Sober ... for now
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: England, UK
Posts: 2
Sober ... for now
Evening,
I am knew to the forum so wanted to say hello. I have been sober 6 days (once midnight rolls around in two hours) and am so far enjoying the new me and all the good feelings that have come with taking action to quit.
My biggest concern is that next week I am back at work (one of my main triggers) and I am doing so well yet am scared of what next week will bring. I am on annual leave this week, just lazing round the house, and I have used this break to get sober however my main trigger is my working environment . The role I work in is a highly driven sales based role and the characters that come with that sort of work (the extroverted party animal type) are in abundance in my office and I know that the minute I am back at work next week there will be so many pressures put on me that are almost impossible to handle.
I won't say this week off has been easy however I have done it, I am sober and I don't want to ruin the work I have put in yet I am already doubting my ability with the thought of going back into that office on Monday morning.
Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated
I am knew to the forum so wanted to say hello. I have been sober 6 days (once midnight rolls around in two hours) and am so far enjoying the new me and all the good feelings that have come with taking action to quit.
My biggest concern is that next week I am back at work (one of my main triggers) and I am doing so well yet am scared of what next week will bring. I am on annual leave this week, just lazing round the house, and I have used this break to get sober however my main trigger is my working environment . The role I work in is a highly driven sales based role and the characters that come with that sort of work (the extroverted party animal type) are in abundance in my office and I know that the minute I am back at work next week there will be so many pressures put on me that are almost impossible to handle.
I won't say this week off has been easy however I have done it, I am sober and I don't want to ruin the work I have put in yet I am already doubting my ability with the thought of going back into that office on Monday morning.
Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,506
Welcome lancslad! I think it'll help to talk things over here - with those who understand. You're doing a wonderful thing for yourself. I know what you mean about temptations - but there's nothing in it for us anymore. You've fought hard to get free - hold on to your hopes and dreams. Alcohol isn't part of them.
Glad to meet you - congrats on your 6 days sober. I'm so glad you made the big decision to change your life.
Glad to meet you - congrats on your 6 days sober. I'm so glad you made the big decision to change your life.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Welcome to SR. Six days is great.
What kind of pressure? Pressure to drink?
Originally Posted by lancslad91 
I know that the minute I am back at work next week there will be so many pressures put on me that are almost impossible to handle.
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Do you want to be sober permanently? If so, a plan of action (mine is AA, for example) is crucial as you begin to learn to live without alcohol.
Bottom line- our jobs, our spouses, our kids, our.....nothing can make us drink except us. How badly we want to be sober is the thing.
Bottom line- our jobs, our spouses, our kids, our.....nothing can make us drink except us. How badly we want to be sober is the thing.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,313
Hi lancslad 
There's a lot of high powered executive types here so it's entirely possible to stay sober in that kind of environment - thrive even.
Naturally it takes a lot of commitment and effort, probably a few lifestyle changes and a reliance on sober support...but if you want it, you can have a life fully lived in recovery.
I'm guessing you're a pretty good salesman and negotiator...if you can handle those kind of pressures and still come out on top, your office workmates will only be a problem if you let them be...not impossible by any definition of the word
Yes you may become known as the non drinker - but surely thats better than the life you're living now?
D
There's a lot of high powered executive types here so it's entirely possible to stay sober in that kind of environment - thrive even.
Naturally it takes a lot of commitment and effort, probably a few lifestyle changes and a reliance on sober support...but if you want it, you can have a life fully lived in recovery.
I know that the minute I am back at work next week there will be so many pressures put on me that are almost impossible to handle.
Yes you may become known as the non drinker - but surely thats better than the life you're living now?
D
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 328
Hi, starting day 6 with you just gone midnight and come from exactly the same professional environment as you so understand how trying it can be.
Non drinking or drinking little can be jibed as a sign of weakness or failure or even just "losing your edge" in these circles.
Just look forward to your success increasing 10 fold being sober and leave the hangovers and remorse to the other guys n gals.
Well done for getting started and glad to be on the journey with you!
Non drinking or drinking little can be jibed as a sign of weakness or failure or even just "losing your edge" in these circles.
Just look forward to your success increasing 10 fold being sober and leave the hangovers and remorse to the other guys n gals.
Well done for getting started and glad to be on the journey with you!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: England, UK
Posts: 2
Afternoon and thank you for all the replies so far.
To give a little more detail to my post I mean that the mentality on the sales floor is very fast paced and that also goes for the social aspect of the job. The majority, not all, of the workforce meet for drinks most nights after work and the weekend 'sesh' starts as soon as we finish work on Friday at the pub across the road.
The problem I have is that I don't have a great number of friends outside of the office (i am quite introverted) so the choice to not join them and party with them brings with it the problem of me being quite isolated. Also, the drink is only part of the problem it is the substances I seek out once drunk that have the biggest hold on me especially as they are a way of me escaping my introverted personality.
I am one of the top sales staff in my office (despite my introverted personality) and the idea mentioned above of seeing the negotiation of me not drinking as a sales/persuasion challenge has definitely got me thinking. One issue that comes with being good at my job is the commission that comes with it as I am often seen as someone for others to lean on and use to support their own addictions which in turn feeds mine.
I see myself as an alcohol and a drug addict yet I am confused as to how I can be addicted if I can resist when out of certain environments like I have done this week on my annual leave.
To give a little more detail to my post I mean that the mentality on the sales floor is very fast paced and that also goes for the social aspect of the job. The majority, not all, of the workforce meet for drinks most nights after work and the weekend 'sesh' starts as soon as we finish work on Friday at the pub across the road.
The problem I have is that I don't have a great number of friends outside of the office (i am quite introverted) so the choice to not join them and party with them brings with it the problem of me being quite isolated. Also, the drink is only part of the problem it is the substances I seek out once drunk that have the biggest hold on me especially as they are a way of me escaping my introverted personality.
I am one of the top sales staff in my office (despite my introverted personality) and the idea mentioned above of seeing the negotiation of me not drinking as a sales/persuasion challenge has definitely got me thinking. One issue that comes with being good at my job is the commission that comes with it as I am often seen as someone for others to lean on and use to support their own addictions which in turn feeds mine.
I see myself as an alcohol and a drug addict yet I am confused as to how I can be addicted if I can resist when out of certain environments like I have done this week on my annual leave.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Originally Posted by lancslad91
I see myself as an alcohol and a drug addict yet I am confused as to how I can be addicted if I can resist when out of certain environments like I have done this week on my annual leave.
Introversion is a personality trait, not a reason to drink and get high. Nor is it a reason to be isolated.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 328
If you look at my first post on this site titled "long time reader first time poster" I believe I replied to Dee on exactly the subject of having to change the people in your life that you are around and can trigger your drink and substance abuse.
I confused friends with people who were actually drinking and partying buddies and I couldn't be more happy to be away from that cycle of destruction.
I still work in sales and consultancy and enjoy great success but have not associated with my party buddies for 2-3 yrs.
Working with people does not mean that you "need" to socialise with them especially if it is bad for you.
I know it's really tough and a hard cycle to break but there is good on the other side.
I confused friends with people who were actually drinking and partying buddies and I couldn't be more happy to be away from that cycle of destruction.
I still work in sales and consultancy and enjoy great success but have not associated with my party buddies for 2-3 yrs.
Working with people does not mean that you "need" to socialise with them especially if it is bad for you.
I know it's really tough and a hard cycle to break but there is good on the other side.
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
To be blunt- and as someone who was one of the top salespeople in my field for a decade plus- sales jobs are zero excuse for drinking. Period.
I work with a restaurant industry recovery group - it became my chosen field as I floundered after leaving my "real" successful career, and was a perfect place to drink for years....and I almost always say when visiting restaurants to talk to their staff about our work for folks struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, which is rife in the restaurant world....many people cite sales jobs as impossible to do and avoid drinking, but the only job there is where your "office" is a bar is in a restaurant. If you can do it there- and you can- it's possible anywhere.
Final note- looking back, I recall all the really successful people (more than me) who were NOT the big drinkers of any office, gathering or big meeting.
I work with a restaurant industry recovery group - it became my chosen field as I floundered after leaving my "real" successful career, and was a perfect place to drink for years....and I almost always say when visiting restaurants to talk to their staff about our work for folks struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, which is rife in the restaurant world....many people cite sales jobs as impossible to do and avoid drinking, but the only job there is where your "office" is a bar is in a restaurant. If you can do it there- and you can- it's possible anywhere.
Final note- looking back, I recall all the really successful people (more than me) who were NOT the big drinkers of any office, gathering or big meeting.
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