Can You Work around Alcohol if You Are a Recovering Alcoholic?, pt. 2
Yesterday, we discussed an article from the New York Times that examined how people in the hospitality industry who had sought treatment for an addiction to alcohol, managed to stay in that industry. The article references a study from the United States Department of Health and Human Services that found that, “Food service workers have the highest rate of illicit drug used and the third-highest rate of heavy alcohol use among major occupations…” People who work long hours in the hospitality field may they are tempted to use drugs and/or alcohol to cover frustrations. They may also turn to substance abuse to maintain the level of energy necessary for their work.
The writer noted that many waiters and wine experts who have gone for alcohol addiction treatment did not want to speak to the press because although things have changed, they felt like there was still a bias against people in their field who do not drink.
On the flip side, some restaurant owners that were contacted for the article told the writer that they were fine with non-drinking employees. For example a chef who wants to maintain sobriety can have one of the cooks taste test dished that require alcohol. As noted yesterday, a bartender can use a recipe. A waiter can rely on other restaurant staff to tell them what wine will go with what dish on the menu.
Another interviewee, who was a celebrity chef in England long before The Food Channel and reality television, knows what job pressures and being around alcohol can do. He fell on hard times after his alcohol addiction spun out of control. After finding himself out of work, he made is way to Alcoholics Anonymous and later went on to start a foundation for people in the restaurant business who are addicted to alcohol. This man noted that wanting to keep sober does not mean that a person absolutely cannot work in a restaurant. Alcohol can be accessed in a variety of ways, no matter what your profession may be.
Still there is something to be said for not putting yourself right in the path of temptation. If you find that you cannot resist alcohol, Transitions Recovery Program is here to help. Part of what we do in our alcohol addiction treatment program is to help our patients understand why they have turned to alcohol in the past. We want to provide you with tools that allow you to resist the lure of alcohol.
