A survey commissioned by Bupa revealed that 57% of UK employees have struggled with a form of addiction, including alcohol (15%), gambling (14%) and recreational drugs (7%).
Other employees reported addictions to social media, prescription medicine and cryptocurrency trading.
The survey, released last week (15 May), also highlighted that 71% of employers are concerned about addiction-related issues in the workplace.
Stress appears to be a contributing factor driving the development of addictions, with nearly half (48%) of employees surveyed saying they turned to addictive behaviours as a way of coping with professional stress.
Speaking to HR magazine, Martin Preston, CEO and founder of the addiction rehabilitation centre Delamere, explained that although time-limited, situational stress can be a productive, positive force, chronic stress has a negative impact on health and wellbeing, and people's ability to cope and enjoy life.
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He said: “[Stress] has been recognised for many years as a risk factor for developing substance misuse problems. For those in recovery, it can often be a reason for relapsing.”
The findings come as national figures show a rise in people seeking support for addiction. Between April 2023 and March 2024, more than 310,000 adults received support from drug and alcohol treatment services, which is a 7% increase from the previous year, a Bupa representative reported.
Preston continued: “We are currently a nation suffering from work burnout. By being able to spot the often subtle signs and symptoms of stress and burnout, employers can help employees reduce the risk of developing and worsening addictions.
“Signs include increased irritability and mood swings, a detachment from the wider team, chronic fatigue and exhaustion, or ‘workaholism’.”
Despite an increase in people seeking support, 49% of employers who were surveyed noticed an increase in addiction-related issues among their workforce, according to Robin Clark, Bupa UK Insurance's medical director.
To create a culture where employees feel safe to ask for help, Preston thinks there needs to be a top-down approach.
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He said: “Normalise tough, open, and non-judgemental discussions about these subjects through company policy change, or even by inviting guest speakers to the office to help educate all staff, from the CEO to the junior staffers. Don’t underestimate the impact of storytelling!”
Stigma around addiction also continues to be a barrier for people seeking help at work, according to 51% of the employed people surveyed. Nearly half (45%) of employees reported that they would rather hide an addiction than discuss it at work, and 43% have avoided medical or professional support entirely for fear of workplace repercussions.
According to Preston, stigma can be formed due to a lack of education and open communication about subjects like addiction in professional environments. He stated that employers should discuss the “byproducts that come with addiction, such as dishonesty, embarrassment, increased risk-taking, or frequent mood swings”.
Clark told HR magazine that addiction should be treated as a "complex health condition" and not a "personal failing or weakness". He added: "There’s a misconception that addiction is a personal failing and weakness rather than a complex health condition. This stigma prevents many from seeking the help they need.
"We must approach addiction with the same compassion, clinical support and seriousness that we extend to any other mental or physical illness."
Preston noted: “It does appear that attitudes in the UK, including in workplaces, are slowly changing when it comes to addiction. Addiction is increasingly being seen as an illness, rather than a life choice. In some cases, employers are funding employees to receive professional treatment for their addictions.”
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Clark issued a caution for using disciplinary policies, stating: "Disciplinary action should only come into play when there’s a refusal of support or a genuine safety concern. Organisations that adopt a clinical, supportive approach not only uphold fairness but also retain talent and help individuals recover with dignity."
Bupa commissioned a survey of 1,503 employees and 1,500 employers between 24 and 28 April 2025. Findings were published on 15 May 2025.
