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Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1
Help
This is my first time posting to a forum. I am in the depths of a hangover depression and I just need someone to hear me. I've been a bartender for 20 years, I started drinking to cope with the high stress environment I'm in. When im not at work, i try to avoid even being around alcohol. But as soon as I walk in the door to work, I'm filled with dread of brutal beating my body and soul are about to take, and I reach for the whiskey. I don't know what to do. I want to quit, but at 40, this is pretty much all I've ever done.
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: East Coast
Posts: 853
Hi Kaahl! Welcome to the site. There are lots of great and supportive people here who can offer advice and experience. Personally, I think it could be really exciting to make a career change or go back to school or pursue a new passion in your life. It sounds like you're too good for that job 
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 120,854
Welcome to SR, Kaahl; very glad you found us.
You will find an abundance of support, encouragement and understanding here.
I am sorry to hear that your work environment is so stressful; it sounds like a very unhealthy situation for you.
You will find an abundance of support, encouragement and understanding here.
I am sorry to hear that your work environment is so stressful; it sounds like a very unhealthy situation for you.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,756
Welcome to the family. Even tho it's more difficult, you can work in a bar and not drink. If you want to be sober more than you want to drink. In the meantime, why not go back to school or get training for a different career.
Even tho it's more difficult, you can work in a bar and not drink. If you want to be sober more than you want to drink. In the meantime, why not go back to school or get training for a different career. 
Reality...what a concept!
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: CT, USA
Posts: 1,232
Welcome! With your job it will be difficult, but not impossible; met a bartender in AA who is nearly 20 years sober. But if your job is causing enough stress to drink over it then maybe its time for a new job - bartender or otherwise. Any trigger to drink is a sign we need to change something in our plan...perhaps for you it's a new career?
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,366
Hi and welcome Kaahl
I quit at 40 after 20 years drinking and from the perspective of 10 years sober I can tell you it's definitely not too late.
I wasn't a bartender but I was a musician and drinking at the bar became a huge part of things for me. I actually lost my career over many poor drunken performances.
But...I got back into music after a couple of years. Now I'm there for the music - it's my job.
I know alcohol and I have a toxic relationship. I leave it alone.
D
I quit at 40 after 20 years drinking and from the perspective of 10 years sober I can tell you it's definitely not too late.
I wasn't a bartender but I was a musician and drinking at the bar became a huge part of things for me. I actually lost my career over many poor drunken performances.
But...I got back into music after a couple of years. Now I'm there for the music - it's my job.
I know alcohol and I have a toxic relationship. I leave it alone.
D
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