Telling People You’re Sober

Are you ready to have the talk? Telling people you’re sober is a big step forward in recovery. Make sure you know who you want to tell and why you want to tell them. Check in with yourself and weigh whether this is the right step forward. How will informing people about your sobriety benefit your recovery? What are the risks? Let’s explore.

Making the Decision to Tell People About Your Sobriety

First and foremost, your sobriety is a personal journey; ultimately, it’s no one else’s business. Many people choose to keep their sobriety to themselves, and that’s absolutely okay. Others may find that they need support from friends, family, and sober communities to help maintain their sobriety. And that’s okay too! Choosing to tell people that you’re sober is a very personal decision and it’s up to you to decide what you’re comfortable with in the stage of recovery you’re in. 

Stigma, Shame, and Sobriety

Some may be hesitant to tell people that they’re sober because they don’t want it to change how they’re viewed. It’s an inescapable truth that disclosing your sobriety will change people’s perspectives of you. But it doesn’t always have to be a bad thing. If someone begins to treat you differently or look down on you, they don’t have to join you on your recovery journey. 

In a sense, telling people you’re sober is a good way of weeding out the people who may negatively affect you. It can be a way of protecting your space and making sure you’re surrounding yourself with people who have your best interest in mind. There is no shame in being sober. It’s something to be proud of and celebrated—and the right people will see that. 

Accountability and the Pressure of Success

Accountability can be a double-edged sword, especially in early recovery. On one hand, letting people know you’re sober will allow them to advocate for you. If you’re at a social gathering where people are drinking they can make sure no one pressures you. Or they can speak up first and say something like, “Just soda for us, thanks.” It can help you feel more supported with people in your corner who know your situation. 

But on the other hand, it may make you feel as if you are constantly being watched. Knowing that people are paying attention to your sobriety can add a lot of extra pressure and could end up impacting your recovery. The easiest way to avoid this is to be upfront with the person you’re disclosing your sobriety. Set your boundaries and make your expectations of them clear. Do you need or want someone to monitor you? Let them know.

Deciding Who to Tell

Deciding who to tell depends mostly on the person’s direct role in your daily life. Family and immediate friends tend to be the ones people tell first but it also depends on the nature of your relationships. Are you close with your family? Does the relationship require mending? Do you want to repair it? These are all questions to ask yourself when deciding who to inform about your sobriety. 

In professional situations, some find it inappropriate to disclose to employers. But if your profession conducts a lot of work functions, at restaurants or other places where alcohol is involved, it might be worth letting someone know. It doesn’t have to be your boss necessarily, it could be a colleague you’re close with. Someone who can provide support through situations that may test your self-control.

Eudaimonia Can Help Keep You on the Path to Recovery

Eudaimonia offers excellent recovery programs with tailored care. In these programs, individuals can develop positive coping skills with the tools necessary to maintain sobriety. Eudaimonia even provides tailored care based on gender and orientation. We also include supervised, short-term housing to provide support for newly sober individuals. But no matter where you are in your recovery, Eudaimonia Sober Living Homes can provide support every step of the way. We have facilities for sober living in Austin, Houston, and Colorado Springs ready to assist you in living your sober lifestyle. Call Eudaimonia Sober Living Homes at (888) 424 – 4029 for more information on the sober living process and current room availability.