Has that environment been challenging for you? How have you handled it? I’m out of work right now but I’m feeling a little nervous about getting back in the kitchen.
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Hi Alyce! For my first 11 months of sobriety I was a bartender. It was difficult, I had to be really diligent about my boundaries and keep my sobriety as my number 1 priority. If you want to talk more I would be happy to share what helped!
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Thanks Jen! I know bartenders usually get off pretty late but were you ever tempted to go out with coworkers after? How did you handle that? Even though I’d be exhausted, I’d always look forward to going to the bar after instead of just going straight home.
I was a server at a tap house when I got sober, and used to regularly drink until black out with coworkers after shifts there before getting sober. Agree with all that Jenn said, and happy to chat about any of it if you'd like!
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I was honest and upfront about my sobriety the moment I made the decision, so my coworkers knew I wasn’t drinking and didn’t invite me out. Some of the women from the bar at that time are still my closest friends because they respected and actively supported my sobriety. I knew that going out after my shift wasn’t an option in early sobriety. It’s not forever, just until you become sure and strong in sobriety, around the 1 year mark I was open to going to bars every once in a while. As it relates to wanting to unwind after a shift, I learned new things to replace that drink with coworkers. I would go home and cook a good dinner, or meditate, or do some yoga, read some quit lit or listen to a recovery podcast. Recovery is a replacement practice of sorts, replacing the drinking with something else. It’s just a matter of figuring out what works for you.
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I am a chef. The endemic drinking and drugging of our industry is hard to escape. I am actively working towards my last shift in a kitchen and closing the door on that chapter of my life. It is partly to do with partying. Because I’d be lying if I said partying wasn’t what brought me into this business 27 years ago.
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That’s exciting for you! What’s next? I mean I’ve only ever worked in kitchens. I’m not sure what else I’d want/like to do.
Alyce! I’ve been in the industry for over ten years, & I’m currently a server at a brewery. I’ve been pleasantly surprised from the lack of peer pressure from my coworkers, they’ve all been INCREDIBLY supportive. That being said, the temptation is definitely there at times. I just do my best to be honest about my recovery & make sure I’m setting boundaries. Feel free to message me if you ever want to talk!
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Thanks Rachel! And that’s good to hear 
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I sent you a message but basically yeah all I’ve done professionally is working in hospitality. I’m studying to be a project manager and hopefully work in hospitality tech
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Hey Alyce, I'm a server at a crazy busy restaurant in NYC. Reminding myself how important sobriety is for me is a constant in that environment and making up.some nice mocktails always takes the edge off at the end of shifts. My fav at the moment is a mango puree with fresh ginger and club soda, so good and refreshing! As soon as I take that first sip my cravings go away instantly. Finding positive replacements has helped me tremendously on the journey, many blessings!
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Dang that sounds really good! I think having a new “reward” at the end of a long shift will definitely help with the cravings. Thanks Amanda 
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Was a chef for 20 yrs. Got out of it just before everything went nuts. Literally I left it in February of 2020. I can't count how many coworkers came in for a shift in an altered state. If you keep your head down and keep moving it is a lot easier, but still a struggle. If you are lucky you can find a kitchen headed by someone in recovery. That helps a bunch.
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