Alcohol and drug use among bartenders: An at risk population?

Introduction

The current study explored the prevalence of hazardous alcohol and drug consumption within bartenders and the impact of working more than 40 h a week on levels of alcohol and drug use.

Methods

Three hundred and ninety bartenders (247 females), recruited via social media, took part in a cross-sectional online survey. The study recorded units of alcohol and hours worked per week among participants. The team measured hazardous drinking using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and drug use by the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST).

Results

According to AUDIT scores, 39% of participants were classed as having harmful alcohol consumption and 43.6% reported moderate/severe alcohol use that might indicate alcohol dependence. According to DAST scores, 21.8% of participants were classed as intermediate risk, 6.5% as substantial risk, and 0.5% as severe risk for drug use problems.

Male bartenders reported drinking significantly more units of alcohol per week and scored significantly higher on the AUDIT compared to females. Bartenders aged 26–30 and 31–40 reported drinking significantly more alcohol per week than bartenders aged 18–25. Additionally, bartenders aged 26–30 scored significantly higher on the AUDIT than ages 41–55.

A high workload (more than 40 h per week) had a significant effect on units of alcohol drunk per week.

Conclusion

This research indicates that hazardous alcohol and drug use is highly prevalent among this sample of bartenders. Working more than 40 h a week increases the amount of alcohol consumed, with males reporting higher use of alcohol and more problematic use than females. Additionally, those aged between 26 and 30 and 31 and 40 reported higher and more problematic use of alcohol compared to those in other age groups. These findings are important for public health because they describe a population that may be at risk of developing alcohol and substance use problems, and highlight the importance of adopting the brief, preventative interventions that we have suggested. Further research must help us to better understand the risk factors and causality involved in hazardous alcohol and drug use among bartenders.