Telling Friends & Family About Your Sobriety
You’ve recovered from your addiction and are progressing through the 12 steps to recovery. Being social is part of life, and there’s no way to get around it—there are going to be questions and people are going to offer you alcoholic beverages. What will your response be? If you’re not prepared, you may be unnecessarily defensive in your response. This guide will offer tips for telling friends, family, and others about your sobriety.
Expect The Common Questions
Whether it’s a family reunion or an office party with coworkers, it’s always possible that there may be drinking. When the people around you are drinking alcohol, it’s reasonable that they’re going to wonder why you aren’t. They’ll probably ask you about it. As a sober person in a social environment, it’s vital to know that these questions are natural, and it helps to be ready with appropriate responses. If it’s a shock to you every time you’re asked about your drinking, you may react in a less-desirable way.
It’s Important To Own Your Sobriety
The truth is, talking to people about your sobriety can be extremely easy, but only if you take responsibility for it. This means not feeling shame if a new person asks for a second time why you can’t have a shot with the rest of the group. If your purpose is strong, then it will be easy to answer such questions and integrate with a group that may be drinking.
Easy Responses To Tell People You’re Sober
People are going to ask about your sobriety, and there’s no need for you to tell your entire story to every one of them. Try these easy responses to quickly convey that you’re sober without leaving any doubt or room for further questioning:
- “Taking a break from drinking, thanks though!”
- “My medication prevents me from drinking, but I’m cool with it.”
- “I’m actually the designated driver.”
- “Not tonight, I have an early morning tomorrow.”
Telling Your Story Of Sobriety
It’s 100% up to you, but there may come times when people are genuinely wondering about how you achieved sobriety and even the challenges you’ve overcome along the way. Telling your story to people can be a relieving and therapeutic experience, especially if it’s a compassionate group that is genuinely curious. While reliable lines can dismiss questions when you don’t feel like dealing with them, you may decide which details you’re comfortable including in your sobriety story for those times when you feel like telling it.
Myrtle Beach Recovery Can Help
We understand that staying sober is a commitment that lasts a lifetime. If you or a loved one need a peaceful environment in which to work through the 12 Step Program, our team at Myrtle Beach Recovery is here to help. Contact us to learn more about our programs and facility.
