I was stressed and sleepless last night, knowing I had to go face whatever was to come. It was a rough night, but I didn't drink. It was never really an option, but I was tempted. I can't lie.
This morning I told myself two things:
1: Whatever happens, I do not have to take abuse from that toxic individual again. Period.
2: I never have to drink again. No matter how stressed and scared I get.
I went to management and they were sympathetic, but without witnesses or documentation, there was little they could do. They expressed regret and sorrow, and wanted me to stay, but they saw my determination. So it goes.
I got together with a friend after, and he said how glad he was that I didn't drink. He suggested that the whole experience was my addiction throwing everything it had at me in order to get me to drink. Not literally, of course, but figuratively.
So, around one in the afternoon I got a call from a company I know of and applied at. They asked me to come down.
Long story short, they hired me on the spot. They're offering me a pretty decent package. A little less than I was making, but better benefits. I start work again on Wednesday. Dang, I was hoping for a couple more days off!
The moral, for me at least, is that I don't have to put up with abuse or hostility from anyone. As I've heard others say, my sobriety is hard won, and it isn't worth it. I was scared--scared out of my wits, but I made the move. It took courage, but I did it.
I almost broke down and cried when I was getting hugs from people as I made some goodbyes. I made some good friends there, and most had an idea what I was going through. They ALL told me how proud they were of me for making a stand.
And, yes, I explained it all to not only the HR officer, but the Project Manager. He was very interested to hear it, and he said that he understood where I was coming from, and wished I had come forth sooner. I replied that I felt it would have made matters ten times worse. He nodded his head. He also said that he would investigate the matter.
And so now my commute will be much shorter, I can sleep until six instead of dragging myself up at 4:30, and I feel very good about this new job. I also know one of the guys there, and he thinks a lot of both me and my work, so I have that comfort factor going in.
Thanks, thanks, to everyone.