Professionally, I have known through taking hundreds of family histories, that family dysfunction shows up long before alcohol abuse becomes a problem in the work place. Most prospective Innkeepers come to Innkeeping via success in their previous careers. They had occupations that often entailed a highly structured, disciplined work environment, where being accountable for job performance and job reviews kept them vigilant. When these elemetns are lacking, staff will quickly learn to take advantage of the instability and guests will seek accommodations in a more pleasant and better organized setting. Abusive drinkers exhibit anger and frustration, fear and guilt about their out of control habits and shame at not being able to fulfill the promises to themselves, or others, to minimize their alcoholic intake.
Innkeepers are highly visible if they are to be successful.
Sometimes new Innkeepers work 12 to 14 hours a day in close proximity to their guests, their staff, family and most of all their spouse. That is why an alcohol problem is so readily exposed. Innkeeping today is an upscale and obliging business. If you have a problem with alcohol, or your spouse does, Innkeeping is not the right career for you. Most Innkeepers commit all their equity into the Inn purchase and losing it, as is likely in an alcohol driven environment, is total.