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Health insurance analysis: Alcohol addiction is increasing significantly among working people

2022-12-15T12:59:51.064Z


According to a survey, almost a third of employees in Germany drink alcohol several days a week. "The inhibitions are falling," says an addiction expert.


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Some people turn to alcohol to switch off from everyday life or to relieve stress

Photo: eclipse_images / Getty Images

According to an analysis by the commercial health insurance company (KKH), alcohol problems among employees in Germany have increased significantly over the past ten years.

The number of KKH-insured professionals with excessive alcohol consumption increased by around a third (32 percent) from 2011 to 2021, and by 88.5 percent in the 35 to 39 age group, according to a statement published on Thursday the KKH .

In addition to binge drinking, the problems also relate to alcohol dependence, withdrawal symptoms and psychological behavioral disorders due to alcohol.

More sick days

The corona pandemic probably contributed to the development.

According to the KKH, from 2019 before the corona crisis to 2021 there was an increase of more than four percent overall, and in the 40 to 44 age group even 18 percent.

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According to the information, the number of sick days of alcoholic employees increased to an average of 38 in 2021, after an average of 31 days in 2018 and 2017.

The KKH recorded the highest value in the past five years in the first corona year 2020 with almost 41 sick days.

Overall, among the 700,000 working KKH insured, doctors diagnosed around 8,200 patients with alcohol addiction last year.

According to a Forsa survey commissioned by the health insurance company, almost a third of employees drink alcohol several days a week, nine percent of them even daily.

The reasons given for this include switching off from everyday life, habits and stress reduction.

One in nine employees also stated that they had consumed more beer, wine, sparkling wine and spirits since the corona pandemic.

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"Especially in times of crisis, intoxicants are a kind of coping mechanism because they relax, calm and supposedly drive away fears and worries," says Michael Falkenstein, an expert on addiction issues at the KKH.

People who already suffer from alcohol addiction or tend to do so are particularly at risk.

For many working people, there is also competitive pressure and overwork, as well as increased financial worries and existential fears since the corona and energy crisis.

"A number of employees also find it difficult to cope with the isolation in the home office," says Falkenstein.

Those who no longer drive to work every day easily lose their daily rhythm and have less social control from colleagues or customers.

»The inhibitions with regard to alcohol consumption are falling.«

mar/dpa/AFP

Source: spiegel

All life articles on 2022-12-15

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