As an alcoholic is it possible to be a bartender? I thought I could be strong but by the second day on the job I’m drinking on the job and made a complete ass of myself. The money is good but I don’t know if I’m strong enough to do this type of job. I start my iop program in a couple weeks in the meantime I am trying to stay sober
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Out of curiosity (and no judgement), as an alcoholic, why did you decide to work in a bar?
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When it comes to work I am usually responsible & I am not making enough money at my regular job to pay my expenses so I wanted to try bartending because i thought it would be easier for me to work a couple nights a week and make good money instead of struggling at the job I’m at now . I have 2 kids and don’t drive due to 2dwis so I needed extra money where I don’t have to work much to pay my Uber costs and everything else .. if I had a sitter I would have chose a better job but I don’t so I need something that I can do a couple times a week and make good $
I’m sure there are exceptions for everything but for me personally it’s difficult to even be in a bar for a couple hours every month or so when I tag along with friends. I think of it like throwing myself into the lion’s den…don’t feel bad that you’re not “strong enough” because trying to stay sober as a bartender would be too much for almost anyone to handle.
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Hi Des, working in a bar while trying to get or stay sober can be challenging. For the first 11 months of my sobriety I was a bartender full-time. One of the perks of the two bars I worked at was that they were dry bars (employees not allowed to drink on shift). One of the ways that I kept myself accountable was telling all of the people I worked with that I no longer drank. They were all super supportive and didn’t feel offended when I didn’t want to go out after work. I also put my sobriety first, it came before anything else in my life. I used all the tools in my toolbox when I was struggling and was sure that my mind was right before going into shifts. If I could redo my early sobriety, I would opt to not work in bars, but it was the job I had when I made the decision. If at any time I thought my job was going to put my sobriety at risk I would start looking for a new one.
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As an aside, I was a bartender for 10 years, and I met a handful of sober bartenders in that time. When I used to ask them how they stayed sober they always talked about having a support system in place and going in every night knowing that drinking wasn’t an option. That being said, I think you need to assess if the money is more important than your sobriety. I don’t think bartending is for everyone, and it definitely isn’t for every sober person.
Good evening Des!!!!
I understand about wanting to be a bartender because of the money. But what’s more important in your life. Having the money or having your life? I understand about meeting the money. But in order to have the money you need to have a Life. Keep drinking you might not even be here to spend the money. Somebody needs to throw a little bit of Toughlove in here. It sounds like to me that you really don’t want to stop drinking yet. This is just for me though. I don’t think you’re done drinking yet because if you were you wouldn’t want to be a bartender just starting to get sober. There’s other jobs out there that gives you good money as well. I know you get tips for being a bartender. But I don’t think the tips are good enough. I think you need to step away from the bartender job and find something else. I have 37 years of sobriety. And to be quite honest I love who I am today but I still need help being sober. I will never ever stop needing help. I am always here to help other people as well. 37 years don’t mean shit to me if I go be a bartender. Because I know if I find friends and they’re drinking I’m gonna drink right along with them. And there goes all my years of sobriety how that might even be the last night that I’m alive I never know. So do you said that you’ve tried it and your second day you drank and made an ass of yourself. Well just think you made of me to ask yourself that night. But you might not make it the next time. I love everybody that’s in recovery even you and I don’t even know you. There’s a lot of people in recovery I don’t know. But I’m here to help everybody. And love everybody. I am sorry about the book but I’m trying to give you a little bit of Toughlove that you need. To help you. Good luck on whatever you decide your sobriety should be more to you then that money. Money is a very dirty thing it’s the dirtiest thing in the world. In
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I am saying all this to you because I want you to stay sober. You have friends here that care. And I’ll be your friend no matter which way you decide. Have faith
I could sell beer & hotdogs at stadium, ordinary beer not tempting at all but I’m sick to death…of football fans
That’s genius
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The holidays are coming. That makes life crazy for bartenders. Plus you’re making money so you’re happy and probably out partying with your free time.
Be careful
Seriously? Imagine a pothead working in a pot dispensary. Gee, wonder if they’ll get high? Or a dope fiend working as a pharmacist? You either want recovery or you want to whine all the time. Whoes whoes me. Get real, you want recovery you have to change. Period!
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They did it on cheers
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It is possible, but it is hard. I'm not sure I would chance it. Also if you are un early recovery, you'd be better off not trying it.
Keep going to a barbershop 
you’ll eventually get a haircut 
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If you’re already drinking on the job, you have your answer. It’s much easier to just not start than it is to stop after already starting. It sucks not being able to handle something that others can, but accepting your own boundaries and limitations is important. I tried something similar but with a liquor store, and it nearly led to me getting arrested for being drunk on the job. Don’t let it get to that point; if you have another option for extra work, anything at all, take it.
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I’ve been sober 6 years and I still wouldn’t feel comfortable working at an opium den. My best advice for you, if you want to stay sober, don’t put yourself in positions where you could falter. I wish you all the best and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Yes it is. I’ve been in hospitality for 22 years and I just celebrated one year sober. It’s so much nicer with a clear head. And more lucrative. You have to really not want to drink and be completely committed.
Get sober first.like a year .give your self a chance.if you are all ready looking bad on the job .it will not get better.go to meetings aa.