Starting this off myself, there was one fella at my current job who bought vodka at a liquor store during his lunch break, poured heaps of it into his soda from a fast food joint, and wound up getting fired when they noticed him getting drunk as hell.
That was before I started working here, but coincidentally I met him at my other job!
Mine is similar. Arrived, day one in a new team; this one was more high-intensity than the usual - a fast-paced and very hands-on work environment. Noticed the team leader was working in a dysfunctional and unsafe manner; seemed unsteady. As the most junior member and a newbie at that I hesitated to confront directly; thankfully I managed to find a more experienced colleague. Scene was made safe; turned out the guy was drunk as a skunk. Canned within the hour.
I’ve since learned to be stronger and more willing to confront suboptimal or dangerous performance in team members, regardless of their seniority.
I knew a guy who would get absolutely wrecked on his lunch break in his car, and show up early thinking he was late because he was high as a kite on hard drugs.
You couldn't tell unless he told you. He was a top performer. Probably the only person I've ever met that was a well functioning drug abuser, and that's an understatement, the guy was fucked out of his mind all the time and to everyone around him he was perfectly coherent and capable.
Laptop repair in one of those third party warranty shops where the manufacturer ships them to get them fixed under warranty. Fucker had the best quality control numbers in the shop.
That is kinda cool but sad also. I knew someone like that as well. Worked for a company were the best quality control person for boards was a functioning alcoholic. And I mean like her hands started shaking around 9 o'clock. She would drink all day long from tiny schnaps bottles hiding in her office or from her flask.
These boards were mostly for prototypes or small series, so always something new to look out for. Tiny parts mounted by hand. She would catch any error or faulty joint. But couldn't talk straight. I never understood how that's possible. I guess these people are better focused when drunk/high. Or just ultra pros at their jobs...
I know someone like that. He's always drinking. And always drunk. He says he'd rather kill himself than drink less. Has a fancy government that drug tests him every 5 minutes just about. He makes a lot of money though. No idea how this is even sustainable. Guess they don't give a shit as long as you don't smoke weed.
Got drunk for the first time a week ago, I struggled to speak but I definitely felt hyper focused on what I was doing. In contrast I'm usually focused on what's going on around me and have good spacial awareness. I can totally see myself doing quality control and not missing a beat.
Bro. I worked for a call centre way back and in training some dude did the same thing sans the soda.
Just downed a 1/2 bottle and went back to training. Suffice to say he was pretty drunk (admittedly an alcoholic, and I sympathise) and started being a bit louder. He was promptly fired.