Drinkaware is working with the Considerate Constructors Scheme to help people working in construction understand their relationship with alcohol and how it affects their health, wellbeing, and workplace safety.
They spoke with two Tilbury Douglas employees, Dan Hooley, a Quantity Surveyor, and Georgi Dimov, a Senior Project Manager, to explore how people across the construction industry view alcohol, wellbeing, and the changing culture of social drinking.
Rethinking personal relationships with alcohol
For many working in construction, alcohol often plays a social role at the end of the workday or during team events.
Dan describes himself as a “social drinker”, usually having a few drinks with friends. “The only times where I would have had cut back, it’s just more if I had a heavy month or something… I wouldn’t really want to drink as much the following month.” Over time, he’s found himself drinking less, with moderation happening naturally rather than through a conscious effort.
Georgi’s experience has been more transformative. Having grown up in Eastern Europe, where drinking was part of daily life, he decided to rethink his relationship with alcohol. “Once I sat in a meeting with a client and [they were discussing] Dry January and I said, ‘you know what, I’m just going to do Dry Year.’”
He’s noticed improvements in energy and found more time for meaningful activities like training in Taekwondo with his son, which has “brought us more together.”
Changing attitudes within the industry
While construction has long been associated with a strong drinking culture, Dan believes that perception is shifting.
Dan notes that “there isn’t really that much of a drinking culture. Like there’s certain events, [and we] would go to the pub, but not as much as I think someone would really think.” He’s also seen more balanced substitutes emerging, such as “companies inviting us on to golf days, which is an alternative.”
Managing social pressure
Social pressure to drink can still be a challenge, particularly for younger workers. Dan says that while most colleagues are respectful, there’s still a sense that not drinking can make you seem unsociable, with “a typical response being, ‘oh, you’re being a bit boring.’”
Georgi adds that younger workers often learn habits from older colleagues: “That young fellow or girl will be thinking that [this behaviour] is normal, which it’s not.”
Leadership and responsibility
For Georgi, leadership plays a key role in change. “It’s very difficult for someone to say ‘yes, I’ve got a problem’ and then seek help,” he says, stressing the need for managers to spot when staff might be struggling. When leaders prioritise wellbeing and promote healthy coping strategies, it benefits the whole team.
Practical advice for the industry
Dan and Georgi share their advice for creating a healthier drinking culture:
- Find new ways to unwind: Sports or creative hobbies can make moderation feel natural.
- Be confident in your choices: It’s okay to say no to a drink. Dan also states to “avoid people who put you in uncomfortable positions.”
- Keep your mind active: Georgi suggests “occupying your brain elsewhere” through walking, music, or getting outdoors.
- Encourage open conversations: Create safe spaces for people to talk and share experiences.
- Lead by example: Senior staff can set the tone. Georgi suggests supporting healthy habits, like helping cover the cost of gym access when working away from home.
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