I need help.

General health and lifestyle
1

I am a teacher who got caught drinking  last night at prom. I stand to lose everything. I don't know what to do. 

2

Sorry leslie. Hope someone can give you practical or legal help.

I guess it depends who caught you and if they will report it. Get advice as soon as possible.

Hope it works out ok for you.

3

Oh heck, Leslie,  I don't know what the legal process might be.  You have to contact your Union Rep.   If you are not in a Union... I don't know.

There are very strict legal issues to address.

Retrospect is a tough teacher.

I know that you will wish that you had not "gone there".

Alonangel 🎇

4

What happened exactly ?? 

5

I have no idea what the consequences of this are, being UK based, this is probably one for one of the American based regulars.

6

I had one cocktail from the bar. My principal freaked, thought I was drunk and insisted on driving me home. I have contacted my union rep. I know I have royally screwed up my life for one drink. I need help to stop drinking and don't know where to start. I'm alone and ashamed 

7

I'm a little confused. Your first sentence says you had one drink, but at the end, you seem to suggest a drink problem.

For anyone to give you useful advice, you need to be honest with us.

8

Leslie -

Perhaps start by reading Joanna's article here on Patient:

https://patient.info/health/sinclair-method-for-alcohol-use-disorder

There certainly are other ways to approach the problem, but The Sinclair Method has an excellent success rate. It sounds like you may have a bit of fallout to deal with, so give the above article a look and see if you think it might be workable in your situation. If you have questions and would prefer to PM me, feel free.

9

I would say that you should get an appointment as quickly as possible to see somebody about your drink problem. Then you should assure your employer that you are seeking help for this problem. It may mean an involuntary period of sick time while you do but at least confessing will help them understand that you are aware of the issue and are looking to get it resolved.

I am assuming that, although it was only one drink at the prom, you had drunk more prior to that, hence the Principal thinking you were drunk.

I am a little confused why there is a bar serving alcoholic drinks at a prom if the students are too young to drink and the teachers are not allowed to, either.

10

I do have. Drinking problem.  Otherwise I wouldn't have been dumb enough to order a drink at a school function. I'm sorry if I wasn't clear.  I had spent the entire day helping my elderly dad and was craving a drink so bad I couldn't stand it.

11

It was at a country club and the kids were in another room. 

12

What are the side effects of those drugs?

13

It's peculiar to the person, some think they've taken a sugar pill, others have varying side effects that generally last for a few days on up to a couple of weeks. Do you drink every day? 

14

If this prom is in U.K., as many are now... it may have been held in a hotel.  Many pupils/students will be 18.

Teacher's decisions and discretions are another minefield.

15

Usually

16

Just to give you an example, I"m a daily drinker (30+ year habit) and prior TSM I was drinking about 84 standard US units per week. Over a 3 month period, I've dropped down to 17 units (as of the end of last week). In a month, I expect I'll be at "low risk" drinking levels. The eventual target is complete erasure of cravings, at which point I'll be able to choose to drink or not drink, just as anybody without Alcohol Use Disorder would be able to do. So far, it has taken little or no willpower to get to this point, I just stopped wanting to drink as much.  

17

In the UK, most schools have proms for the 16 year olds who could leave school if they choose to, or stay on into the sixth form. So alcohol is not normally a part of UK school proms (unless they sneak alcohol in, of course).

But this is in the US, where I think the kids are a little older for their prom, although the minimum age for drinking alcohol in the US is 21. That was why I asked

18

You are being honest Leslie and lots of good replies already since I am joining this chat late....legal advice is good but I am wondering why a harsh reaction after ONE drink. Tricky one but honesty is best and deep regret perhaps...will never do that again?? You do need help for certain and medical advice and then medication is perhaps the best.  Best of luck...Robin

19

I see.  My children had the prom at the end of Sixth Year.

I have heard of schools where proms were cancelled because of alcohol problems in previous years. 

Sadly, many under18s drink ... a lot.

Their Teachers have a great deal to contend with.

20

Thanks Robin. I am on paid leave today and trying to decide where to go from here. The strand has helped especially since I'm too upset to tel my friends.