News Archive

Heavy Alcohol Consumption

Current research highlights significant prevalence of heavy alcohol use within the trades. Bush and
Lipari (2015) suggest that 16.5% of individuals in the trades industry engage in heavy drinking.
Preliminary findings from a study by the Building Trades MAP reveal that while most respondents
identified alcohol use as the leading cause of missed workdays, they perceived drugs and depression
more harmful overall. This suggests a potential disconnect in the trades – where the visible impact of

alcohol misuse maybe underestimated in comparison to other concerns.

Dealing With Heavy Alcohol Consumption.
• A circle of care is made up by friends, family, and professionals
you can trust; ask them for help.
• Learn more about alcohol misuse, attend AA or Smart Recovery. If
you have friends or family attending, join them at a meeting.
• Call the Building Trades Members Assistance program to enter
counselling to help you understand where the behaviour started
and what the triggers are.
• Foster inner peace through exercise. Meditation and quality sleep.
• When cravings occur, keep busy, go for a walk or talk to
somebody.

Member Actions.
1. Access counselling through Building Trades MAP. Typically,
individuals use alcohol to cope with current stress or historical
trauma, and a counsellor can help you uncover your drinking
triggers.
2. Attend AA, or Smart Recovery, learn about alcohol addiction and
develop positive coping mechanisms.
3. Cravings are like waves; they hit the shore and then recede into
the ocean. Keep busy until the craving recedes and go for a walk;
it also improves overall mental health.


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