Why It’s Time to Talk About Alcohol and Mental Health in Hospitality
🎧 As heard on Talking Hospitality with Timothy R Andrews & Tracey Rashid
For many of us in hospitality, the end of a tough shift has always meant one thing: a drink.
Maybe it’s a pint with colleagues. Maybe it’s a bottle of wine alone on the sofa. Maybe it’s a laugh, a release, a ritual. Until it isn’t.
In this deeply honest and powerful episode, we welcomed Shell Righini, host of We Recover Loudly, to talk about her personal journey through addiction—and how alcohol quietly undermines the mental health of so many working in hospitality.
“I swear I just sat down to have a glass of Merlot… and somehow I ended up in AA.”
Shell’s story is frighteningly familiar. The chaos and camaraderie of a buzzing hospitality life in London. Long shifts, late nights, and a never-ending cycle of work-hard-play-harder. But what starts as fun becomes dependency. Not because she was “born an addict”—but because the industry normalized alcohol as the go-to solution for every kind of stress.
“No one ever said maybe we should slow down. Or stop. Drinking was the only tool I was given to cope.”
This isn’t a moral judgement—it’s a mental health warning. Alcohol may numb the pressure, but it also delays healing, amplifies self-loathing, and creates a fog that clouds our ability to be honest about how we really are.
Let’s Be Clear: Alcohol Abuse Is a Mental Health Issue
Shell puts it plainly: silence is what kills.
In most companies, mental health is now something we say we support. But when it comes to addiction? That’s where the room goes quiet.
“You ask a business what they do for mental health, they’ve got policies and resources. But ask about addiction—and there’s silence.”
The result? People don’t speak up. They leave. Or worse.
We need to normalise addiction as part of the mental health conversation—not a separate taboo.
Red Flags for Leaders and Teams
Shell shares some of the signs leaders should be alert to—many of which mirror general mental health struggles:
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Erratic moods
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Lateness or increasing sick days
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Loss of interest in appearance or routine
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Withdrawal from team socialising
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Hyper-sociability followed by burnout
And if you recognise those signs in yourself?
You’re not broken. You’re human.
“We Recover Loudly So Others Don’t Die Silently”
That line alone—borrowed from the 12-step programme Shell follows—hits deep.
It’s a call to action for the entire industry: to speak up, share, and show that recovery is possible—and that you can still be part of hospitality without booze.
That includes the 25% of Gen Z who now choose not to drink at all. If our industry doesn’t evolve to include them, we’re excluding future talent.
What Can Employers Do?
Shell shares practical, empathetic advice for employers and managers:
✅ Create regular check-ins
Don’t wait for a crisis. A 15-minute chat once a month can make all the difference.
✅ Lead by example
Show it’s okay to take five minutes for your mental health. Show it’s okay not to go for drinks.
✅ Rethink your incentives
Stop rewarding your team with alcohol. It’s exclusionary—and often unhealthy.
✅ Offer compassionate curiosity
If you’re worried about someone, don’t come in hard. Ask how they are. Ask again.
✅ Signpost free support
Shell recommends these brilliant organisations:
“It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.”
Perhaps one of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is the reminder that recovery is possible.
Sobriety isn’t the end of fun. It’s the start of clarity, connection, and sometimes, the first deep breath you’ve taken in years.
Shell’s message isn’t just for people with “a drinking problem.”
It’s for anyone who uses alcohol as a coping strategy. For anyone feeling pressure. For anyone thinking they have to hold it together 24/7.
You don’t.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode
▶️ Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube
🔗 www.talkinghospitality.com/podcast
Further Resources
Timothy R Andrews
Host & Founder
(Host, 2020– ) Timothy R. Andrews has spent over two decades in hospitality, beginning by collecting glasses in bars and steadily working his way up. After founding and leading a successful recruitment and training business for luxury, 4-star, and 5-star markets for 16 years, Timothy now serves as Head of Talent for Jumeirah Hotels London.
Beyond Jumeirah, Timothy hosts Talking Hospitality, a podcast known for its direct approach to industry issues and practical advice. Each episode tackles real challenges in hospitality today, with guest experts who offer solutions that can be put into action. Through Educating Hospitality, he also provides carefully selected industry-specific training courses that align with podcast topics, helping listeners stay up-to-date and gain practical skills.
Timothy’s work extends into community initiatives as well, including his impactful efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. From guiding them through the complexities of life in the UK to securing jobs, accommodations, and essential services, Timothy’s dedication reflects a belief that hospitality extends beyond the workplace.
Whether listeners want to stay updated on industry trends or learn what’s working in hospitality leadership, Talking Hospitality offers a fresh, entertaining perspective—and is Timothy’s way of giving back to the sector he cares deeply about.
The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of Timothy Andrews and do not reflect the opinions or positions of Jumeirah or any associated brands. Timothy Andrews is speaking in his persona… Read More
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