Almost half of young men and women need alcohol to enjoy themselves at the Christmas party, according to a poll.
The survey, for the Government's Know Your Limits campaign, found that drinkers in their 20s and 30s needed a drink to feel confident around colleagues.
More than two in five (43%) drinkers aged 18 to 24 and 45% of 25 to 34-year-olds said they required alcohol, compared with just 13% of those over 55. Both men and women were equally as likely to say they hit the bottle at the Christmas party.
Across all age groups, 28% said they relied on alcohol to get through the office Christmas party.
The Government's recommended limits are for women to drink no more than two or three units of alcohol a day and for men to consume no more than three or four.
The YouGov survey was carried out among 1,429 adults in England who drink alcohol.
The poll also revealed that 23% feel they need to drink regularly at after-work gatherings, not just during the festive season.
Liz Tucker, stress counsellor and health awareness promoter for Herefordshire Primary Care Trust, said: "While it may be the 'season to be merry', you should think carefully before overdoing it this Christmas. Not just for the benefit of your health, but for your reputation among your friends and colleagues as well.
"Many people feel pressure to drink alcohol when socialising and the office Christmas party can be a particularly stressful occasion - socialising amongst colleagues you may not often spend time with outside work, or with a boss you're keen to impress.
"Drinking alcohol may appear to give you the confidence boost you need but those around you may see things differently. You can all too easily become over confident, and say or do things you wouldn't do when sober. Drinking isn't a great solution for nerves and you don't need to rely on alcohol to have fun."
