OK, my drunk secretary just had an "accident"

[Poochy]

RE: OK, my drunk secretary just had an

{{{ shaking head }}}

Your drunk secretary threads sad and disturbing as they are crack me up .. this lady is totatlly "gone" ...

IA w/Shelly .. to knock over a filing cabinet?? WTH???

I just feel for you .. working in politics is hard enough .. then you add this totatlly insane scenerio to it .. I can't imagine what your day must be like!! I thought I had it bad (collections, bankruptcies, and small claims) ... LOL!! You have the work scenerio from H#LL ...

My only opinions on this is
#1 - you are not responsible for this woman nor an intervention
#2 - I would keep documentation just to C.Y.A. ..
#3 - I would attempt ONE MORE TIME to PLEAD with my boss to arrange some sort of test for her .. or to have HIM talk w/her in very plain language about the precarious situation she is placing HIM in ..
#4 - PRAY that the elections go the way you want them!

.. Look up "between a rock and a hard place" and there will be LauraMax's picture .. bless your heart!!

 

[janiejoey]

RE: OK, my drunk secretary just had an

Luara,

I can't imagine being in your situation.

How awful!

I hope with all my heart that everyone will have a happy ending. Please keep us informed on this horrendous situation. Know I am thinking good thoughts your way.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible.

http://www.picturetrail.com/janiejoey

 

[diane57]

RE: OK, my drunk secretary just had an

Janie, I just wanted to say that I completely agree with you, and your response was very compassionate. Both my parents were alcoholics and I have several friends who are recovering addicts and/or alcoholics. What they have all told me, and have demonstrated through their actions, and what I have read in every single biography or other account of addiction, is that sober people do have a choice about whether to drink or use drugs, but people who are already addicted to a substance, and are drowning in the depths of it, have very little "choice" about whether to continue drinking or using - once the addiction takes hold, their brain chemistry takes over and makes its own decisions. At that point, if there is "choice" involved, it's maybe like the choice we would have if we were sick in bed with pneumonia or food poisoning, at our very weakest. We could "choose" to ignore our symptoms and jump out of bed and run a marathon, but that choice seems impossible based on how horrible we feel - our bodies are screaming at us not to move a muscle, and every movement is excrutiating. I truly believe that addicts are equally powerless over their addictions unless they enter treatment.

Having said that, though, I wonder if it is the poster's role to step in. She might be the person who saves this addict's life, but it is also true that she might jeopardize her own career in the process. I think if it was me, I would do nothing, but someone who did step in and try to arrange an intervention would really be a hero. I just don't think I would be heroic myself!

 

[LauraMax]

RE: OK, my drunk secretary just had an

I am definitely not that courageous. The very idea of moving back in with my dad is a bit too freaky for me.

 

[candi]

RE: OK, my drunk secretary just had an

Diane,

If an addict has no choice, why are there recovering addicts? The recovering addict had to make the choice for treatment, thereby choosing not to remain an addict.

I admit I don't have any compassion for addicts but I have a whole hell of a lot of compassion, admiration and respect for those who have recovered.

Addicts suck the life out of themselves, people who care about them and people who are forced to deal with them. Case in point, what Laura is going through.

I was married to an addict for 21 years and my daughter and I still have scars for what we endured. My grandfather and father were also alcoholics.

 

[fitme2006]

RE: OK, my drunk secretary just had an

The only thing I would point out to those who have dealt with a loved one who is an addict is this:

It is a completely different situation to try and intervene with someone who is an employee or coworker.

If you have ever been through an intervention with a loved one then you know how absolutely awful it is.

I do not think it is Laura's place to solve this problem. It is her boss' and as he has stated he refuses to do anything.

I am surprised that as a city worker the city would not require a drug or alcohol screen for someone hurt on the job. I work in construction and it is mandatory that it be passed in order to return to work.

Laura, I wish you the best.

 

[HipChick]

RE: OK, my drunk secretary just had an

Lauramax,

There is not much advice I can offer that hasn't already been given so I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that you have to deal with this situation. It's terrible that you've been put in this position at work & I also feel bad that she has sunk to such a low point in her own life. Like Janie & others have said, I hope she gets the help she needs for her own sake. I'll be thinking of you & I hope everything turns out okay for all involved.

Take care,
Kel