Americans prefer to drink at or before work

Researchers say millions of U.S. workers drink on the job.

A study conducted at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions estimates that 2.3 million workers - 1.8 percent of the workforce - have consumed alcohol at least once before coming to work and 8.9 million workers - 7.1 percent of the workforce - drank alcohol at least once during the workday.

Most workers who drink during the workday do so during lunch breaks, though some drink while working or during other breaks, said psychologist Michael R. Frone, who based his estimates on interviews with 2,800 workers.

Among those employees who report drinking before work, 71 percent reported doing so less than monthly, 25 percent monthly, and only 4 percent, weekly. For those who drank during the workday, 62 percent did so less than monthly, 24 percent monthly and 14 percent weekly.

Workers on the evening shift and night shift and those working a nonstandard shift involving irregular or flexible work hours were more likely to report drinking before coming to work compared to workers on a regular day shift, according to UPI.

V.Y.