Priory blames stress for City's drinking habit

The Priory Group of clinics is targeting City workers whose stressful jobs have resulted in alcohol dependency.

It will encourage professionals working in the financial services sector and allied professions to seek help as part of a two-week press campaign being launched t o d ay. The g roup, favoured by celebrities, has 15 hospitals across the country.

Priory psychiatrist Dr Neil Brener, whose practice is in the City, said: "Businesses are only as strong as the people they employ, yet workers are put under enormous pressure to perform.

"Almost four million British workers are dependent on alcohol."

Dr Brener said many high-achievers deal with their problems by " selfmedicating", using alcohol, cocaine or other substances.