Teachers in England will have to act as "role models" both in and out of school under a proposed new code of conduct.
They could face losing their status if they get drunk and into arguments while out socialising, or do not get help for drink or drug problems.
The draft code has been published by the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE). GTCE chief executive Keith Bartley said the code set out to teachers that they had to consider their place in society. GTCE head of professional regulation David James said: "You might have an incident in a pub, someone has had too much to drink and there's been some pushing and shoving.
"It hasn't resulted in a criminal offence, but we would look at it in great detail. It is not something we would want teachers to do, but professionally would it have an impact on their registration status?"
On alcohol or substance abuse, he said: "We have the ability to impose restrictions on registration, ways you can remain as a teacher, but you must undertake some training, or counselling or you must give us a medical report." Teachers could also be disciplined if they fail to pass on suspicions about child abuse.
Nansi Ellis, head of education policy at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, voiced concern about the code. She said: "It is treading a potentially slippery slope if it creates a code of practice which covers teachers' behaviour in their private lives."