DAY 2 : the challenge really begins. 28 hours at work (alone)

[Scoley76]

So as I stated its day 2 for me. Thank you all for your honestly and support yesterday. It was eye opening to realise what I'm actually doing to myself. 4 bottles of wine in one sitting just sounds ludicrous yet that was me, drinking away all the stress and anxiety.
One of my downfalls has been work. I support adults with learning difficulties in their own home and I'm ashamed to admit that I've taken wine into their homes and at times been on a sleep in and the once drank 6 bottles throughout the night. To actually say that out loud makes me so ashamed. I've done my job for 18 yrs and feel awful that this is where drinking has taken me.
Today will be a test but I'm going to use this thread as a mini blog to get me through it. At the moment I feel great and I'm focused. Wish me luck guys xx

[Calphurnia]

With you OP. Just get through an hour at time, if that feels too long, make it 15 minute slots.

Solidarity from a Sober person

[Scoley76]

@Calphurnia

With you OP. Just get through an hour at time, if that feels too long, make it 15 minute slots.

Solidarity from a Sober person

Thank you xx

[Scoley76]

Well, 3.5 hours Into my shift and I'm managing to stay positive. My mood has dipped a little but I think that's because I'm sitting here thinking about my finances haha. Maybe let's get the notepad out and jot a few things down to get them out of my head.

[Calphurnia]

Make a list of all the reasons to not pick up, short and long term

And another list of all the things you can do instead if you get a thought to drink

You can do this!

[2023forme]

@Scoley76 you are very brave to admit this - drinking at work like this is a real low point as I'm sure you know - but I'm not judging as I've been there too - I once travelled abroad for work and had to get flown home early as I was drunk the whole time. I had real problems at work owing to my drinking and eventually left before I was sacked. Fortunately I got a bit of a pay off - I was in a pretty senior role and had worked with them with a great track record for years before the drinking took off so my manager got me a deal - I was very lucky that my manager rated me very highly and had empathy for my situation (he was aware of some of the horrific childhood issues I had that led me to self-medicate). I am also at the tail end of my working life and am a health care professional so it has been easy for me to get some part time agency work - if I had been sacked, none of this would have happened and I would be in real financial trouble.

Do you have any non-alcoholic vices eg chocolate, crisps, magnum billionaires (mine!), crackers and cheese, haribo etc. Can you stock up on them and snack your way through your shift? Or eat lots of food so you feel too full up to drink? These are not great long term strategies but anything to get you through the first few weeks/months.

If you are worrying about your finances, think of how bad it will be if you get sacked and are without work, even for a little while. And also the positives of not spending money on alcohol.

And think of how happy and satisfied you will be waking up in the morning with your client, knowing that you are there and present for them, helping them live in their own home and doing the best job you can.

You've got this 💪

[Scoley76]

@2023forme

@Scoley76 you are very brave to admit this - drinking at work like this is a real low point as I'm sure you know - but I'm not judging as I've been there too - I once travelled abroad for work and had to get flown home early as I was drunk the whole time. I had real problems at work owing to my drinking and eventually left before I was sacked. Fortunately I got a bit of a pay off - I was in a pretty senior role and had worked with them with a great track record for years before the drinking took off so my manager got me a deal - I was very lucky that my manager rated me very highly and had empathy for my situation (he was aware of some of the horrific childhood issues I had that led me to self-medicate). I am also at the tail end of my working life and am a health care professional so it has been easy for me to get some part time agency work - if I had been sacked, none of this would have happened and I would be in real financial trouble.

Do you have any non-alcoholic vices eg chocolate, crisps, magnum billionaires (mine!), crackers and cheese, haribo etc. Can you stock up on them and snack your way through your shift? Or eat lots of food so you feel too full up to drink? These are not great long term strategies but anything to get you through the first few weeks/months.

If you are worrying about your finances, think of how bad it will be if you get sacked and are without work, even for a little while. And also the positives of not spending money on alcohol.

And think of how happy and satisfied you will be waking up in the morning with your client, knowing that you are there and present for them, helping them live in their own home and doing the best job you can.

You've got this 💪

Thank you for the advice xx