Denver's women-only program for mental health, trauma and substance use.Call Admissions 833.754.0554
Call 833.754.0554Verify Insurance

Signs of alcohol abuse in the workplace

If work and alcohol are becoming harder to separate, call Women’s Recovery at 833.754.0554 for a conversation.

If this is close to what you’ve been living with, start with one conversation. You don’t have to be in crisis, and you don’t have to know what to call it. That’s our job.

Created by Tim Francis, SUD and Mental Health Content Specialist

Updated

You deserve a conversation centered on your concerns, dignity, and choices.

Dark sofa and coffee table in a furnished room

Original article

Difficulties related to alcohol addiction treatment for women can include impaired control and occupational consequences, while these alcohol use warning signs for women offer broader context.

Every weekday, millions of Americans drink alcohol before work or while on the job. And millions more do their jobs while coping with the effects of a hangover. While many of those affected are men, women also make up a significant percentage of affected workers. If you fall into this sizable category, you may need to seek out women’s alcohol abuse treatment. By knowing what to look for, you can seek expert help as soon as possible.

Are you or your loved one affected by alcohol use in the workplace? Turn to Women’s Recovery by calling 833.754.0554. We specialize in helping women from all walks of life regain their sobriety. That includes women who lead busy professional lives. With help from our convenient outpatient programs, you can recover from alcohol problems while still meeting your important obligations.

Dark sofa with patterned pillows and a glass table

What Is Alcohol Abuse?

What exactly qualifies as alcohol abuse? This term can actually be used in a couple of ways. One common usage is alcohol consumption that goes beyond mild or moderate levels. Experts also refer to such a level of consumption as alcohol misuse. What constitutes this form of abuse or misuse? Under current guidelines, it applies to women who consume more than three drinks a day or seven drinks a week.

In its second common usage, alcohol abuse is a diagnosable drinking problem. It occurs when you don’t have alcoholism, but your drinking still seriously impairs your ability to function. Both alcoholism and this form of alcohol abuse are part of a single condition: alcohol use disorder, or AUD. They often occur together.

Plum armchairs beside a window table

This topic: Behavioral Changes

Many of the this topic are behavior-related. Things you may notice in yourself or others include:

  • Repeated use of mouthwash or breath mints
  • Falling asleep at working
  • Taking alcohol to work
  • Disappearing for no apparent reason while at work
  • Having unusual difficulty completing everyday tasks
  • Avoiding coworkers or supervisors
  • Recurring tensions with coworkers or supervisors
  • Not meeting workplace deadlines
  • Acting belligerently or aggressively toward others
  • Frequently showing up late or missing days of work

Affected people may make repeated excuses for their unusual workplace behaviors.

This topic: Physical Changes

You may also notice a range of physical or appearance-related changes. Many of these changes are signs of a hangover, which may include:

  • Headache
  • Unusual sensitivity to light or sound
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Achy muscles
  • Sweating
  • Vertigo

You may also notice other things. Potential examples include bloodshot eyes, rumpled/wrinkled clothing, uncombed hair, alcohol on the breath, or bad breath.

Lounge with purple chairs, cream sofa and table

Why Consider Women’s Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

If you’re a woman with alcohol problems, you may benefit from gender-specific treatment. Why? Women often drink for different reasons than men. As a rule, they also develop alcohol problems at a faster rate than men. In addition, women in alcohol treatment often have needs that don’t fully align with the needs of men.

By its design, a co-ed alcohol treatment must try to meet the treatment requirements of both men and women. Unfortunately, this means that women, in particular, might not receive the best possible recovery support. A woman-focused program will help you avoid this unwanted and detrimental situation.

Lounge with purple chairs and dried flowers

Seek Women’s Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Women’s Recovery

At Women’s Recovery, we focus solely on the needs of women in alcohol treatment. This targeted approach helps ensure that you receive the full benefits of your recovery efforts. Need treatment that allows you to stay on the job? We offer help in the form of two different kinds of outpatient programs. For more information on those programs, fill out our online form or call us today at 833.754.0554.

Common questions

Explore articles on mental health and substance use and substance use care that sees the whole woman for related guidance. Call admissions when you want to discuss your own situation.

Call Admissions
01 Does frequently working with a hangover mean I have an alcohol problem?

A difficult morning after drinking can happen without proving an alcohol use disorder. Pay attention to repetition and impact: missed work, reduced concentration, strained relationships, or drinking to feel able to function. If those patterns concern you, discussing them with a treatment professional can help you understand your choices.

02 How can I approach a woman I care about when alcohol is affecting her work?

Begin with specific observations and genuine concern rather than labels or accusations. Choose a private time when she does not appear impaired. You might say that you have noticed changes in attendance, focus, or well-being and that you care. Leave room for her to decide whether and how to seek support.

03 What happens when I first seek help for workplace-related drinking?

Your first conversation can focus on what has been happening, how alcohol is affecting work and daily life, and what kind of change feels possible. Treatment choices may include behavioral therapy, mutual-support groups, or medication discussed with an appropriate prescriber. You do not need to have already chosen a path.

04 Will my employer know if I seek alcohol treatment?

Confidentiality depends on whom you contact and the circumstances. A private treatment conversation is different from talking with a supervisor or workplace representative. Before sharing personal information through an employer, you can review the applicable privacy practices and policies. You may also contact a treatment provider independently to discuss support.

05 How serious do the signs need to be before I contact someone?

You do not have to wait for job loss or another crisis. Repeated attendance problems, impaired judgment, difficulty controlling alcohol use, or continuing despite occupational consequences are meaningful reasons to explore care. An early conversation can clarify the impact and help you consider treatment that fits your needs and goals.

Evidence behind this page

Supporting health information

Read how we select health information sources and apply the Women’s Recovery editorial policy. These references provide general education and context; they do not establish an individual diagnosis, service, or treatment recommendation.

If you can't believe that yet, borrow my hope. Just long enough to find your own.

Women’s Recovery graduate

Start with one conversation. Tell us what you're carrying. We'll walk you through the next step and verify your benefits.