Why are so many roofers alcoholics/addicts?
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 391
Yes, agreed Hydrogirl.
I'm guessing that jobs that don't consider background checks, references and resumes, etc... and that have a high turnover as a job generally, are the jobs that are available to people who have suffered the more public consequences of addiction.
I'm guessing that jobs that don't consider background checks, references and resumes, etc... and that have a high turnover as a job generally, are the jobs that are available to people who have suffered the more public consequences of addiction.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
hung and rung
Originally Posted by choublak 
I know there are sober roofers out there, but what is the relation between roofing and the higher incidence of alcoholism?
I've known plenty of roofers and painters
many (not all) drink and use
makes it easy for them to drink and miss a day or two of work
and still have some kind of a part time job left
real employers do not go for this sometimes attendance
I had a painting buddy once paint my house
he showed up around every third day to paint
left early with some excuse many times
took him well over a month to paint my house
after he would get in a day or two of painting
he would ask for a little forward on some of the funds
I'd give him a hundred or two
and would not see him again for several days
usually showing back up at my house looking hung and rung
onehigherpower
many (not all) drink and use
makes it easy for them to drink and miss a day or two of work
and still have some kind of a part time job left
real employers do not go for this sometimes attendance
I had a painting buddy once paint my house
he showed up around every third day to paint
left early with some excuse many times
took him well over a month to paint my house
after he would get in a day or two of painting
he would ask for a little forward on some of the funds
I'd give him a hundred or two
and would not see him again for several days
usually showing back up at my house looking hung and rung
onehigherpower
Living in a Pinkful Place
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 7,545
just from my perspective -
alcoholism is in every profession
I'll bet if we did a pole of the professions our "qualifier" (s) I'm thinking we would get a wide variety of answers . . .
I've sat in open AA meetings and heard e, s, & h from laborers, nurses, doctors, attorneys, pilots, managers, housewives, craftsmen, self-employed, unemployed, students, well-educated to the educated from the school of life ~ some with multiple years, some picking up desire chips
some stayed, some didn't
just my thoughts - it's everywhere
My greatest prayer still that one day - it's no where!
pink hugs
alcoholism is in every profession
I'll bet if we did a pole of the professions our "qualifier" (s) I'm thinking we would get a wide variety of answers . . .
I've sat in open AA meetings and heard e, s, & h from laborers, nurses, doctors, attorneys, pilots, managers, housewives, craftsmen, self-employed, unemployed, students, well-educated to the educated from the school of life ~ some with multiple years, some picking up desire chips
some stayed, some didn't
just my thoughts - it's everywhere
My greatest prayer still that one day - it's no where!
pink hugs
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,572
It just seems that a lot of blue collar people drink.
If you get out of jail, you can't jump back into a corporate career easily. You CAN pick up a hammer or paint brush.
But the white collar guys hide it too. Ask me how I know.
If you get out of jail, you can't jump back into a corporate career easily. You CAN pick up a hammer or paint brush.
But the white collar guys hide it too. Ask me how I know.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,796
Originally Posted by hydrogirl
Just my 2 cents, but...
I would certainly prefer to see some statistical, correlative evidence prior to making that sort of sweeping statement about any profession.
I would certainly prefer to see some statistical, correlative evidence prior to making that sort of sweeping statement about any profession.
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 11,481
This is an interesting thread for me, especially as my brother, who has been in the trades for many years, has shown many of the personality traits that A's tend to have. In recent years, subsequent to a divorce and a bad choice in the next relationship, he seems to be starting to drink more heavily than he ever has in the past. Thanks for the discussion--I'm glad to have the insights offered, altho I fervently hope I never need to really apply them in his case....
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 183
That's too funny. We are actually getting a new roof this week and when we were getting bids my RAH mentioned that it seems like there is a disproportionate number of roofers in his meetings.
My guess is that it is a difficult job with large turnover so the positions are easier to get. I also know that people in recovery will help others in recovery with jobs. My husband's AA community is close knit.
My guess is that it is a difficult job with large turnover so the positions are easier to get. I also know that people in recovery will help others in recovery with jobs. My husband's AA community is close knit.
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
seriously, though, ive been pretty much a physical trades type of guy my enire life. i did some form of construction, as side jobs or helping people, my entire life. i was a machinst for 10 years out of high school, then got tired of being trapped in abuilding all day long and got into construction.
yup, lots of drinkers in construction. lots of them very talented and skilled,too. i learned a lot of very valuable skills from them.
why is it lke that? idk. i know theres alcoholics in every profession there is, but from personal experience, there are a LOT in contruction.
yup, lots of drinkers in construction. lots of them very talented and skilled,too. i learned a lot of very valuable skills from them.
why is it lke that? idk. i know theres alcoholics in every profession there is, but from personal experience, there are a LOT in contruction.
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,780
Funny - RAH used to work in roofing when he got started in construction about 20 years ago. Not long ago we were thinking back to those days/people & could not name a single person that he had worked with (group of about 15) that ISN'T an addict of some kind.
Interesting. I'd be interested in your links, you can PM me if it isn't ok to post them here in this thread.
Interesting. I'd be interested in your links, you can PM me if it isn't ok to post them here in this thread.
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 877
I agree about the construction workers. I think it has to do with flexibility and maybe being outside. I don't know, it seems better to be outside being physical when hungover than cooped up at some desk.
On the other hand, my friend married an investment banker and a lot of those guys are huge drinkers too.
On the other hand, my friend married an investment banker and a lot of those guys are huge drinkers too.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,796
Let me clarify that I am aware that there are alcoholics in every profession.
Here's something talking about alcoholics working as roofers:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/3822693-post18.html
Here's something talking about alcoholics working as roofers:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/3822693-post18.html
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest, USA
Posts: 2,899
I'm guessing that jobs that don't consider background checks, references and resumes, etc... and that have a high turnover as a job generally, are the jobs that are available to people who have suffered the more public consequences of addiction.
As a chef, it was customary to go out with the crew after your shift, and a built in "shift drink" and a running tab were part of the deal if you worked in fine dining.
There are a lot of alcoholic chefs.
I surmise that addicts tend to pick professions that enable their addictions, not vice versa.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 17
Wow I was browsing today and after I read this had to say YES. My friend earns his income part time construction, supervising, roofing ! He does it because he can come and go as he pleases, and take jobs when he wants. I am here because Im thinking he has a substance abuse problem, looking for help.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
live and learn
Originally Posted by DreamsofSerenity
No wonder my roof leaks.
had a old friend from school days roof my house once
only after he got into the job for a while did he tell me
that he was addicted to pain pills
due to falling off a ladder in the past and hurting his back
right towards the end of his working on my roof
he slipped on a ladder on the way down
broke his ankle
he asked me if I could bill all of his medical cost to my homeowners ins
I called my lawyer friend and told him what had happened
lawyer asked of me "if he was a private roofing contractor"
I told him yes
he said "no don't refer him to your insurance, he's on his own"
I'm sure that if he would not have been loaded it would not have happened
live and learn
oh yes
I have yet another experience with some roofers later on in life
maybe I'll get to that awful story later !!
onehigherpower
only after he got into the job for a while did he tell me
that he was addicted to pain pills
due to falling off a ladder in the past and hurting his back
right towards the end of his working on my roof
he slipped on a ladder on the way down
broke his ankle
he asked me if I could bill all of his medical cost to my homeowners ins
I called my lawyer friend and told him what had happened
lawyer asked of me "if he was a private roofing contractor"
I told him yes
he said "no don't refer him to your insurance, he's on his own"
I'm sure that if he would not have been loaded it would not have happened
live and learn
oh yes
I have yet another experience with some roofers later on in life
maybe I'll get to that awful story later !!
onehigherpower
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