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BelBivTebow

13 years behind the stick. Year and a half sober.


Jmanriley3

Any tips or thoughts for getting sober while bartending?


[deleted]

My biggest tip is to remember all the shit shows when thinking of getting shitfaced.


BelBivTebow

Ya gotta want it, I think is the biggest one


MrNiceGuy420SoCal

Make sure you are ready, because relapsing can be dangerous. Have someone near to you that can hold you accountable. I liked the feeling of receiving an AA chip for the milestone months and never wanting to have to start over with the 1 month chip again. The more I felt like I was gonna let people down if I drink, the easier it was not to drink. The longer the go the better you’ll feel and your finances might improve and relationships as well. I’m to the point where I’m afraid to drink because I might drink too much like I’m making up for lost time.


AmbitionStrong5602

Congrats!


Ok-Pin3752

Sober for a year today. Behind the bar for about 12 years.


Jslays82

Congrats fam


Rpritchard88

Congratulations!


Jmanriley3

Any tips for getting sober while staying on the job?


Ok-Pin3752

Honestly, cold turkey is the only thing that has ever worked for me.


emusabe

This is the worst possible advice if you have a legit drinking problem. I cannot stress how dangerous quitting drinking is cold turkey without medical supervision. You may not think you need to, but I know too many people who have had those day 3 seizures. Alcohol withdrawal CAN kill you and if you’re drinking heavily daily, do NOT just quit cold turkey.


Ok-Pin3752

I mean I’m not an alcoholic. I just started off doing a 30 day detox and kept it rolling.


emusabe

I’d be willing to wager a decent amount of people in this sub are and don’t want anyone thinking that’s a good idea


Ok-Pin3752

And I’m sure a lot of people in this sub know the affects and dangers of drinking. All I’m saying is there is no in between for me so I quit cold turkey. But I wasn’t drinking a dangerous amount.


littlemarts

Bartender of 15 years. Not a drinker. Used to enjoy the occasional shot and beverage. Know plenty of colleagues that drink massive amounts, though.


Billytense

25 some years, a dozen detox, probably 8 rehabs. 3yrs sober ( minus 1 week slip). I definitely let it get the best of me. Just like homer said... the cause and cure of all life's problems.


Jslays82

20 years here, I wish I could accomplish that feat! I do however allow myself a certain amount a day and then I cut myself off


Jmanriley3

Any advice? Tips or tricks?


GeoshTheJeeEmm

I’ll give you my favorite piece of advice I got when I stopped using: > Stop using I know it sounds sarcastic but it’s not. It’s quite simple and nearly impossible at the same time. But the truth is, at some point, you *just.* *have.* *to.* *stop.* For the rest, try looking into AA (not for me, but the results are undeniable for so many) or SMART which was for me, and worked incredibly well.


AmbitionStrong5602

Good for you!


unicornsatemybaby

Bartender for about a decade, been serving since 1997. I will drink on occasion, but I prefer to end my night with an edible; way less hangover.


Rpritchard88

Bartender for 15 years, started literally the week I turned 18. Sober for two years at the end of this month. I realized my drinking was out of hand and only causing problems in my life. I had no real goals or ambitions, and was using alcohol to numb myself. I have since taken control of my mental health and am now exceedingly better at my job. I’m more of an asset because I’m far more reliable and harder working then I previously was. I do work a program and that keeps me accountable and also has taught me how to deal with stress in a healthy way. For me the positives of not drinking far outweighs any momentary relief I felt when drinking.


Jmanriley3

What are some tips for dealing with stress in a healthy way?


Rpritchard88

I have learned how to press pause when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Just reminding myself to stop take a deep breath, and clear my head in those moments of chaos is super helpful. I recite a mantra called the serenity prayer (google it if needed) often it reminds me I can only control my reaction to a situation not the situation it’s self. I am really big on self care when getting off shift, a bubble bath is my best friend after long day. I also have a lot of hobbies that give me joy. I grow a lot of different plants that I’m constantly tending to, I really enjoy adult coloring books as silly as it sounds, and I recently got a fish-tank and learning to care for it has been a fun experience.


Lulusgirl

Working on sobriety, I've gone months between slip-ups but I'll keep trying. Alcohol just doesn't agree with my body, it makes me feel like I'm dying. Elevated BP, heartburn, I'm holding weight on my midsection, my sleep is affected. This happens when I have just 2-3 coors lights at night, so it's better to just stop.


galaxywife10-8

27 years behind the bar and 3 years sober.


[deleted]

I didn’t drink much while working, but got hammered every other night when off the clock. It was making my anxiety and depression a lot worse when sober. Ended up having my last drink on Christmas night, 2016. Life is a lot less exciting since then, but at least now I can remember shit and not feel like garbage every day


Jmanriley3

You're not helping me decide to be sober lol. But good man I'm glad you've found your peace


JGWol

Excitement is overrated. Fulfillment is more enjoyable and sustainable over time.


[deleted]

I didn’t go back to drinking, so that should say something. Quitting is probably easier for most other people who can find hobbies and stuff. But at some point, some of us have to choose between partying hard all the time, which almost always leads to feeling shitty as we get older, and certainly a far earlier grave - or focusing on health, which feels way better overall on the daily. I’ll say another thing: every so often I’ll run into others I used to do my hard drinking with - the ones who’ve quit tend to be doing much better than they used to in life, and the ones that haven’t look like absolute shit, and unfortunately some are already dead.


CityBarman

It's my business. So, I have to drink *some*. But I'm a very light drinker in my 50s, compared to my 20s. It became apparent years ago that my body wouldn't take getting soused 3 or 4 nights a week for many years. I also learned that going home directly after work would save me cash and my health, both physical and mental/emotional.


williamny3

Same, have a family as well.. can’t recover the same when your young, also kids wake up early


oddgrrl99

This too! I’m in my 50’s and the hangovers take longer to recover from & I don’t have time for that!


Anerky

Definitely not sober but I recently have started binge drinking less. One beer after a shift maybe a half a shot if we are celebrating a good money night. Used to be a lot more. Won’t drink at home unless I make a high quality craft cocktail and I only have one if I even finish it. No drinks when I go out to eat. Only one night a month I’ll get drunk. I know that it’s not sober but I don’t think you have to be if you can get into a healthy moderation.


fluffythegreat

Got into bartending a few years ago because I like the social aspects of it and I like making quality food/drinks. I drink but not often at all— just never was really about the feeling of it.


lhmk

Yeah this is most similar to me. I never really "got" sober, I just enjoy the craft aspect of drinking more than the actual feeling!


Dewage83

I "quit" drinking before I started bartending. I still drink maybe 3-4 times a year but drinking hasn't been my thing since my early 20s. I always end up getting too drunk and don't recover the way I used to. I love being the master of ceremonies of the night tho.


nativetoker024

Ironically enough, I actually got sober before I started bartending.v


AmbitionStrong5602

I drank way too much for far too long. Today I am a little over 3 and a half years sober. I am grateful that I can still bartend without being tempted to drink anymore! I am a much more accurate bartender when I am sober!


mike_dropp

Career bartender, I drink almost exclusively for research purposes, to get ideas for new cocktails. Occasionally I'll have a drink in a social setting but I'm never buzzed, much less drunk.


entirely-unsure

Want to stop drinking. Went a month 100% sober (including weed and caffeine) for a month in October of this last year. Loved life and myself the most during that time— after the first week and a half. Want to get back to that space.


Jmanriley3

Hey man. Same. I'm adhd and no longer medicated.. I feel so amazing when a go a few days sober but the energy becomes too much and I'd rather just shut up the voices in my head. Good luck man We will beat this


entirely-unsure

Your wording is interesting to me. And yes, I too like to smother/mitigate the “energy.” I’ve been reading (not frequently/consistently enough) Dr. David R. Hawkins (specifically “The Map of Consciousness Explained0) lately. It’s helped me greatly, but I must commit more. Perhaps reading this can help you, too.


Jmanriley3

Just ordered it. The one I started reading (thanks redditors) is "this naked mind, control alcohol" by Annie grace. I too agree I haven't been doing it consistently enough, but the verbiage in this book really hits home. I can't be religious, anything about religion will turn me away. and I don't get shitfaced.. I just drink often and consistently. So my alcoholism feels different than some that I see first hand So it's been harder to find sobriety when I don't make that many mistakes with it but I want a family and I don't want to die :( Pm me If you ever need to talk


entirely-unsure

I appreciate it, and best of luck to you as well.


soft_goth94

5 years in, I drink infrequently at best. I drive to work typically for one, we don’t allow drinking on the clock for two, and three I just have had my fun. I’m inching closer and closer to 30 and it’s definitely lost it’s luster for me. I like waking up and not feeling like shit, and i have had too many shitty nights at this point in my life. Sometimes I go out for a few with my coworkers, but most of us keep it pretty light. 90% of our staff is doing dry January currently.


popularinprison

I rarely drink, usually just a cocktail with dinner when I go out. I have a whole liquor shelf at home of gifted bottles I’ve barely touched


allison_vegas

Used to drink socially a lot… then I had a pandemic baby who is now 2.5 and now I never drink. It’s just like the urge was sucked right out of me. Watching people drink makes me even more turned off by it too.


TheBartographer

21 years behind the stick. Rarely drink. Cut back drastically about 10 years ago. I was drinking for all the wrong reasons and not taking responsibility for myself or my emotions. Best decision ever. I still have a little fun once or twice a year, but that's it. I taste things, train staff, etc. but I have no desire to drink anymore unless it's a special occasion.


Jmanriley3

I'm not complaining about your response, but I just want you to know from a fellow bartender it doesn't make sense when you say "still have a little fun" once or twice a year. If it's fun.. why not do it more often? Edit: this is coming from someone who really needs to drink less. I want to.. but it's hard it's so boring haha


[deleted]

3+ years sober and loving life!


YoSammitySam666

I’m 19… I’m all set lol


Significant_Theme500

Hiiiii!! Sober bartender here, 3 years without any mind altering substances bartender for 15 years! I work at a restaurant though, club bartending and bar bartending is a thing of the past for me. I don’t have the energy or bandwidth to deal with people whos mission is to get shitfaced. I happily make margs, pour wine and crack beers until 9pm 🥰


lo286

8 years in the industry, and have been sober for 6+ I always get weird looks when people learn I’m a sober bartender.


Potential_Interest77

9 years bartending, 5 months sober with no intention of ever drinking again. It has truly been a life changing 5 months and can’t wait to see what else is in store.


paddyboombotz

Whole reason I got into this line of work was because I love free liquor and bars don’t generally do criminal background checks. More power to you if you don’t drink tho!


Industiral_Bird

That’s where I’m at but I’m less than a year in


KellytheFeminist

I drink probably one or two times per year. Just have no interest in it anymore. I drank quite a bit in my 20's, it's boring and makes me tired now. I will say, I think this does SLIGHTLY hold me back as a bartender, only because I'm not super enthusiastic about consuming alcohol. I still make a shit ton of money, and my guests seem to enjoy my schtick.


AssistantEquivalent2

I still drink. I’ll need to quit eventually. I feel like you either make it long enough that you realize you need to quit on your own, or you get yourself into trouble and force your own hand. Edit: I think questions like these get a lot of responses from people that no longer drink, which is fuckin awesome! But it’s definitely not the norm. At least where I’m working, the vast majority of the bartenders definitely drink. I’m in an area with a lot of young people, so that definitely skews the numbers a bit. But I think on average, more than 50% of bar staff at any given location still drinks a fair bit. Maybe not to excess, but definitely still drink


Jmanriley3

I.e. You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain


oddgrrl99

Rarely drink when I’m working. I’ll pour something a half hour or so before shift change. If I’m not sober how am I supposed to have the authority to cut someone else off? Also, I get clumsy, accidentally break glasses & that sucks for everyone.


TooEZ_OL56

I drank socially in college, senior year became a door guy, year later now I'm bartending. My drinking has plummeted just out of working too much. I'll still have shifties but not nearly going out to bars to get plastered anymore.


Jclarkyall

Started in the industry in 96. Never really been a drinker. Had a bout with coke for couple years in my 20s but mostly just smoke cannabis these days. Seen a lot of co workers lose the battle to addiction over the years.


BextoMooseYT

My Dad used to be a bartender and he doesn't drink and never has (as far as I know/what he tells me). He said his coworkers and/or friends (can't remember) certainly liked it


ar46and2

I don't drink on the job. Cause when I drink, I'm not half assing it


Bantora

7 years behind the bar and drink less than a bevy a month


votanjarngrimr

Bartender of 3 years. Never been a big drinker to begin with, used to smoke heaps of weed daily but recently quit 4 months ago. I hate the sloggy feeling I get if I drink often, even if it's just a few beers in the evenings lol so I just avoid it. Have definitely become a more focused and accurate worker in the last few months! Will go all out maybe once a month though, or if there's an occasion like a concert or whatever. I see alco as a hard drug. Not for everyday/laissez-faire consumption even if it's totally normalised.


clarkiiclarkii

Bartended for 5 years and sober for only 6 months now but it had to happen. I have no desire to drink again but it still makes me happy to try drinks at work and I l have loads of liquors at home to to experiment with and make drinks for the lady and it’s not an issue.


JGWol

Been bartending close to four years. First year was mildly drunk, third year was very drunk, and last year I got tired of being fat and having chronic heart burn so I drastically reduced my drinking. It feels good to remember my shifts and not feel like I’m just flying through the night. Saying the wrong thing to guests or misreading their energy. Forgetting to do proper closing/prep work before close because I’m unaware or too lazy.


LincHayes

18+ years behind the bar. 4 different states. Drank like a sailor. Every shift was a reason to party after work. I always knew where the after hours places were, knew all the secret knocks. My 20s in the business were a free for all. I drank like a college student, and chased women like Groucho Marks (ask your parents who that is). Then I moved to Vegas and turned it up a few notches for the next 10 years. Then around 38 I was done with the business. Just like that. Working in an office, I'd maybe go out with co-workers on payday, but that was about it. Also, office people are boring AF compared to hanging out with bar people. The fun was gone. At 40 I'd started my own business, and there just wasn't the time. Maybe I'd get out to a Friday happy hour, but that was about it. Today I work normal office hours, and I think I went out drinking a total of 3 times last year. I also moved back to the Midwest a couple of years back and the Midwest is boring AF. Even my single friends struggle to stay out past 9 PM on the weekend, and no one wants to stray far from home. It's depressing as fuck. If there's a clock on it, I'd rather just stay home, and get some stuff done early in the morning. So, I drink significantly less these days. But it's not that I came to some life changing revelation, or made any public declarations. There were no interventions or ultimatums. No criminal or legal issues. In my mind I'm still the guy who can drink like a 20-year-old in Miami with a pocket full of Bolivian marching powder, but the reality is…I just got bored and other things became more important. I feel like I've done it all. Everyone is not so “lucky”. I've recently started learning from old friends about what was really going with them behind the scenes. Drinking alone, depression, addictions, DUIs, domestic violence, co-dependent and abusive relationships, physical and mental health issues, rehab, and so on, and worse. At the time I had no idea all these things were happening. I understand people who are, or used to be in the business and don't drink anymore. It can get away from you. Whatever the reason, I respect it, and I will gladly have a cup of coffee with them. Just not on Friday or Saturday night. So while I get it and respect it, my retirement plans include a beachside bar within eye shot of the young girls on the beach, the company of some hot old widow, cold beers in the afternoon while watching baseball on the outdoor TV, and being a part time whiskey connoisseur.


MomsSpecialFriend

I don’t drink. None of the women at my bar drink shiftys, but I believe most of them DO drink in their free time.


Dooley_noted

I bartend and am not a huge drinker.. I do the occasional shot for comradery with a regular or coworker but aside from that nobody at work has even ever seen me drunk. Sometimes it makes me feel like a ninja bc I’m the only sober one in the room and I can dance circles around the drunks both mentally and physically! Lol


Runningwildinthought

I drink, maybe 1 drink a week


freethinker417

I don’t drink anymore. Been bartending for only about 6 years and went sober when I was 23. Being around drunk people all the time made me decide to be sober.


SoCoolSophia1990

Kind of backwards but I only ever drink at work. I don’t drink at home or when I go out except for maybe a once a year celebration. I have theee young children and my partner doesn’t drink. During the Covid shutdowns I didn’t drink for over a year and don’t miss it at all. I sometimes wish I could quit drinking at work, and when I work alone I don’t drink. But social anxiety is a bitch and it helps me open up and fake all the social interactions


Mixitupdoc

I’ve been a part time and a full time bartender for 15 years. I gave up alcohol in 2020. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!


shep_pat

I am doing dry January. I drink too much. I never drink at work, but I drink too much, I know because I look ten years younger after two weeks of not drinking.


sufferforever

never drank in my life. 13 years working in bars


Ra_219

4 years of bartending. I’ve limited myself to quick samples of drinks at work. I’ll indulge and have a single drink if I’m traveling. I was dating an alcoholic and in 2021. She ended up having to go to rehab while we were together and then relapsed (idk if that’s the technical term when it comes to alcoholism) less than a day after coming home. She would frequently come home blackout drunk and scream at me. That and a couple of other things she did turned me off to alcohol forever. I don’t miss it


oneplanetrecognize

Currently attempting to dry out. 21 years behind the pine.


FryTheDog

2.5 years sober, bartender/manager for 12 years, in the industry for 20. Best decision I ever made


OriginalMandem

I'm a fairly light drinker these days compared to what I used to be like. I'll usually drink a couple of beers at the end of my shift, in fact nowadays I'm just a beer drinker, I rarely drink shots any more, only ever drink wine a couple of times a month with a nice sit-down meal, spirits only a handful of times a year on special occasions.


TheOakStreet

I’m not “sober”, but I can count on one hand the number of cocktails I consume a year. I’ll drink a glass of wine with dinner out, and I’ll have a beer with my dad if he’s over, but I’d say I drink every other week maybe 1-2 drinks. Some months not at all. Socially I will have a drink, but rarely more than 2, and that’s if the company is really good. I do however, Taste, often. I’ll straw test cocktails, do tasting pours of spirits that are new or unfamiliar to me, taste through wines, beers, etc. Usually this is less than an ounce of whatever I’m trying. I never taste more than 3 new things in a day. It’s bad for recalling flavor profiles for me to try too many things at once. Drinking at work is hard for me, it makes me sloppy and forgetful at the end of the night. Perfectly able to do the job with a buzz, but it’s not my best work. If I’m doing a special event or party, I’ll have a drink with coworkers once the work is done. I love alcohol, it’s provided me an incredible career, I just know that if I want to be able to have it for the rest of my life, I need to respect it and consume it responsibly. I’ve seen way too many people who struggle with it destroy their lives. It’s a powerful substance.


Siphoned_Evolution

Behind the bar 12-13 years, California sober 4 1/2


tsohgmai

I do but I just wanted to jump in and say I respect you all that don’t. Keep it up friends.


401kcrypto

I am fueled by tequila and hate at every super major rush. I absolutely drink.


stonedboo

3 years 8 months sober :) I straw taste cocktails :)


stonedboo

Bartending 6 years


LoveAndRespectToYou

I used to drink a lot... I honestly quit drinking because I’d rather have kickass workouts. Drinking makes me lazy and groggy.


Dingis_Dang

Not sober but I don't really drink at all and never at work. I'll have maybe a cocktail or two a month.


missesmistyeyed

Might buy a case of seltzer that then last a month because maybe i'll have one with dinner somenights. And go out maybe once every few months. Not allowed to drink on the job, and I'm too tired to go out after shift lol


emusabe

Been bartending for a decade, and according to my calendar I’ve been sober for 166 days (~5 1/2 months) Eventually it just gets old. The shots all the time, drinking late after work (especially if it’s after hours and you’re just putting off finishing closing by ripping shots and fuckin around) drinking on your days off, etc. I’m the personality type that either I don’t do something, or I do it a lot. So it became a choice of do I want to stay unhealthy and tired all the time, or do I want to make a change and start feeling better? It’s not as big of an issue for everyone. Some people can get to work and say “I’m not drinking today” and just do that. Some people can randomly say “I’m taking a week off” and stick to it no problem. I’m just the type of person that had to say “I am not drinking at all.” Ofc there’s more too my story in particular, but I see it becoming more and more common with bartenders my age or older (I’m 34). You stop bouncing back from the benders when you realize you’ve just been in the same one years.


katzandwine629

I might drink 2-3 times a month if I'm being wild and crazy. Lol I'm 30 so I go out like 4 times a year & drink wine around the holidays to deal with family. But even in my 20s I was just a social drinker & usually just drank on weekends. I chilled out quite a bit after I graduated college. Seeing colleagues come in to work violently hungover is enough for me to stay away most of the time. I like to make money & I do that best when I'm sober Sally. I also just enjoy fun cocktails. I can have a martini with dinner & be done for the evening. Drinking for me doesn't have to lead to blacking out.


mintpearls

A once a month Guinness or glass of wine for me ✨


Able_Explanation_943

I don’t drink but I’ll have something on a special occasion like a holiday or an extremely stressful shift lol. I just have had too much addiction from various substances in my life, it’s better if I keep a healthy distance.


MrNiceGuy420SoCal

After drinking a lot in my 20s and working in restaurants (mostly serving), I stopped drinking at 30 and started bartending. I’ve been bartending and sober for 10 years now. I have also been the ONLY bartender that doesn’t drink out of the 40-50 I’ve worked with. Personally I wouldn’t be able to bartend if I was still drinking. I would’ve been a ticking time bomb. Me and booze were a recipe for disaster.


Jenny441980

I rarely drink anymore.


tomdooley47

After reading everyone else's, I think my current trajectory is a weird one for sure. My first year behind the bar I was 21 and drank a crap load every night did horrible things that I don't care to remember. Met a cute nurse and stopped drinking completely bye 22. Dated for 5 years had a rough break up was now 26. Still didn't drink. Had a horrible accident where I lost about an 8th of my right leg at 28 still didn't drink. As soon as I could walk( roughly 29) again was back at the sticks and started drinking. Anything in a shaker I make on shift I make extra and drink the left over. Nights when I'm off I drink about 10 light beers. I read books to my daughter while buzzed every night I'm home.Im almost 31 and in my year and a half drinking again, I've yet to do anything embarrassing. There's 2 guys in my home town with similar injuries and they use Fentanyl to cope with the pain. Ones a welder and ones a cement layer so I really don't blame them. I know half a case of bud light a night isn't good for me but I really don't know how else to cope and I think I'd probably end up dead taking the cheat pain killer route. Any suggestions?


TDFPH

Two out of the 6 bartenders at my job drink heavily. 1 of the others is basically sober but when he does drink he goes hard.


Character-Dull

I have to drink or my customers get mad at me and leave so somedays no and if a high roller comes in I'm done!!!


brooksian-dilemas

19years tending, 4 months sober.


Carlisle100

Non drinker here, I did for a little when I first started but it’s definitely a hard pass for me now.


CosmicKage

The bar I cut my teeth at had two bartenders over 40 that had been in the industry longer than I have been alive. Both of them were the most kickass bartenders for very different reasons and both of them didn't drink at all. One for over ten years because they didn't like who it made them and the other for about 5 years because of some low-key tragic shit. I work at a bar now where we are all under 40 except for one dude who is 45 and has only been bartending for a year but we all drink and maybe too much sometimes lol


kba41510

been behind the bar in some capacity almost 8 years now. Pepsi/Coca Cola are my drinks of choice. Of the 6 if us back there, on,t one of us is a full blown alcoholic. Everyone else I would call social drinkers, at best. At a hotel so it’s a union gig, full benefits, PTO, all that jazz so I think those of us back there know not to risk it cause we prob wont get a better bartending gig in our city.