Please Help: Recovering alcoholics in Japan?
 

Hello, my boyfriend is a recovering alcoholic and I have recently quit drinking in his support. We are planning on moving to Japan soon to teach ESL at my mother's private English school. I am worried about finding support for alcoholics and their family/friends in a foreign country. From what I understand, people drink A LOT in Japan. What is appropriate in a social/business setting when offered drinks? I speak Japanese pretty fluently but he does not, and I don't want social or cultural pressures to endanger his path to recovery from a very serious disease. I hope some of you will have helpful insight and advice to help keep both of us sober! Thanks for reading!

If he's simply teaching at your mother's private ESL school then it sounds like their isn't a problem on the business side of things. :)

I believe there are AA meetings in Japan...I don't know if they are in English or not...probably both.

He will almost definitely face pressure to drink in Japan. Friends and co-workers will want to take him out to celebrate his new job and arrival in Japan, etc. I recommend telling them up front that he can't drink, have plenty of other beverages available (and ready for the kampai/toast), and make sure to try and visibly have fun and get involved at the parties (eating, singing, chatting, etc) The more outgoing he is, the less pressure there will be to "have a drink to loosen up". Go with him to these enkais if possible so that he has your support to back him up if he weakens.

Hope this helps

Tokyo Alcoholics Anonymous

Being a recovering alcoholic in Japan will be difficult. Best of luck.