Recovering addict working in food industry. Advice?

[alexvolume2]

I've been working in the food service industry as chef(technically speaking), sous-chef, etc..., for about 5 years. I am an addict of all sorts trying to keep my shit together and be 'sober-esque' while working, at the very least. Anymore I only use kratom regularly, and alcohol(which I'm trying to quit). I've been addicted to benzos, opiates including heroin, amphetamines and methamphetamines, alcohol, crack....etc. Due to this, as well as fucking up my degree(they go hand in hand), I've found a second chance as a skilled food worker. I enjoy the work, mostly. If I can't work with ideas I want to work with my hands in some form of art(I consider cooking an art/craft). HOWEVER, this industry is full of addicts/alcoholics. I still get high sometimes, but not like I used to. I require functionality in my existence these days. My boss and the chef I work with are alcoholics. I don't drink at work anymore, haven't for a long time. But at my job 2 people recently have been fired for alcohol related issues, and my chef is asking me to drink with him! He wants me to help him find a prostitute as well, or to get a waitress to have sex with him. My chef is a 60 + year old Punjabi Indian man. I'm not a fucking prude, but this is too much... I'm handling this situation as best as I can, but I need some advice (especially from cooks/food workers). What would you do?

 

[Black Rabbit of Inle]

I've worked in kitchens for 8+ years and I've seen every side of every addiction in my time, the majority of them being Head Chefs/Managers who are having to work 60+ hour weeks on salary.

Tell your boss straight up that you're in recovery and you won't be joining him for drinks. How he takes that news doesn't matter, you've told him and you don't have any obligation to say yes to his invites. If the environment is counterproductive to your sobriety then it might be time to look for another kitchen to work in (don't quit until you have another job to go to).

As for helping him get sex, just say no.

 

[neversickanymore]

Yeah.. I also worked in the business for a long time.. It is filled to the brim with addicts.. I have seen a few kitchens where the back of house crew was all cleaned up so you may want look around for this. What degree were you working on? cause I guess in reality you may need to explore other options for work.

Why not try and get the boss laid.. but I usually find that when people try and get someone else to get them laid they usually have no game at all and any effort to get them laid is usually a waste of time. I dont understand the whore part.. point him to craigs list or tell him what a call girl really does.

 

[alexvolume2]

I was working on a degree in Cultural Anthropology, but I dropped out and went to rehab in the end. My ultimate goal is to go back to school and probably teach/work in applied anthropology. I have to get out of default on my student loans first.

Yeah, he's going to have a difficult time since he's old and speaks almost no english. The idea of sourcing a whore for him makes me feel really skeezy. I know he's hard up, but quite frankly so am I since my ex and I broke up. Thanks for the replies, guys.

 

[shroomster]

Tell your boss straight up that you're in recovery and you won't be joining him for drinks. How he takes that news doesn't matter, you've told him and you don't have any obligation to say yes to his invites. If the environment is counterproductive to your sobriety then it might be time to look for another kitchen to work in (don't quit until you have another job to go to).

I'm a server, and agree it runs rampant in the restaurant industry. I disagree you should look elsewhere for a job, and I'll tell you why. You won't always be able to run away. Drugs will always be there, everywhere you go. Drugs are a ubiquitous appendage of society. In every career path, in every town, in every industry, there will always be addicts.

You should definitely outright tell your boss you are in recovery. If he's chill he'll stop asking.