Inger Synnøve Moan

Abstract Background Surveys suggest that while total alcohol consumption remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic, heavy drinkers often increased their alcohol consumption. This study aimed to explore heavy drinking employees’ experiences with changes in work conditions, including increased remote work, and alcohol use during and after the pandemic. Methods In early 2022, qualitative interviews were held with 26 self-identified heavy drinkers aged 28–66 in Norway.

1 INTRODUCTION When #MeToo, an awareness campaign against sexual abuse, sexual harassment and rape culture, went viral on Twitter and became an international movement in 2017, alcohol use in work contexts was claimed to play an important role in several cases of sexual harassment [1]. Alcohol use reduces inhibitions and is associated with a range of problem behaviours and social harms [2].