Prevalence of Alcohol Use and Reasons for Drinking Among Occupational Therapists: An Exploratory Investigation

Alcohol use by occupational therapists (OTs) and reasons for consuming alcohol were examined. Five hundred participants, randomly selected from American Occupational Therapy Association membership, were mailed surveys, resulting in 165 completed returns. The majority reported drinking alcohol generally for social-interactive motives, consuming one or two drinks one to four times per month. Two-fifths were found to drink intermittently in a potentially unhealthy manner. The percentage of OTs likely consuming alcohol at harmful levels, though comparatively small, is sufficient to warrant consideration by the profession to address the implications of potential alcohol misuse among a segment of its practitioners.