Alcohol and Work

Struggling Help
#1

My company is really big on drinking. We have a keg in the office and a lot of socializing happens at happy hour later in the week. I’m realizing that I can’t even be around alcohol in my early recovery bc my mind immediately thinks “just one drink” is going to go well for me. These people are my friends and colleagues but they dont struggle with alcohol like I do.

I just got a promotion and love my job but am worried this is not good for my sobriety. Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks all

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#2

You know you. Listen to your own advice.

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#3

My Co workers have beers every Friday at lunch. I get along with them all. I stopped showing up once I realized I can’t stop. Alcoholism runs deep in my workplace. So I don’t participate. And three of us meet in a different place for lunch. Everyone is understanding. It’s great.

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#4

Do they know you're struggling?

#5

They don’t.. I’m kind of ashamed to say I’m an alcoholic. Which is totally an issue I have to work through. And I don’t yet have that automatic “no” reason for not drinking nailed down either.

#6

I think your worry over whether or not it's good for your sobriety is totally warranted. I'm assuming a job change isn't something you wanna do now, but that's an option. The other option is just pushing back, it you have to. I mean if someone gives you shït for not drinking, that's pretty lame. You know you don't have to be like everyone else. This is YOUR life that YOU have to live. I don't know your story, but I'm assuming you've been to some dark places in your drinking. That has got to carry more weight than what other drinkers think.

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#7

Tough one! Recovery first no matter what. I had to change everything including some great situations to save my life🤷‍♂️

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#8

I changed jobs because of a prior employera frat boy culture. They had beer taps with beer in the « play room » and it was just a bad idea.

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#9

Maybe you can work up the courage to talk to your coworkers about it. I used to be ashamed of my drug use but honestly people normally are pretty supportive. Sometimes you gotta make that hard decision and find a new company and an environment that doesn’t have alcohol easily assessable. I wish peace for you and sending you positivity.
ଘ(੭ ᐛ ):heart:

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#10

Thanks everyone it means a lot to me! :pray::purple_heart:

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#11

Hi Hannah. I put myself in a situation similar. I lost my job and had nowhere to go so I moved in with my niece. She is a hardcore drinker and I couldn’t live that life after 2 months. I was able to get unemployment and moved out. Life is so much better without living with somebody that drinks alcohol everyday. I sleep better, wake up better, live better. Been sober 2yrs 3 months and couldn’t be happier than ever. Hang in there and stay safe and healthy without alcohol. Paul!

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#12

That is wild, a keg in the office? Stay strong, you can do it. Play the tape, reach out.

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#13

when u can’t come up with anything good just say your on antibiotics that will give u a pass 🫠

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#14

Find a new job. But you have to know your self will. What I can say is life is so much better clean and sober. If you feel that you can’t say no then find a new job. Your life is worth it!!

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#15

It doesn't sound like they "don't struggle" at all. Best of luck! We're all behind ya!!

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#16

Take your time and slowly move away from current situation ... be proactive in applications...
They talk about this in the book it's called regression we make excuses for things that are toxic in our lives and then we make life decisions about those toxic things alcohol is poison to me I can't imagine having alcohol around all the time at my job be strong make the sober decision for once I'm in your corner

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#17

Me in sponsor mode for a second…
As I see it you have 4 options only one of which is safe

A.quit your job and find a healthy work environment

B. Be honest and open with your supervisors and close colleagues about the issue. Set boundaries…does not guarantee a change but that is doing your part in the process.

C. Stay uncomfortable and tempted to drink. Not say anything and eventually drink

D. Stay uncomfortable and tempted to drink. Not say anything. Walk all over yourself trying to people please by acting as if it doesn’t bother you -stay “sober” and absolutely miserable.

I am responsible for myself and making healthy decisions for myself. No one is going to do that for me.
I may not like the healthy path but that does not matter.

The promises (12 step) are for people who do it, not the people who want it or need it.

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#18

I feel you. I started a job two months after I quit drinking last year. All the social activities revolved around drinking and it was frequent enough to be bothersome. I noticed that the drinking seemed to be related to other underlying issues with the workplace culture. Management didn't care about mental health and expected people to grind through being productive no matter what kind of pressure they put on everyone. I'm wondering: is there other unhealthy stuff going on at your work besides the drinking that's also causing you stress?

In my case, I decided to leave about six months ago. I'm still unemployed. Getting a new job has been harder than i anticipated (my industry is having tons of layoffs), but I still don't regret leaving. Not at all.

Anyway, I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. It sounds tough. I think this is one of the hardest things about quitting: all the other things in your life that you have to start evaluating because you can't ignore how they make you feel anymore. Good on you for realizing the environment isn't helping you. Good luck!

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#19

I was ashamed to admit I was an alcoholic. I was scared to go back to work. But people we’re actually very understanding and and we’re able to open up about themselves and family and friends that strugge

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#20

U should asks to be transferred if possible to a cite tht don’t have alcohol or meeting which involve that due to your religion or something