AZliving

I have been sober now for 47 days. I've never felt better. The irony in this is finally, I believe, my supervisor may have been notified by security that I have a drinking problem. I can't say where I work, but trust me, they require knowing about my personal problems.

I guess one of the things I have been thinking about is have I really been happy working here anyway? How will I react if security comes to my office to escort me off the property?

I know that personally, I am doing what I need to be doing to stay on the path of healing and wellness.

I can't change this outcome, if in fact this happens today. What I can do is stay close to my God, and keep my head high, knowing that I will be OK either way.

I'm not sure this makes any sense, but I needed to post these feelings, in case this happens today. Thanks for listening.

NJKitty

AZ: Sorry for you angst. Good job on keeping your head high and being prepared to accept whatever may come. You will get through this. In hindsight, it might be a blessing. Congratulations on 47 days, that is the most important thing.

IWillWin

Hi AZ - there are some things over which we have no control. If you do lose your job, just remember it is an opportunity if you choose to make it one.

I'm learning that I allowed my career to define me, and used it as a crutch to avoid a lot of feelings, just like I used alcohol. I can be an anything-aholic apparently and through sober eyes (I'm sober almost 2 years) I now realize this fact fully and completely.

Jobs and careers are a necessary part of living, but not the only component to our lives. Should you find yourself unemployed remember it is temporary and use the time to redefine yourself and work on your sobriety.

Whatever the outcome, you are not alone and your SR family is always here.

Croissant

AZ...my thoughts are with you.

If it happens, just know you have the strength to deal with it sober. No one can take that away.

SoberLeigh

Hope things turn out well for you, AZ.

Stay close to SR; we are here for you.

TucTee

AZ, I know that in certain instances, electing to go to rehab can qualify as denoting a medical condition for which you can't be fired. I have to be vague on this because I don't know the law specifically [ADA, perhaps?], but perhaps you could offer to your employer an agreement to go to in-patient or out-patient treatment to undercut termination.

It's a shot in the dark, but it may be enough to stave off termination by getting out in front and declaring you have an alcohol addiction. If your employer is going to do something like fire you for having a drinking problem, then I say use whatever means necessary to prevent it.

LBrain

AZ, I know the feeling. turning over your security badge and being escorted out by an armed guard. it was a surreal experience to say the least.

Stoogy

It can't be easy at all, regardless of what happens with your job you are becoming a better and healthier person for doing what you are.
Well done on 47 days too, congratulations.

RazaR

Congrats on 47 days!

Losing a job always sucks no matter the reason behind it. It's good that you can still hold your head high and stay calm. One thing that I can say is to remember that all things happen for a reason. Every time I've lost a job I always found a better one waiting for me. Maybe not the next day, but I eventually found it, and occasionally in the nick of time.

Verte

Hi Azliving,

Here is a good link https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-over...visors/#Status to a resource for supervisors regarding how the Federal system operates with regard to alcohol abuse in the workplace.

In my experience the government has excellent resources in place for rehabilitation that often are models for other workplace policies.

If it is possible to look past the stigma which surrounds alcohol abuse, maybe this experience of yours and anything (resulting from whatever the incident was) could be viewed in a positive light?

Would you feel comfortable talking confidentially with your higher up before they come to you and discussing what was going on so you can get as much support and resources as possible (while you are contemplating whether or not you even like your job)?

Just a thought. You are totally not alone in your experience...everyone has issues . There may be some great supportive resources available to you on you "path of healing and wellness" so you do not have to manage alone.

Obviously you know your situation better than anyone...so this above is just suggestion.

Take care! Be gentle with yourself. You are not alone. Post often. (everyone here on SR is great at these reminders).

AZliving

Well, I'm still here. Thanks everyone for the kind words and advise. There is always something to be learned from these type of experiences.

firstymer

AZliving, you can be fired for things like showing up drunk at work. But, if you are 47 days sober, there are very, very few circumstances where merely having a past HISTORY of alcohol abuse is sufficient to justify termination. You should look at your employment policies. You will likely find that your employer will be supportive of your efforts to receive treatment. And, for most positions of employment, your being pro-active in your disclosure may actually make it LESS likely that you will be fired or disciplined. At least as long as you are able to stay sober and continue to perform your work duties as required.

A brief phone call to an Arizona employment law attorney would be wise.

Good luck.

Croissant

Was there an issue? Or were you being paranoid? (I say that respectfully!)

Chicagoan

In spite of your apprehension AZ,
most importantly, stay sober.

AZliving

There was an issue. I am working on fixing the issue. I had an arrest, and the charges are being dropped, if I complete 30 AA meetings, which I am doing.

I was just being jumpy yesterday. After looking at my situation again, if I did lose my job, I would still be ok. I want to leave this job on my terms, if that makes any sense. I do have a new found relationship wih God, and I know that what ever happens, he will be with me.

Thanks again to all of you for reading my post.

MythOfSisyphus

Glad to see things are okay. One part of recovery/getting well is accepting your situation and owning up to it. That doesn't mean giving up, just that most of us got in the mess we wound up in over a long time. Just 'cause we are sober now doesn't get us off the hook for all the mistakes we made while drinking. But it sounds like you're taking responsibility and doing what you have to do.

Notmyrealname

Most of the time employers terminate employees either because they are forced to, as a response to egregious misconduct, or because of repeated instances of behavior that causes annoyance and trouble for middle management. Other than that, if you come to work and keep your head down, usually the bell does not toll for thee.

Unless there's a reduction in force or something like that.. then the knives come out.