Research into alcohol use among vets awarded grant

Researchers have been awarded a £15,000 grant to study alcohol use in the UK veterinary profession.

Oxford Brookes University's Dr Jennifer Seddon said it would help them understand how to support vets who wish to reduce alcohol consumption.

Her team will build upon their previous findings that veterinarians with poor work-related mental health and higher levels of alcohol consumption were fearful of the consequences of seeking help.

The grant was provided by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Mind Matters Initiative (MMI).

Dr Seddon said evidence from 2009 showed that "veterinary professionals are more likely to drink at risky levels compared to people in the general population".

The BBC previously reported the story of Kirstie Pickles who said she had used alcohol as "an emotional crutch".

Dr Seddon, who works alongside associate researcher and qualified veterinarian Olivia Cormier, and Dr Emma Davies, said their earlier work "highlighted that many people experiencing problems with their drinking were reluctant to seek help or support".

"This study will examine drinking behaviours across the veterinary profession, and will provide a better understanding of the factors associated with risky drinking," she said.

"Most importantly, the study will help us to understand how best to support people in veterinary practice who would like to reduce their alcohol consumption."

RCVS director for the advancement of the professions Angharad Belcher called the research topic "contemporary" and "aligning with our current MMI strategy, looking at barriers to accessing help and the promotion of help seeking behaviours".

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