About this session
Alcohol and substance use can affect much more than immediate mood or behavior.
Sleep, blood pressure, liver health, sexual function, mental wellbeing, relationships, decision-making and workplace performance can all be influenced by how often, how much and in what circumstances substances are used.
For some men, drinking or substance use can become closely linked with stress relief, socializing, coping or switching off after work.
That can make it harder to notice when a habit has shifted from occasional use into something that is beginning to affect health or everyday functioning.
This session explores alcohol and substance use without judgment or scare tactics. Attendees examine patterns, risk, coping, workplace impact and support options so they can make more informed decisions and recognize when extra help may be useful.
What your people take away
- Understand how alcohol and substance use can affect physical, mental and sexual health
- Explore how stress, social norms and coping can shape drinking or substance-use patterns
- Recognize signs that use may be becoming more frequent, risky or difficult to control
- Understand how alcohol and other substances can affect sleep, mood, judgment and workplace performance
- Examine practical approaches to reducing harm and changing habits
- Leave with a clearer understanding of when self-management may no longer be enough and further support may be needed
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- What each length covers, 30 minutes to full day
- Everything that’s covered, part by part
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: Understand the Impact on HealthA focused 30-minute session on three key points from Understand the Impact on Health: how alcohol affects the body, substances and the brain and sexual health, hormones and performance.
- How alcohol affects the body
- Substances and the brain
- Sexual health, hormones and performance
Covers 3 of 4 points in Understand the Impact on Health.
60 minutes
60 Minutes — Module 1The opening module explores how alcohol and substances affect the body, brain and everyday functioning. Attendees examine their own assumptions about risk and why frequency, amount, context and impact all matter.
- Module 1: Understand the Impact on Health
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: Understand the Impact on Health.
90 minutes
90 Minutes — Modules 1–2The session then moves into coping, social pressure and the reasons habits can become harder to change. Discussion helps attendees understand what may be driving use rather than focusing only on the substance itself.
- Module 1: Understand the Impact on Health
- Module 2: Understand Why Habits Develop
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: Understand the Impact on Health and Understand Why Habits Develop.
3 hours
Covers 3 of 4 parts: Understand the Impact on Health, Understand Why Habits Develop and Reduce Harm and Change the Pattern.
Full day
Full Day — Modules 1–4The full session adds harm reduction, workplace impact, behavior change and support pathways. Attendees leave with a clearer understanding of what healthier change can look like and when professional support should become part of the picture.
- Module 1: Understand the Impact on Health
- Module 2: Understand Why Habits Develop
- Module 3: Reduce Harm and Change the Pattern
- Module 4: Recognize When More Support Is Needed
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
What’s covered
Understand the Impact on Health
Every length- How alcohol affects the bodyThe session begins by looking at alcohol's effects on the liver, cardiovascular system, sleep, mood and wider physical health.
- Substances and the brainAttention turns to how different substances can influence alertness, judgment, mood, inhibition and decision-making.
- Sexual health, hormones and performanceAlcohol and substance use are examined in relation to libido, erectile function, fertility, testosterone and physical performance.
- When use starts affecting daily lifeThe module closes by looking at sleep, work quality, relationships, finances, motivation and recovery as areas where problems may become visible.
Understand Why Habits Develop
90 minutes and longer- Stress and switching offThis section explores why alcohol or substances can become associated with decompressing after work, managing anxiety or escaping difficult thoughts.
- Social norms and male cultureWork events, sport, friendship groups and expectations around drinking are brought into the discussion.
- Tolerance and escalationThe session looks at how repeated use can change the amount needed to achieve the same effect.
- Notice your own patternFrequency, triggers, setting, quantity and what happens afterwards are explored as useful ways of understanding behavior.
Reduce Harm and Change the Pattern
3 hours and longer- Create space between trigger and useThe session explores what happens in the period between feeling stressed, bored, anxious or socially pressured and reaching for alcohol or another substance.
- Change the environmentAvailability, routines, social settings and who someone spends time with can all influence behavior.
- Build alternative ways to recoverExercise, sleep, social connection, hobbies and structured downtime are explored as alternative forms of recovery.
- Think in terms of reducing riskThe module introduces a harm-reduction perspective, including reducing frequency, avoiding risky combinations, planning transport and recognizing situations where judgment may be impaired.
Recognize When More Support Is Needed
Full day only- When control is starting to changeThe final module examines signs such as repeatedly using more than intended, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, increasing tolerance or planning life around access to alcohol or substances.
- Work, relationships and consequencesAttendance, reliability, conflict, secrecy, financial pressure and relationship strain are explored as possible indicators that use is having a wider impact.
- Talking about it without shameThe session looks at how someone can raise concerns with a healthcare professional, trusted person or appropriate workplace support service.
- Moving from self-management to supportThe session closes by examining when specialist advice, treatment or structured support may be more appropriate than continuing to manage alone.
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about Alcohol, Substances and Men's Health
How long is Alcohol, Substances and Men's Health?
Alcohol, Substances and Men's Health runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from Understand the Impact on Health: how alcohol affects the body, substances and the brain and sexual health, hormones and performance. A 60-minute session covers Understand the Impact on Health in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Understand Why Habits Develop. A 3-hour session adds Reduce Harm and Change the Pattern. A full-day session adds Recognize When More Support Is Needed.
Can Alcohol, Substances and Men's Health be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book Alcohol, Substances and Men's Health?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open Alcohol, Substances and Men's Health to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.