Coping or crisis? Rethinking alcohol at work
This Alcohol Awareness Week, we’re joining the national conversation on a theme that hits close to home for many of the people we support: alcohol and work. For some, drinking is a way to relax after a long shift. For others, it becomes a routine part of working life — a reward, a pressure, or a coping strategy. But over time, and often quietly, alcohol can begin to affect our health, our relationships, our jobs — and even our homes.
At Framework, we see this connection every day. When alcohol use becomes problematic, it rarely stays contained. It can interfere with performance at work, strain family ties, lead to job loss, and sometimes even spiral into homelessness. The people we support are often dealing with complex challenges, and alcohol is frequently just one part of a wider story involving stress, trauma, and instability.
What’s important to remember is that problematic drinking rarely begins with a crisis. It builds slowly — a drink to unwind here, a late start there, a few missed days of work, a creeping sense of shame or secrecy. The line between coping and dependency can be hard to spot, especially when drinking is culturally normalised in our workplaces and social lives. But when alcohol begins to take over, the consequences can be far-reaching.
That’s why our partner, Nottingham Recovery Network (NRN), is so vital. NRN provides free, confidential support for anyone in Nottingham affected by alcohol or drug use. Whether someone is drinking more than they’d like, feeling overwhelmed by stress, or facing homelessness as a result of substance use, NRN offers personalised, compassionate help — without judgement. Services include one-to-one recovery support, access to detox and clinical treatment, mental health care, and specialist advice for families and carers. And because NRN works hand-in-hand with housing, health, and employment services — including Framework — we can ensure that no one is left to navigate recovery alone.
Together, we also support people through New Path to Employment, a service designed for individuals in recovery who want to get back into meaningful work. Delivered by Framework and Double Impact, and fully integrated into NRN, this programme uses the proven IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model. It’s not about ticking boxes or pushing people into jobs they’re not ready for — it’s about finding the right work at the right time, with the ongoing support needed to stay well and stay employed. We know that stable, fulfilling work can play a huge role in recovery, and that’s why employment is part of the journey — not something that comes after it.
To shine a light on the real stories behind these services, NRN has relaunched its podcast, and the first episode of the new series features a powerful interview with Katie, registered care manager at Edwin House — Framework’s specialist care home for people with complex needs and substance use issues. Katie shares what life is like at Edwin House: how the team provides not just accommodation but care, structure, and a chance to rebuild, and why creating the right environment can make all the difference to someone’s recovery.
The podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and is a moving insight into the work we do together — and the people whose lives are changed because of it. Subscribe to catch the latest episodes as soon as they are released.
So this Alcohol Awareness Week, we invite you to reflect. If alcohol is affecting your life or the life of someone you care about, please know that support is available. Whether you need help now or are just ready to talk, NRN is here to listen and to guide you toward the next step.
Visit www.nottinghamrecoverynetwork.com or call 0800 066 5362 to find out more.