Alcohol use as a work factor among female sex workers in escort agencies

Introduction. The aim of the study was to describe organisational factors connected with alcohol use among female sex workers in escort agencies. Method. The article is based on the data resulting from ethnographic research conducted between 2007 and 2011. Data collection employed techniques such as observation, unstructured and informal interviews with workers employed in escort agencies and in-depth interviews with female sex workers. Data analysis followed the principles of the Grounded Theory Methodology. Results. Alcohol use among female sex workers is a social activity connected with work conditions in escort agencies. Quantity of alcohol consumption and drinking patterns depend on the organisational culture of the escort agency, attitudes toward alcohol use of their managers and drinking group norms among co-working women. Most importantly, female sex workers consider alcohol as a substance reducing negative emotions emerging from sex work, facilitating interactions with clients and enabling them to earn extra money.

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