I am a bartender and have cut down my drinking a lot over the past few months and have it moderated to only drinking 2-3 while I’m working, and I only work 3 days per week, and don’t drink outside of that, but crave it a lot if I haven’t drank for a few days. I don’t think I drink enough to have a physical dependency but mentally I crave checking out while I’m at work. I actually look forward to going to work because I get to drink there. I realized about a week ago that that sounds really crazy that I’m drinking at work. I’ve just gotten used to it in restaurant jobs and have seen it as a perk for a long time. But I’m ready to fully quit drinking. One day last week I had too much at work and got another drink on the way home and it ruined the next day. I had to miss a class at grad school because I was so sick. I’m also on anti-depressants (which is why I had reduced my drinking so much in the first place. Occasionally I drink too much on them and I know it’s bad for my liver) so I get horrible hangovers, and I think about alcohol all the time even though I drink much less than I used to. I’m not able to quit my job right now so I need to figure out how to stop drinking at work. Any suggestions on how to get through a 7 hour shift handling alcohol and staying sober? Does this seem possible or should I start looking for another job?
It's a tough path, but it's possible. The bartender at my old restaurant had quit drinking years before and was dry on that job for probably 20-30 years. Not sober, unfortunately, as we all have our demons, but he was able to stay dry there for decades.
He would make cran-soda to look like a drink when people wanted to buy him a drink, etc. Lots of little substitutes like that.
I was NOT dry when I was tending there (part of why I'm here now...) so I don't know all of his tricks. Good luck!
Thanks!
Yeah I’ve been thinking about substitutions and things like that. It kind of stinks that you have to find ways to lie to stay sober in this job
I used to work in the cocktail waitress/bar environment and personally, I would not have been able to get sober there. Our environment influences us in so many ways. Especially being surrounded by people who don’t see drinking as a problem when I was trying to kick the habit.
You just have to get real honest with yourself. What do you want for yourself? And how do you give yourself the best chance of making that happen? I know working as a bartender can be really good money and that’s a hard trap to free yourself from. But there are other jobs out there and I’d rather work an extra day a week than continue on a path that’s hurting me in the long run.
Well said Grace
Thanks Grace, yeah I had a trial at a sober vegan restaurant a couple days ago and it seemed like a healthy place to work but the pay would be about half what I currently make since they don’t sell alcohol. It would be hard to work an extra day a week while I’m in school but it might be best. I’m going to think about it a lot this week
Sounds like you’re doing a lot on your own. Is there anyone who could help you while you’re figuring things out? Or even government programs like EBT to help pay for groceries or scholarship websites you can submit to year round. Worth looking into..
These are good ideas too. I’ve been trying to manage a lot and keep up financially in an expensive city. My school doesn’t offer scholarships for grad students in my program but maybe I can look into ebt and government programs like that
There are also a lot of independent scholarships to apply for. You can apply through websites like salliemae and unigo.. I also did the school full time and work full time to support myself grind.. it is not easy and having/finding/seeking support is so important! You’re doing great 
Ok I’m going to try it! I get so bogged down applying for things but maybe I’d actually get a scholarship if I tried applying to some again. These are good ideas, thank you
Best of luck with everything 
Are you just there for the $? Or is it actually fun place to work?
State school is free… f private schools
Just for the money. It’s not the worst place I’ve worked though it’s not very fun either
I go to state school, it’s cheaper than private school but definitely isn’t free!!
Dang mine was free after these new Biden laws.. is being a bartender hard? Do drunk guys hit on you? Is that why it’s not that fun? Thx and best of luck!!
Realistically, high probability you aren't going to be able to be sober while tending bar. Sounds like your habit hasn't developed too far , but it can sneak up on you and you'll be drinking more and more every night out of nowhere. Also , if you are on SSRI antidepressants like Zoloft, Prozac or the lot you get a helluva potentiating effect when drinking. Very bad for you and absolutely makes hangovers and blackouts more likely. If you have another option with any type of comparable pay you should do that....like I said you're drinking amount isn't that crazy at the moment but you are rolling the dice poking the alcoholism bear.... especially if you have a history of it throughout your family. I would actually base a lot of what to do on your familial history actually 🤷🤔