There are many things that can lead to alcoholism or problematic drinking. You might have a genetic predisposition that makes you more inclined to overindulge in alcohol. Some individuals point to problems at home when asked to pinpoint why they started drinking too much.
However, having a stressful job is also a possibility if you’re starting to become dependent on alcohol. Alcohol outpatient rehab is always possible if you reach that point, or you can look into inpatient programs if you feel that’s a better option. Before you do, though, let’s take a closer look at the connection between job-related stress and alcoholism.
Stressful Jobs Are Often Emotionally or Psychologically Demanding
Some jobs are physically demanding, while others take more of an emotional or psychological toll. In the case of emotionally or psychologically demanding jobs, you might have a boss who’s constantly berating you or who requires a lot from you. It could be that your everyday interactions with customers are causing you stress.
If you’re constantly in a state of high tension at work, you might get to the point where you start to think of that as normal. It’s understandable that you would want something to take the edge off, though.
That is one reason why many individuals with these sorts of jobs start to turn to alcohol to dull their raw nerve endings. They may begin by drinking when they’re off work, but if that’s not enough, they may even start drinking while they’re on the job.
These Sorts of Jobs Tend to Follow You Home
Even if you’re not at work, if you have a stressful job, you might spend a lot of your time thinking about it even when you’re not working. A high-stress job can start to creep into your downtime. You might find yourself going over events in your head that happened at work that day. You may dread returning to work the following morning.
Again, it’s natural that this sort of job-related stress might cause excess drinking. You might crave the deadening of the senses and of your thoughts that comes when you drink heavily.
You Can Fall Into a Harmful Routine Without Realizing It
Someone who drinks occasionally might start to increase their alcohol consumption if the stress in their job is unrelenting. Occasional work-related stress is normal, but if you have a job where it’s wall-to-wall stress every day, upping your alcohol consumption as a way of calming yourself down might start to happen before you’re even consciously aware of it.
There’s no denying that stress can lead to alcoholism, and if your job is the cause of that stress, quitting and pursuing a different path might emerge as your best option. You may realize if you stop to think about it that there is far more to dislike about your job than to like.
If you’re in that situation, and your health is on the line, you need to seriously rethink your career choices and consider an exit plan.
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