Teachers Must Prioritize Their Health to Combat Alcohol Abuse Challenges

The article highlights the urgent need for educators to address alcohol abuse, emphasizing the impact of stress on teachers' well-being and the importance of seeking help.

Jessica Dueñas, a former middle school teacher, seemed to embody the ideal educator.

In 2019, she received the prestigious Kentucky Teacher of the Year award, celebrated for her leadership and commitment as a special education teacher at Oldham County Middle School in La Grange, Kentucky.

With dreams of advocating for students, Dueñas had high hopes for her career.

However, her journey took a troubling turn as her personal battles began to overshadow her professional aspirations.

Beneath the Surface of Success

Beneath her impressive accolades, Dueñas found herself entrapped in a damaging cycle of alcohol dependency that shadowed much of her 13-year teaching tenure.

She recounted a harrowing routine of visiting different liquor stores each day after classes, worried that she might be recognized as an alcoholic by familiar faces.

At home, her evenings spiraled into excessive drinking, ultimately causing her to pass out before waking sporadically to prepare for the next day.

This exhausting cycle persisted for years.

At the age of 35, just one year after her acclaimed achievement, she stepped away from teaching.

Though she had envisioned a lifelong dedication to education, she later founded Bottomless to Sober in 2021, a program designed to support those striving to overcome alcohol addiction.

Educators Under Pressure

While Dueñas’ story is notably extreme, it reveals a concerning reality shared by many educators who often neglect their own well-being in favor of their students’ needs.

High levels of stress within the teaching profession significantly contribute to problems related to alcohol misuse, placing teachers among the most vulnerable professions.

Research conducted between 2008 and 2012 found that about 5% of teachers had engaged in heavy drinking during the previous month.

Recently, health officials have been sounding alarms about alcohol consumption.

On January 3, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy drew connections between alcohol use and a heightened risk of at least seven different cancers.

Although specific limits on drinking were not provided, health experts cautioned that even moderate consumption may carry health risks.

This message could resonate deeply with educators who often resort to alcohol as a method of unwinding after particularly tough school days.

Anna Shchetinina, a social epidemiologist from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, notes that the statistics regarding educators highlight significant challenges within the profession.

While teachers typically possess strong emotional intelligence—essential for their roles—the demands of the job often overshadow their ability to practice self-care.

Many educators may lack awareness of the overwhelming stress they experience daily.

It wasn’t until Dueñas parted ways with teaching that she fully grasped the struggles the profession had entailed.

The Impact of Cultural Norms

The rigid structure of a typical school day affords little flexibility.

Teachers face immense responsibilities and external expectations, often left with minimal planning time and brief lunch breaks.

All the while, they feel the pressure of being evaluated based on their students’ performance.

Dueñas observed that many teachers tend to celebrate their successes or decompress from tough weeks with alcohol, embracing social gatherings centered around drinking.

While this behavior isn’t limited to educators, the normalization of alcohol consumption can conceal substantial health risks.

For many, using substances is an all-too-common coping mechanism due to their accessibility; pouring a glass of wine after work feels far easier than pursuing healthier alternatives like exercise.

Women, a significant segment of the K-12 education workforce, have particularly experienced a rise in alcohol consumption.

Shchetinina’s recent research reveals alarming trends, particularly among women of reproductive age, whose alcohol use disorders have surged since the early 2000s.

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these challenges, pushing countless educators, including Dueñas, into difficult situations that complicated their recovery amid the stress and isolation associated with remote teaching.

Researchers documented a national increase in alcohol use disorders during the pandemic, interpreting the rise as a response to unprecedented stressors and a lack of support.

Unfortunately, many people grappling with alcohol use disorders hesitate to seek help.

Shchetinina found that merely 5% of women diagnosed with alcohol use disorder pursue treatment, often hindered by the stigma surrounding addiction.

Dueñas echoes this sentiment, stressing the importance of breaking the silence surrounding these issues and encouraging teachers to seek support.

The emergence of online communities has made it easier for individuals to access help discreetly.

For years, Dueñas silenced the inner voice urging her to confront her struggles.

She revealed that her teacher identity served as a shield, allowing her to ignore her issues.

She emphasized that every educator is replaceable and that prioritizing personal health is paramount.

Seeking assistance is essential for teachers to flourish both personally and professionally.

Source: Edweek