My boss used to be an alcoholic. That’s great for him that he quit and everything, but I thought the point of AA was that you didn’t talk about being in AA? He asks me to check the meeting schedule for the closest AA group and schedule them on his calendar the way I schedule client lunches. So weird, but I guess technically part of my job. Thing is, he also has these AA friends (OK, I don’t know for sure that they’re AA friends, but they just say their first names, no last names) who I have to put through ANYTIME they call, even if he’s in some big important meeting with the board members. I’m starting to wonder if AA is actually just a cover for being in the mob.
So me dealing with his AA stuff is kind of weird, but not a pain. What’s really messed up is that anytime something goes wrong in the office, he accuses me of being an alcoholic. If I look tired in the morning he flat out asks me if was up late drinking. One–it is so not cool (or legal!) to ask me that! Two– even if I was, is it your business as long as I’m doing my work? I talked to my friend about it and she thinks he wants to sponsor me for AA. –Submitted By “Not Drunk,” Washington, DC
Until you understand what an alcoholic really goes thru I would suggest you try to understand it first. At one point in time, if your company found out you belonged to AA people treated you differently. It has come along way. That is his way of staying safe and sober. When they say be discreet, that means in the meetings, it is your choice if you want people to know you or not or if you go to meetings, and the friends that are calling him with only the first names are AA members, and they need to talk sp they don’t drink. Alcholism is a very deadly disease to have. You should count your blessing as I do that I am not one, but someone who is has a very hard road ahead of them. An alchohoic is a person who is allergic to anytype of drink or drug. If they take on drink they are on the road to disaster. How do I know this, my aunt and a very good friend of mine is one. My aunt died because of it, but my friend received help. I do agree that he does has not right asking you that question about drinking for being tired. However, give the man some slack without AA his life would be a disaster. So look on it on the positive side, with him getting help he is a much better person and more understanding. I know it is not your job to know this or help find meetings for him, but please, help, for I live with a recovering Alcholic and when they are freed from their past and start a new without alcohol they are the most loving people around. Be patient, I do know it is hard, I am an administrative assistant, but my problem is that most of the people I work are alchoholics who don’t think so, and their personalities suck. It isn’t easy being an assistant. Hang in there.
Response to Patty: I used to be a smoker, I used an online support group to help me and in no way did I use that to interfere with my co workers work time. As for being sensitive to this nature, she didn’t ask to hold his hand. And she wasn’t hired for it. I think that’s pretty selfish of you to ask this person to be sensitive to someone who is blatantly out right obnoxious about his personal life. And by reading this persons tyrade, it seems his choice to be obnoxious about it is obvious. Like I said, this person was hired to work, not hold the hand of an idiot. And your advice btw isn’t the best. What I suggest that she stand up for herself and tell him in a calm and collect manner that when he asks her questions about her personal life, that he don’t. Its none of his business and it is harassment if he should continue after she has told him to stop. Patty what your suggesting is one something incredibly ignorant. This person doesn’t care about your aunt. So don’t bore us with useless tidbits of your personal life. This person gets enough of it at their place of employment.