Veterinarians struggle with alcohol stigma and fear seeking help, research finds

Veterinarians with poor work-related mental health and higher levels of alcohol consumption are fearful of the consequences of seeking help, according to research by Oxford Brookes University.

The study, led by Dr Jennifer Seddon, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, and Olivia Cormier, an Associate Researcher and qualified veterinary surgeon, examined perceptions of alcohol use and mental health challenges within the UK veterinary profession. 

The study highlights key barriers to seeking help, particularly the stigma associated with alcohol and concerns about potential intervention from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body overseeing professional standards for veterinarians in the UK.

The findings suggest that veterinarians face significant obstacles in addressing feelings of stress and burnout, mainly due to fears that seeking help could lead to scrutiny or disciplinary action from the RCVS.
Seventeen veterinarians from across the UK participated in the study, including fifteen women. Seven participants reported having previously struggled with alcohol-related problems. Through in-depth interviews lasting between 40 and 75 minutes, the participants shared their experiences and perspectives on problem drinking and the barriers they encountered in seeking help.

The research uncovered an entrenched drinking culture within the veterinary profession, where alcohol use is normalised from veterinary school through to professional life. Drinking is often seen as an integral part of bonding with colleagues, and alcohol use is widely encouraged at social and professional events. This cultural normalisation has made it difficult for veterinarians to recognise problem drinking as an issue, as it is embedded in the profession’s social norms.

In addition to social drinking, alcohol is commonly used as a coping mechanism to deal with the high levels of emotional and mental strain that come with the job. Participants described how long hours, emotionally taxing work—such as performing euthanasia or dealing with difficult clients—and the pressure to maintain professional standards led them to use alcohol as a way to “decompress” after particularly hard days. The psychological toll of the profession was noted as a significant factor in the development of problem drinking.

Veterinarians expressed concerns that disclosing alcohol-related problems would result in being perceived as “untrustworthy” or incapable by colleagues. Many participants internalised these feelings, viewing their drinking as a personal failure, which further discouraged them from reaching out for assistance. They also feared intervention from the RCVS, worrying that seeking help could lead to disciplinary action or the loss of their professional licences.

The study also highlighted the link between alcohol use and mental health outcomes, with participants noting that excessive drinking often worsened their feelings of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Some veterinarians also reported that alcohol use exacerbated suicidal thoughts. 

Dr Seddon said: “We know from previous studies that a higher proportion of veterinarians are at-risk drinkers compared to the general population. However, little is known about the experiences of those within the veterinary profession who experience issues with their drinking. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the experiences of those with problem drinking who work within veterinary practice in the UK.

“Our study found that alcohol-related stigma and the fear of RCVS involvement meant that veterinary professionals who had drinking problems were more reluctant to ask for help, therefore impacting their mental health. 

“More needs to be done to support veterinarians with their mental health and the use of alcohol. The study highlights the need to address alcohol-related stigma within the UK veterinary profession to encourage and support early help-seeking for problem drinking.”