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Thread: fighting alcoholism and still working

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    Member domino0716's Avatar
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    Default fighting alcoholism and still working

    I mostly worked drunk, In AA now. But still have to work. I have a terrible time getting started Sober! Hadr dealing with the emotions that alcohol had supperesed. I cry get mad call my sponser Helps some. It's lonley. I have to go to work now. I'm sared! 9 days sober 7 working

    Please! any help, advise, stripper sponser? :'(

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    Veteran Member Kittie's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    I've never had a problem with alcohol myself, but I did get pretty heavy into drugs several years ago. The best advice I can give you is to think about the times when you drank the most in the past and the times now that you're sober when you want to drink the most. Figure out what it is in your life that triggers the urge for you. And then find something to take the place of alcohol. Anything at all; it doesn't matter what it is. You could go to meetings when you feel the urge. Or you could try learning something new like origami or knitting that will keep your hands busy. I know it sounds stupid, but if your hands are busy folding paper or holding the knitting needles then they won't be available to hold a drink.

    At work just try to sell as many dances as you can. It's the same principle as before. If you're busy giving dances then you won't have the time to drink. When you're not giving a dance try to always be sitting with a customer. And let the bartender or waitress know that under no circumstances are they to serve you an alcoholic drink.

    Breaking an addiction to anything is never easy. If you had a big problem with drinking before, then you are probably going to have it hard for quite awhile. Just don't give up. Tell yourself that you're worth it. Look in the mirror everyday and think of one thing that you like about yourself. Anything. Like, say you're proud that you can bake a really good cake. Or that you have a good smile. Or that you are a good zamboni driver......whatever. Remind yourself that you're a good person, a strong person. Tell yourself that you can do it.

    I promise that it will get worse before it gets better.......but it WILL get better. I promise you that.

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    Featured Member Crystal_eyes's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    I used to drink alot and I dont know if its gonna work for you but for me just thinking about how bad I felt the day after was keeping me away from drinking but that was my main reason for stopping ! Good luck sweetie

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    God/dess kryssy's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    Best of luck to you girl. I have known many dancers that have went through this. It is hard to stop when it is right there. Try to keep your mind off of the drinking and on making money.

    I don't know if it would help you, but it did help one girl that I worked with. She would buy the non-alcholic beer and drink that. Men would think that she was drinking so they would not be asking to buy her a drink all the time. She would pour it out of the bottle and into a beer glass.

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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    Alcoholics should definitely stay away from drinking nonalcoholic beer. Bad idea.

    Go to meetings, ask for help, do what you have to do to stay sober. And the advice about remembering how bad it made you feel is really good. It is possible to work in this business after quitting drinking.

    Congratulations to you on making the big step of getting sober and finding help. That is a major accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself.

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    Member domino0716's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    Thanks for all your help grils. still sober!!! 12 days 10 working. Had a couple of bad days, yesterday was not so bad. Made good $ for the first time sober. When I'm donig the lap dances I am accualy pulling more $ per trick than before. I'm thinking! who'd a guessed.

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    Senior Member rkcrox's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    I don't know where you're located, but here we have "juice bars", maybe that would help a little. I used to drink my entire shift when I didnt have to drive. I have alcoholism in every one of my genes, so it's a constant battle for me as well. I'm here if you need to chat!
    RKC ROX!




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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    I've worked in both juice bars and regular topless bars. Honestly, when I started dancing, I refused to get onstage until I had tipped a few back. Bad mistake. I thought I couldn't dance without the liquid courage... I wound out missing out on money and making stupid mistakes because I was too busy drinking. Finally, I made a move to a juice bar, where you had no choice but to stay sober. I realized it wasn't so bad just drinking water or soda, and without all the extra calories from alcohol, I could get quite a workout while dancing!

    I'm back at a regular bar now, and I simply choose not to indulge most of the time. We have to sell drink tickets so sometimes I'll go straight to the bar and tell them 'no alcohol' so I won't be tempted when I'm offered a drink. I don't think there's anything wrong with drinking on the job once and a while, but the line is very easy to cross in our work environment. My advice to you is to keep your chin up, go one day at a time, and if neccesary, change clubs. If you need to talk, you can pm me anytime. I know it can be tough to stay sober when you're surrounded by partiers, and it loosens inhibitions, but it's possible.


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    Featured Member polecat's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    Quote Originally Posted by domino0716 link=board=27;threadid=13257;start=msg174351#msg17 4351 date=1095050702
    Thanks for all your help grils. still sober!!! 12 days 10 working.
    Woo hoo Domino! You rock! You go, girl.

    Keep up the good work, day by day. It'll get better.

    Addictions are tough things to kick out of our lives, especially if we use them as a dampener for emotions, problems or issues. Once they are gone, we have to actually feel versus drown or numb our feelings. This is what leads to those 'bad days'...

    But you know what? That whole process makes it much, much worse. As I'm sure you're probably already feeling- with each thing you truly experience and suffer through, it's finally gone and has closure... rather than temporarily drowned and to come back and bite you again at a later date... usually amplified with the current crisis of the day as well. I'm sure your better earnings are attributed to getting more closure and actually dealing with life's little struggles versus burying them. You'll start feeling MUCH better as time progresses and you will see the difference.

    Hang in there domino! Keep it up!
    It doesn't matter if you're somebody in this world, it rather matters you mean the whole world to somebody.

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    Member domino0716's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    I believe for me stop dancing or changing clubs is not the answer for me to stay sober. To me that would be avoiding the problem. I feel I must stay and fight, face each obstical, emotion feeling. I would feel like a loser forever if I ran away.

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    God/dess montythegeek's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    Domino,
    Been there, but I did not have to be around alcohol at 12 days. I do not have long, because I am about out the door on the way to a meeting.

    Try seeing if you can find a meeting right before you go into work, even if it is only for 20 minutes or so and you have to leave early. Consider it a booster shot. Talk to people so you are feeling strong when you go into work.

    Consider (your call) telling the bartender not to serve you anything with alcohol no matter what. Just keep telling yourself you do not want to go back there.

    Good luck, off to the rarified air of church basement.

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    Senior Member celeste_63's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    I know how you feel! I quit smoking weed when I was 19, quit drinking 6 months later after I got alcohol poisoning for the 5th time, and now I just got out of the hospital after overdosing on Ecstasy and coke (I'm 22). I don't think people believe me when I tell them I am trying to quit (especially the coke), but I feel every day clean is a little victory. God I want to take lines ALL THE TIME and since the majority of my "friends" are dealers I know it is available whenever I want it.

    Anyway I have been clean since Wednesday, almost a week. Actually for me work is incentive not to do drugs, because I know I can't work high. Whenever I am clean I pretty much become a workaholic. I am getting addicted to the money instead...

    My heart goes out to you...we are not alone.
    "When I squinted the world seemed rose-tinted and angels appeared to descend; to my surprise with half-closed eyes things looked even better than when they were opened!"

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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    I do not drink so I cannot relate to those temptations in the club. However, at one point I was very addicted to cigarettes and had the hardest time quitting because I would go to work and the atmosphere and other girls who are smokers make it REALLY hard for me to stop. Eventually I started to cut down and made daily goals of my expectations. Each day, week, and then month I did not smoke, I rewarded myself with new clothes, going to dinner, or other incentives. I also told the other dancers at work I was trying to quit and asked them to be supportive by encouraging me and not giving me cigarettes even if I begged~~!!! I know alcoholism is a disease, and you may have lapses and fall back into bad habits. But by having a sponsor and working on your problem you are already helping yourself. Keep strong and keep intouch with your sponsor. You WILL do it.

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    Veteran Member alexisgold97's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    One thing that helped me when i was freshly clean was going into the bathroom to pray/meditate. just being quiet away from everyone. I was working in an office at this time. andso it dosen't seem like I'm contradicting myself in any other post, past or future ; I've been in and out off AA for several years, decided to go out and experiment a little more, and found that my addiction was with opiates, not alcohol. I pretty much knew this all along, but it was AA that i was first introduced to and where i felt most comfortable. I had been physicaly addicted to alcohol at a point in time in my late teens early twenties, but don't consider this as a qualification. At this point I can take it or leave it.

    Anyway, try locking yourself in a stall away from everyone and try and find some peace inside. I had todo this several times a day at one point. Do what ever it is you you need to do. Put your sobriety first.
    And congrats, any length of time is a miracle!
    Wellspring of energy
    Rises in the body's core
    Tap it and be sustained.
    Channel, and it will speak.

    from 365 Tao



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    God/dess VADEN's Avatar
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    Default Re:fighting alcoholism and still working

    Good-luck to you sweet heart... I have never had that problem and I don't think I ever will. As Crystal Eyes stated, I try to remind myself about the way I will feel the next morning and I don't want to feel that way. When I'm at work and if I am going to drink that night.. I set rules for myself, such as, I don't drink past midnight, therefore if I have a buzz, it's gone by the time I have to leave. I will not have more than 3 drinks/shots.. Or I will drink a bottle of water with every drink I have..This works well for me and others know of my rules for myself so they are always on the look-out..



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    Senior Member MADAM LIZZ's Avatar
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    Default Re: fighting alcoholism and still working

    ( domino 0716) im very proud of you for staying sober & clean...just dont give up. its a long term thing, i know you have the will power in you...i wish you the best things in the world huney..........good luck,huggs-kisses & god bless you...

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    Default Re: fighting alcoholism and still working

    Everybody's journey is different. I found myself in an abusive relationship which caused me to drink to numb the pain.

    I tried AA but couldn't deal with the extreme attitudes in the meetings I went to.

    Eventually, I found ways to enjoy life again and focused all of my attention on those. I mostly drink responsibly now but still get out of hand from time to time. I liken it to losing weight - focus on the long term goal and the now - and be easy on yourself.

    Congratulations on 12 days!


    "Life is not about the number of breaths you take.
    It's about those moments which leave you breathless."

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    Featured Member tootsie's Avatar
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    Default Re: fighting alcoholism and still working

    i know what you are going through! it is very hard for me to stay sober at work, i was drinking everyday at work, now i have really slowed it down. just smoke a lot.

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    Veteran Member candie00's Avatar
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    Default Re: fighting alcoholism and still working

    Good luck!! I REALLY hope You can beat it! Because My dad's stupid bitch fiance (shes not a bitch because of alcoholic, Shes a bitch anyways) is an alcohol BIG TIME. She's had 2 securzers (Sp?) And still won't quit! Shes got it bad! I'm very proud of You for going this long and not drinking. You'r an insparation Keep it up! ....

  20. #20
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    Default Re: fighting alcoholism and still working

    Domino,

    Congrats on the 12 (?) days. Stretch that to a month, then two months, and so on and so on. One excellent idea: Replace self-defeating and self-destructive behavors with positive ones, including a healthy diet and, above all, exercise.

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    Veteran Member Jo Weldon's Avatar
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    Default Re: fighting alcoholism and still working

    I was a super duper obnoxious, suicidal, homicidal, screaming, crying, fighting, whining, depressed drunk back in the day (early 80s). I then went on to work in clubs for ten more years without a drink and my money actually improved (along with my physical and mental health, although I've always remained a bit of a drama queen), but only over time.

    I'm in AA. I'm not pure of heart, and I have days when I think AA is the stupidest thing ever, but in the long run one thing always holds true for me, and it's that if I stick with AA, I don't drink, and if I don't stick with AA, I do drink, and that never works out well for me or the people around me. For me, almost all of my memories of being drunk, even the funny ones, are just plain embarassing.
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