One Beer Becomes Ten: When the Drink Stops Being Just a Reward

Published on 24 May 2025 at 08:30

You tell yourself you’ve earned it—and maybe you have. After busting your ass for 12 hours, that first beer feels like a pat on the back. Deserved. Needed. But then it turns into two. Then five. Then ten. Before long, it’s not a reward anymore—it’s a ritual. A crutch. A coping mechanism.

And if you’re being honest, you probably saw it creeping in. You just didn’t want to admit it.

FIFO + Booze = A Slippery Slope

You’re not alone. FIFO and mining life push blokes into high-risk drinking patterns more than most other industries. Studies out of Australia show that FIFO workers are twice as likely to engage in binge drinking compared to the general population. And it's not hard to see why.

Let’s break it down:

  • You’re isolated – no family, no normal routine, no one calling you out.

  • You’re under pressure – mentally, physically, emotionally.

  • You’ve got cash to burn – especially on swing off.

  • The culture still says “harden up” instead of “open up.”

Alcohol becomes the default coping tool. It’s accessible, legal, and socially accepted—even encouraged. But here’s the truth: booze doesn’t fix what’s eating you, it just numbs it temporarily and feeds it long-term.

Signs It’s More Than Just a Drink

If you’re not sure whether your drinking is becoming a problem, here’s a blunt checklist:

  • You need a drink every day on R&R to feel normal

  • You’re smashing 6+ beers in a single sitting regularly

  • You feel anxious, irritable, or empty when you're not drinking

  • Your missus, mates, or even your kids have commented on your drinking

  • You’re using booze to sleep, forget, or escape

If any of those hit home, it’s not just “blowing off steam” anymore. That’s called self-medicating, and it’s a red flag for bigger mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or burnout.

What’s the Big Deal?

Here’s the problem with relying on the bottle:

  • Alcohol is a depressant. It messes with your brain chemistry, especially if you’re already dealing with mental health issues.

  • Long-term heavy drinking increases your risk of depression, anxiety, liver damage, and relationship breakdowns.

  • It screws your sleep, which screws your mood, focus, and energy—and the cycle gets worse from there.

You’re not weak for drinking. You’re not broken. But you do need to get real about whether it’s still in your control—or if it’s controlling you.

So, What Can You Do?

If this hit a nerve, good. That means you’ve still got the awareness to change direction before things get darker.

Here’s a few ways to take your power back:

  • Track your intake – Be brutally honest with yourself. Log what you drink in a week.

  • Set limits – Decide before you drink how many you’ll have. Stick to it.

  • Find other outlets – Training, boxing, journaling, even talking to a mate. Sound soft? Not nearly as soft as blacking out alone on your couch.

  • Get support – This could mean a GP, a psychologist, or a helpline. There’s no shame in it—only strength.

Bottom Line

You work in one of the toughest industries out there. That doesn’t mean you have to fight every battle alone, and it sure as hell doesn’t mean drinking yourself into a deeper hole is the answer.

So ask yourself: is that beer still a reward? Or is it just a bandaid on a bigger wound?

Be honest. Your future self will thank you.

In Australia, there are several alcohol support services available:

«   »

Create Your Own Website With Webador