A recent Sky News report revealed nearly two-thirds of UK employees admit to drinking alcohol to cope with work-related stress. With workplace stress up 41% and signs of burnout increasing by 20%, alcohol is no longer just a social add-on—it’s becoming a coping mechanism for a growing number of employees.
It’s time for organisations to ask a difficult but necessary question:
Are we unintentionally fostering a culture where drinking is the default way to bond, blow off steam, or survive the week?
Instant Offices have revealed how to create an environment where social connection and stress relief are not reliant on a glass in hand.
Why we need to address the drinking to cope culture
While after-work drinks and celebratory champagne might feel harmless, normalising alcohol in the workplace can:
- Worsen stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges
- Exclude non-drinkers due to personal, cultural, religious or recovery reasons
- Create subtle pressure to drink to “fit in”
- Reinforce the narrative that stress = alcohol
Rethinking social culture: what works without alcohol
Creating a culture that discourages dependency on alcohol doesn’t mean eliminating fun. It means making inclusivity, wellness, and intention the new normal.
Here are proven ways to build strong teams and celebrate success without centring every moment around alcohol:
1. Switch up the social norms
Normalise and celebrate not drinking, rather than putting pressure on employees to drink alcohol. Instead, offer mocktails, alcohol-free beer, or soft drink options at every event.
This eliminates the whole “I’m not drinking” conversation starter, which can sometimes be uncomfortable.
2. Host alcohol-free events as the default, not the exception
Instead of the occasional “dry” event, make non-drinking socials part of your culture. Try:
- Brunch & coffee mornings with guest speakers or themes
- Creative workshops (e.g. pottery, painting, floral arranging)
- Escape rooms, axe-throwing, or quiz nights
- Volunteering afternoons for a cause the team cares about
- Book clubs, walk-and-talks, or wellbeing days
3. Celebrate milestones without alcohol-centric rewards
Mark milestones with experiences, not prosecco. Think team outings, personal shoutouts, care packages or charity donations in someone’s name. These meaningful gestures resonate far more than a bottle of fizz.
The long-term impact of drinking to cope
By reshaping how we connect and celebrate at work, companies can:
- Reduce stress-related alcohol reliance
- Build truly inclusive cultures where everyone feels welcome
- Encourage healthier coping mechanisms and work-life balance
- Support mental health and long-term wellbeing
At a time when teams are stretched and mental health is under pressure, these cultural shifts aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re a business imperative.
Final thought
Fun doesn’t have to come with a hangover. By rethinking how we socialise at work, we create space for deeper connection, more inclusion, and healthier teams. It’s time to raise the bar—without raising a glass.
