Enabling An Alcoholic..

[Eleena]

There's someone in work we sit with, obviously drinking . I thought I was imagining the change in them, but two other workers have noticed too. Just read this link. One of us have had a quiet word, of course it hasn't changed a thing. The link is interesting how all of us regardless of how we are connected, can 'facilitate' an alcoholic unwittingly.

[Eleena]

...
https://www.verywellmind.com/denial-a-symptom-of-alcoholism-63296

[Eleena]

" We rush to put pillows under them ... consequently the alcoholic never finds out how it feels to fall"

[Eleena]

I'm off to work!

[anneasquith]

Very interesting Elena .

[EDDIE51]

Before an alcoholic can start treatment they have to admit they are an alcoholic. Denial is normal. Admitting to the problem is the largest single step towards getting help.

[woofgang]

I think there is a line here. if the person is a work colleague and nothing more then your responsibility is what goes on at work....and yes I think that covering for someone at work by lying is wrong whatever it is you are covering up. All that does is puts you in the same hole as the colleague. As for the article....all I will do is use Buenchico's handy phrase....another example of stating the bleeding obvious.

[Eleena]

Yes I know Eddie. I find it really interesting just how much in denial an alcoholic can be.

[woofgang]

why? denial is one of the commonest human strategies when dealing with stress.

[murraymints]

I would not get involved..say nowt..do nowt...

[Eleena]

woof, yes he's a work colleague. I haven't lied, I haven't been asked to verify if this person been drinking. I'm complicit in 'knowing' He is not my responsibility ( unless he becomes a risk to anyone in work) That's as far as I go. I feel this person will jeopardise their job all on their own with no help from me, his choice entirely.

[murraymints]

better to think plenty ..say nowt....work place disputes and discipline can get very personal and nasty...

[ummmm]

I'm with Minty, stay out of it. Sometimes addicts need to be the masters of their own downfalls before they address their issues.

[albaqwerty]

When I was about 19, I worked for a medium sized company.
The office staff each had their own responsibilities and some of them knew the boss's secretary was an alcoholic.
I didn't have a clue.
She made one giant mess of one of her responsibilities and the boss had had enough and carted her off personally.
That was when I found out.
I have no idea if he had taken her to a rehab facility.

If I had known, I would have kept schtumm.

[Eleena]

Ive no intention of getting in it ummmm ... this person is responsible for himself.

[ummmm]

I know. They are aware but as has been mentioned they need to get to a point themselves.

If it's mentioned it just puts more stress on the addict and they turn to drink.

I've known many alcoholics over the years. Most of them have a sad back story. There's something they're trying to block out.

[Eleena]

My brother is an alcoholic. For years I accepted his ways, until he crossed a line with my ageing mum. I have little if no sympathy whatever an alcoholics reasons. This denial thing fascinates me though, how much they convince themselves problems around them are nothing to do with them.

[Eleena]

alba, there are 'working' alcoholics in most places of work.