Pathways back to work for problem alcohol users

Abstract

The relationship between alcohol misuse, employment and unemployment is complex. Alcohol misuse is correlated with a range of other problems, including, for example, drug misuse, mental health problems and social deprivation. Together these can be a barrier to accessing and sustaining employment. The aim of this study was to explore these issues with a sample of adults in the UK who were currently accessing treatment for an alcohol problem. The study involved a systematic literature review followed by qualitative research with 53 treatment service clients and 12 professionals across 5 research sites in England, Scotland and Wales. The findings focus on the main facilitators and barriers, both individual and organisational, for returning to work identified by interviewees. Some of the facilitators and barriers identified were similar to those described in the literature for other groups of unemployed adults. Others were more specific to alcohol misusers; for example, the stigma experienced by interviewees as a result of the views of others regarding substance misuse, the nature of recovery from addiction and the challenges posed by the prevalence of coexisting mental and physical health problems. Despite the problems faced by many of the study participants, however, the majority were eager to return to work, and this desire to gain employment is discussed in the context of ongoing welfare reform in the UK.

Keywords:

• alcohol misuse
• employment
• unemployment
• benefits
• welfare
• qualitative research
• UK

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the DWP. The authors wish to thank Cate Fisher for her assistance in commissioning and commenting on emerging findings from the research and Cathy Flower for her administrative support. Thanks in particular to all the study participants who gave so generously their time to share their views and experiences.

Notes

1. UK recommendations are that men should not regularly drink more than 3–4 units of alcohol a day and women should not regularly drink more than 2–3 units a day (Health and Social Care Information Centre 2010, 6). Hazardous drinking defines those whose consumption patterns place them at risk of physical and psychological harm, whilst harmful drinking indicates that an individual is likely to suffer physical and psychological problems as a result of their alcohol consumption.

2. Additional approval for the research was given by the NHS Trust who employed one member of the Research Team, and by the organisation through which participants at one research site were recruited.

3. Further details on the study sites can be found in the full final report for the research study (Bauld et al. 2010a).