Alcohol Awareness Week: Time to Check In — Not Check Out

In the aviation industry, we’re used to high performance, tight schedules, and staying sharp under pressure. But behind the precision and professionalism, there’s a quieter story that many rarely speak about: the role alcohol plays in how we cope.

This Alcohol Awareness Week, it's time to bring that conversation into the hangar — not with judgement, but with curiosity and care.

When “Just a Drink” Becomes a Crutch

Alcohol is often embedded in aviation culture:

  • A drink to unwind after a long shift.

  • Social bonding on layovers.

  • Solo coping when you’re far from home.

While this can feel normal - even ‘deserved’ - over time, those habits can quietly shift. What starts as a casual drink can become the only way to switch off, sleep, or deal with stress. And when you’re flying high in your career, it can be hard to admit that something’s starting to feel out of control

Recognising the Signs

Here are some signs that alcohol might be creeping into harmful territory:

  • You’re drinking more frequently or in larger amounts than before.

  • You find it hard to relax, sleep, or socialise without it.

  • You’ve started hiding or downplaying your alcohol use.

  • It’s affecting your mood, relationships, or job performance.

  • You feel guilt, anxiety, or regret the day after drinking.

None of these mean failure - they just mean your body and mind are sending you signals. It’s worth listening.

The Impact on Your Wellbeing

Short-Term Effects

  • Poor sleep and energy levels

  • Impaired reaction time and focus

  • Mood swings and low resilience

  • Increased anxiety or irritability

Long-Term Effects

  • Dependency risks

  • Impacts on liver, heart, and brain function

  • Strained relationships and career performance

  • Increased risk of burnout, depression, and isolation

In aviation, where precision and mental clarity are critical, these effects can carry real consequences, professionally and personally.

So What Can You Do?

You don’t need to be at “rock bottom” to seek support. The earlier you check in, the more choice and control you have.

🛫 Here are a few small steps you can take now:

  • Reflect honestly: Try the Substance Misuse in Aviation Quiz for a quick, confidential check-in.

  • Change the narrative: Talk to a trusted peer about your habits — it’s likely they’ve had similar thoughts.

  • Build alternative coping tools: Exercise, sleep hygiene, and time outdoors are more powerful than we often admit.

  • Seek specialist support: Aviation-specific coaching or recovery meetings like SMART Recovery can help you feel seen, not judged.

Final Thoughts

Aviation is high-pressure — but coping doesn’t have to come in a bottle.

Whether you're thriving, managing, or quietly struggling, this week is a chance to pause and check in. There’s strength in recognising when something needs to shift — and there’s no shame in seeking support.

You’ve cleared takeoff. Now it’s time to fly well, inside and out.

✈️ Cleared to climb.

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Alcohol & Aviation: Quiet Struggles in a High-Pressure Industry