How Can I Tell if Alcohol is Hindering My Career Success?

By Holly Wilson

The relationship between work and alcohol often seems inextricable in corporate culture. As someone who achieved their dream of becoming a VP of Marketing, I can tell you firsthand that alcohol was the invisible barrier holding me back from reaching my full potential for years.

My Wake-Up Call

Like many professionals, I used to believe that drinking was just part of corporate life. Happy hours, sales meetings, and industry conferences all revolved around alcohol. As an ambitious marketing director with my sights set on the VP level, I convinced myself that networking over drinks was essential for career advancement.

The reality? My relationship with work and alcohol was masking deeper insecurities. I used wine to ease social anxiety during networking events and relied on after-work drinks to "decompress" from challenging days. While I maintained a professional image, it is undeniable that alcohol was having a negative effect on work performance and keeping me from achieving my full potential.

The turning point came during COVID when work-from-home culture shifted my relationship with work and alcohol into dangerous territory. "Happy hour" wasn't just for Fridays anymore, binge watching "Friends" reruns with a bottle of wine was a nightly occurrence, and soon I was struggling just to drag myself out of bed for my 8:30 am team calls. Even though I was "functioning," I knew deep down that I was nowhere near performing at my best. Fortunately, it only took a couple months of this decline for me to recognize how detrimental alcohol had become to my work performance. I knew I needed help – not just for my career, but for my overall wellbeing.

The Hidden Career Costs

Looking back, I can now clearly see how the intersection of work and alcohol was impacting my professional growth. Like many business professionals, I feared I would be left out if I didn't drink, but the reality was much worse:

• Morning brain fog affected strategic thinking: Even if I limited myself to "just a couple" glasses of wine the night before, I noticed a significant difference in my ability to process complex information and make quick decisions during strategy meetings. Those crucial first hours of the workday, when many executives are at their sharpest, were often spent just trying to get my brain into gear.

• Slower response time in fast-paced situations: In marketing, you need to be ready to pivot strategies or handle crisis communications at a moment's notice. The mental sluggishness that came with regular drinking meant I was always a beat behind, reacting rather than proactively leading.

• Limited capacity for after-hours networking: While I showed up for mandatory evening events, I rarely had the energy or motivation to engage in the kind of sustained networking that builds strong professional relationships. I was too focused on managing my drinking to be truly present and make meaningful connections.

• Inconsistent energy levels: Leadership requires showing up consistently as your best self. The ups and downs of drinking created unpredictable energy levels that made it difficult to maintain the steady, reliable presence that teams need from their leaders.

• Reduced confidence in high-stakes situations: Even when I knew my stuff, the nagging worry about my delayed responses created self-doubt that undermined my executive presence.

The most insidious aspect of these career costs was how gradual and subtle they were. Like many professionals, I didn't realize just how much alcohol was holding me back until I stepped away from it. It's similar to trying to run a race with weights attached to your ankles – you can still run, but you'll never reach your full potential speed.

My Professional Health Transformation

When I decided to become alcohol-free in fall 2020, the change in my professional performance was dramatic. I noticed:

• Sharper strategic thinking

• Increased energy for taking on more challenging projects

• More authentic connections with colleagues

• Improved presentation skills

• Enhanced ability to handle stress

• Better work-life balance

Most importantly, I finally felt worthy of and prepared for executive leadership. Within the first year of being alcohol-free, I landed my dream role as VP of Marketing. The clarity and confidence I gained from sobriety were game-changers in both the interview process and my ability to excel in the position.

Fast forward three years and I did something I could never have fathomed when I was drinking: I found the courage to leap from corporate America to start my own business. Entrepreneurship requires incredible strength, passion, and perseverance – qualities that I simply couldn't have maintained while drinking. The clarity and energy I've gained in sobriety have been essential to tackling the challenges of running my own company. It's a path I never would have had the confidence to pursue in my drinking days.

Navigating Professional Work Life Alcohol-Free

One of the biggest concerns professionals have about going alcohol-free is navigating corporate networking events without drinking. My networking abilities actually improved without alcohol. I'm more articulate, remember every conversation, and follow up more effectively. Many colleagues have commented on my enhanced presence and engagement at events, proving that alcohol isn't necessary for successful professional networking.

Here are a few strategies that helped me succeed in the early days and continue to work to this day:

1. Reframe Networking
   Focus on building genuine connections rather than relying on liquid courage. I found that being fully present led to more meaningful professional relationships. Instead of spending mental energy monitoring my drink consumption or worrying about saying the wrong thing, I could fully engage in conversations. The result? I started remembering every interaction, following up effectively, and building a reputation as someone who truly listens and connects.

   Pro tip: Before each event, I set an intention for who I want to meet and what I hope to learn. This gives me purpose beyond just "showing up" and helps replace alcohol's artificial confidence with genuine curiosity.

2. Master the Mocktail
   Keep a non-alcoholic beverage in hand at events. My go-to is sparkling water with lime, which looks like a cocktail but keeps me sharp and focused. I've also learned to be proactive with bartenders – a simple "I'll have a club soda with a splash of cranberry" is professional and discrete. Most upscale venues now offer sophisticated non-alcoholic options, and I've found that having a drink in hand (alcoholic or not) helps others feel comfortable.

   Pro tip: Have a few responses ready for when someone asks why you’re not drinking. Here are some suggestions:

• "I'm focusing on clarity these days"

• "I feel better without it"

• "I have an early morning tomorrow"

3. Lead with Curiosity
   Rather than using alcohol as a social crutch, I learned to ask thoughtful questions about others' work and challenges, which often led to deeper discussions and stronger professional connections than any alcohol-fueled small talk ever did.

   Pro tip: Prepare a few open-ended questions before events:

• "What's the most exciting project you're working on right now?"

• "How is your industry handling [current trend]?"

• "What brought you to this event?

4. Know When to Arrive and Leave
   I've learned the power of strategic timing. Arriving early to events allows me to have meaningful conversations before the atmosphere shifts to heavy drinking. I'm also not afraid to leave when I've accomplished my networking goals – usually just as the serious drinking begins. Quality connections matter more than quantity of hours present.

   Pro tip: When you get home, reflect on the evening and congratulate yourself for a successful alcohol-free night and plan out your follow-up for the next day.

Signs Alcohol Might Be Holding You Back

If you're questioning whether work and alcohol are affecting your career trajectory, consider these warning signs:

• You regularly feel less than 100% during important morning meetings

• You're avoiding career-advancing opportunities that conflict with drinking habits

• Your professional confidence depends on having a drink first

• You're spending more mental energy managing drinking than focusing on career growth

• You notice your work quality varies based on the previous night's drinking

The decision to go alcohol-free transformed not just my career but my entire approach to professional life. I discovered that true confidence, leadership presence, and career success come from being fully present and operating at peak performance.

Know that there's a path forward that doesn't require sacrificing your professional ambitions or social connections. In fact, you might find, as I did, that removing alcohol opens doors you didn't even know existed – whether that's climbing the corporate ladder or venturing out on your own.

For more information about navigating your professional life alcohol-free, book a discovery call to explore how coaching can support your journey to both sobriety and career success.