptomatic of more serious problems, a new study suggests.

Research by US firm Caron Treatment Centres finds more than a third of attendees observing a colleague's inappropriate level of drinking believed it might indicate a deeper issue such as alcohol addiction.

Of those seeing a family member engaging in behaviour of this type, 54 per cent considered this possibility.

The service's regional vice president Dr Harris Stratyner claims the festive period means many "look the other way" but would see these levels of drinking a symptom of potential alcohol addiction at other times of the year.

Among the inappropriate behaviours the research suggests are most common is drink driving, which 58 per cent of co-workers observed colleagues doing.

In addition, 44 per cent were seen revealing inappropriate personal details about themselves and almost half flirted with colleagues or a supervisor.

Dr Stratyner warns: "When alcohol prompts bad behaviour at holiday celebrations, that can indicate something more serious is lurking."

He says substance abuse of this kind can lead to injury or death, as well as impacting on the drinker's reputation, job situation, relationships and health.

The government suggest 45 per cent of victims of violent crimes believe their attacker was intoxicated when the incident occurred.

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