Can you tell them it’s policy to not drink on the job?
This is helpful. Yeah I’m concerned about mixing it with the meds I’m on, which is Lexapro. Apparently you can have one drink a day on it but that doesn’t really work for me. And it makes the meds work worse. I’ll think about the family history thing-there is some addiction in the family
I wish the problem was the customers buying me drinks. The problem is me secretly pouring myself a few drinks while I’m working 
Thanks for the thoughts and support everyone, I appreciate it
I'd personally be very hesitant to lie or deceive others at the bar. Its not easy at first, but you can say "I don't drink". I live in the alcoholic capital of the world (Wisconsin) and it's not rare to have bartenders that don't drink. Sure, people are going to try to pressure you. Those pressures are going to continue throughout life. Starting out sobriety by being deceitful isn't the best solution
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Lexapro works pretty well, just don't skip a dose. If you need too, put soda with a cherry and make it look like a mixed drink. Say your sippin on that now. It's just an illusion.
There might be a support group in your city for sober service industry professionals. Or, you might check out Ben’s Friends, which is a National group: https://www.bensfriendshope.com
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Great idea! Thank you
I was a bartender I had to manage I still drank a good bit though and was constantly bought drinks I know the money is good cause I did it but I had to leave the field I was never gonna reach my full potential staying a bartender. I knew every bartender in all the cities around me it had become my life I one day said no way walked out and it’s the best thing I ever did it works for some it didn’t work for me if I wanted to be alcohol free only you can decide what works and is best for you in the long run. Good luck to you hang in there your worth it
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Love that reference! Thanks
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Thank you! So true, it’s almost like being attached to the whole job, not just the drinks
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I’ve bartended in both Chicago & Hollywood for the past 20 years or so - a large portion of that time I was drinking both on my days off and while I worked. Alcohol abuse was deeply ingrained in my DNA. I would call it one of my defining characteristics. I’ve been sober for 5+ years now. I don’t think there are any “tips” or “hacks.” I just made the decision to quit and I stuck with it. NO MATTER WHAT. There were plenty of times I was completely uncomfortable in my own skin (especially in the beginning). I’ve felt like an outsider around people I knew well. I saw relationships change - sometimes “friends” disappeared completely. I went from being a gregarious extrovert to more of a contemplative introvert. I have a fraction of the confidence around women that I used to have . . . etc. My point is it might not have been easy but I do not care. I do not care. I do not care. I am not drinking again. NO MATTER WHAT. It’s off. It’s over. I’m DONE with it.
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Haha it is. I was thinking that on my walk home from work today while I was sober
It’s hard to let go of the persona you have when you’re drinking!
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Yes to “no matter what”
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I think it can be done to quit drinking while being constantly tempted, but it would take an enormous amount of will power. It sounds like your habit has taken root, and will want to feed. Personally I think you would have much better luck if you change jobs. A major part of being sober means developing the mental capacity to identify triggering situations, and avoiding them. And it takes time. 3 years into my sobriety I went to a punk festival all by myself. There was beer everywhere and they were giving out samples at every booth. Even though I felt established in my sobriety, I was extremely tempted to drink. By the time I couldn't take it anymore and was about to get a drink, they ran out of beer. Thank God. I had Angels looking over me. But my point is, I learned that situations like that trigger me, so I avoid them.
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This is good advice, I’m going to pay attention to this idea of removing triggers. Work is a very triggering situation and I would be better served not being around the culture of drinking at all, I agree with that
While I’m still working there going to treat it like a job where I could get fired for drinking on the clock and not allow myself to drink while I figure out a plan for changing up what I do for work. I’m going to tell my coworkers and boss that I’m sober so they won’t offer me anything. That’s the plan of action of now. I already told one coworker that it’s a problem for me and got a look of real concern so I think saying this out loud at work and having some accountability there would help