It can be the co-worker who puts away a couple of six-packs of beer after work, or the colleague who imbibes too much wine at various gatherings, or even the boss who smells like alcohol after lunch, despite the breath mints.
It's not that we think they're alcoholics, but we are aware that there could be a problem. And that's where a little education can go a long way to making sure these little problems don't become full-scale disasters that ruin professional and personal lives, says one expert.
Eric Goplerud, director of Ensuring Solutions to Alcohol Problems at The George Washington University Medical Center (www.ensuring- solutions.org), says that while workers' alcohol problems cost employers millions of dollars each year and contribute to skyrocketing health insurance costs, the problem often is not effectively dealt with in the workplace.
''One of the reasons that more employers have not addressed this issue is because it's perceived as a private issue in the life of an employee,'' he says. ''We're hoping that people will see there are several things they can do that are relatively easy.
''You go to someone and you say, 'You know, you seem to be drinking more - how much are you drinking?' Then, you inform them that what they're drinking seems like an awful lot. Finally, you motivate them to get help, by expressing your concern and saying: 'Have you thought about changing?' "
Goplerud also explains that just as an unhealthy lifestyle can lead to more serious issues such as diabetes, drinking too much can really impact someone's health and possibly lead to alcoholism.
''What we've learned is that many people drink alcohol in ways that are unhealthy to themselves and others,'' Goplerud says. ''There's no need for them to go to AA [Alcoholics Anonymous], but it does affect their health and there may be a need to go to counseling in order to handle the progression.''
In a recent report, the Ensuring Solutions team found that workplace alcohol problems seem to hit some industries harder than others. Specifically, those in construction, hospitality and manufacturing have ''a higher-than-average rate of alcohol misuse and dependency.''
Goplerud says one step that employers can take to help employees is to request their health care providers screen for alcohol problems or a tendency to drink too much at the same time they screen for other health issues. That way, an employee headed down the wrong path can be informed of the hazards early and be given treatment, if needed.
Finally, Goplerud says employers can provide resources through their company Web site, such as linking to www.alcoholscreening .org, which offers a self-assessment for those seeking to determine if they're consuming too much alcohol.
He stresses that employers need to be aware of situations that can lead to overuse of alcohol by employees, such as workers who labor with little or no supervision or in remote locations, or who travel a lot for business. Also, younger workers (males under 21 have the highest alcohol dependencies) can be greatly influenced to drink more in a company culture where older employees drink heavily.
Unfortunately, research also shows that only 10 percent of working people with serious alcohol problems receive any kind of treatment, Goplerud says.
''This is a problem that is a whole lot easier to treat before it gets out of control,'' he says.
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* ANITA BRUZZESE can be reached c/o Business Editor, Gannett News Service, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22107.
