Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hatcher]

My co-worker is an alcoholic but he denies it. He goes out several nights a week and comes in the next day with little recognition of what happened.
He usually gets into some type of trouble. When we suggest that drinking maybe be a problem, he goes nuts. He comes up with the craziest excuses as to why something happened. He sometimes gets violent and, of course, blames the other person. He blames everything and everyone except for soju.
He is extremely defensive and any discussion of alcohol is a rough one.
Any thoughts?

[nukeday]

is it really your problem? If he's performing his job well...then just keep the relationship professional and let him do his destructive thing. If he isn't, then it's management's problem.

[Kaypea]

Yes, nobody can really convince somebody he has a problem with alcohol, it's something that must be realized by the drinker him/herself. It's good to let him know that you think something's not right with his drinking, because at least if he decides to examine his behaviour later, probably after getting into some kind of big trouble, at least he'll know that his drinking at this time was troubling to others.

But, you guys have already let him know what you think. When he complains about other people treating him badly while he drinks, "uh huh" and dismiss him. Also, don't drink with him, and don't cover up for him or enable his drinking. Lastly, look at your own behaviour: try not to centre too many activities around drinking.

[Louis VI]

Sounds like it's the op that has a PROBLEM with the guy who drinks a lot of alcohol.

Labelling the guy is judgemental and beside the point: you don't give a flying fig about his personal situation and whether he's better off drinking less alcohol or not. Either you are an interfering moral twit or else an annoyed co-worker projecting reasons why you don't like his behaviour in the workplace. In either case, stop it. What he does on his own time is his own business and anyone who isn't his family or close friend ought to shut their trap about it.

[eamo]

[grant_steves]

[oldfatfarang]

I've worked with alcoholics, had one work for me, and had an alcoholic neighbor (probably the kindest man I'll ever meet). All these guys were employed and 'functioning alcoholics' (not the stereotypical homeless bum people see on the streets).

OP> You'll know when your co-worker is really an alcoholic because it will affect you. It will be your business, because they won't be able to do their job, and their work/personal relationship problems (from drinking) will negatively impact on you.

So if your co-worker is a functioning alcoholic - you might feel you need to have a word to him about his 'excessive' drinking. However, he would be within his rights to tell you to ...............................

In contrast, if his drinking is causing problems and he isn't 'functioning' (at work/socially), then I'd be telling him that I won't be covering his butt (for anything, in any circumstances).

Know this, alcoholics are addicts. They lie, can steal, and once their addiction gets out of hand, their work performance and personal relationships cause problems for those around them.

Good luck.

[rusty1983]

[Epik_Teacher]

[Kaypea]

[cj1976]

At least with alkies, they're willing to buy you a beer or two. You should hang with this guy some time, and loosen up. Sounds like you need it..

[Globutron]

I bet this is one of those 6th sense scenarios where it turns out the OP was the alcoholic all along.