'It's a crutch': A qualitative exploration of UK police employees' experiences of at-risk alcohol consumption or abstinence¹

Irizar, Patricia, Jackson, Leanne ORCID: 0000-0003-4491-1802, Gage, Suzanne H, Bell, Sean, Piper, Richard, Fallon, Victoria ORCID: 0000-0002-7350-2568 and Goodwin, Laura (2022) 'It's a crutch': A qualitative exploration of UK police employees' experiences of at-risk alcohol consumption or abstinence¹ POLICING-A JOURNAL OF POLICY AND PRACTICE, 17. paac052-. ISSN 1752-4512, 1752-4520

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Abstract

Abstract One-third of UK police employees drink to at-risk levels, with both at-risk drinking and abstinence being associated with poor mental health. This research aimed to qualitatively explore police employees’ experiences of at-risk alcohol use or abstinence, their motivations for drinking/abstaining, and the organizational culture of drinking. Semi-structured telephone interviews with 16 UK serving police employees (12 at-risk drinkers, four abstainers) were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified. Participants described the ‘organizational culture of drinking and changes over time’, outlining a cultural shift. Motivations for drinking were reflected across two themes, ‘alcohol as a coping mechanism’ and ‘alcohol and socializing’, with an additional theme representing ‘motivations for abstinence/cutting down’. The final theme highlighted the ‘contrasting perceptions of available support’. Though the drinking culture is no longer as prominent, using alcohol socially and to cope, is normalized. The implications and recommendations for practice are outlined.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	4402 Criminology, 44 Human Society, Behavioral and Social Science, Substance Misuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol Use and Health, 3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote wellbeing, Oral and gastrointestinal, Cancer, Stroke, Cardiovascular, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2023 16:31
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2025 07:00
DOI:	10.1093/police/paac052
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paac052
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3168175
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