I’ve been a Paramedic for over 14 years. I’ve been an alcoholic much longer than that and while my job was not what drove me to drink, I do find alcohol misuse quite pervasive in my line of work. Some is the stress of the job but also the type of person this job tends to attract. Generally speaking, there’s a big “work hard play hard” culture. I’d love to connect with other sober Paramedics, from anywhere in the world! Please introduce yourself, tell me where you work, how long you’ve been doing it, and why you love it!
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I started off not being sober but by the time I was a licensed Paramedic, I was sober, thank goodness.
I can appreciate what you’re saying, but I know for me, I needed to be sober and wanted to be sober.
I was on call potentially 24/7/ 365 besides regular shift work, and as I have said before, I wanted to be 100%, 100% of the time.
I did it for decades.
I loved saving lives and the ‘emergency care and transportation of the sick and injured.’
I am in the United States.
We did smoke in the back of the ambulance right next to the oxygen tank and discuss the calls we had been on, we knew we weren’t going to blow up.
We also did this right after we picked up dead and dying COPD patients.
It took me a lot longer to get off the cigarettes than the alcohol.
Thanks for being out there saving lives and doing your best for the ones who you don’t save.
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Not a paramedic, but a fireman, 17yrs. We turnout to assist at cpr calls but have no real medical training.
Similar to you, its a pretty hard drinking work culture. But I was already partying that way when I joined.
I’ve generally always enjoyed my job, but since getting sober its far more enjoyable everyday.
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Not a paramedic neither but I spent more than 25 year’s in Healthcare management and had to deal with a lot of sick folks and dying on a daily basis. I understand it takes it’s toll on you. I had to retire myself from it. So I’m teaching now. Welcome to TS.
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Thanks for the reply Alisa!
I’ve heard all the stories about smoking in the ambulance, haha. And ya, I started off on call as well. Unfortunately I was still drinking during my on call days. I drank enough to fend off the withdrawals and didn’t feel intoxicated at all, that’s how I justified it at the time. Pretty messed up when I look back on it though.
Thanks again, it’s nice to connect with someone who understands the job, the culture, and is also sober.
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Hey thanks for the reply and for sharing about yourself. 17 years is a great career. I have 14 years as a paramedic, and yes I imagine that drinking culture is the same. High adrenaline at times and people need to blow off steam. I’m also much happier since I’ve learned new ways of doing that, without alcohol.
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Wow 25 years is a long career! That’s great that you are teaching now, and you also have the wisdom to share regarding the mental health side. Thanks for the reply. 
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Yes seemed like an eternity lol 
It’s never too late to try something new. Thank you 
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