View Poll Results: Do you tell people you are in recovery? or sober?
Yes
23
35.38%
No
6
9.23%
If I have too
14
21.54%
If I know them
22
33.85%
Voters: 65. You may not vote on this poll
Do you tell people you are in recovery or sober?
Helping Others, Helps Me
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 481
Do you tell people you are in recovery or sober?
Yes, No, If they Need to Know, If I know em
It seems some people have this bad idea of who an alcoholic or someone in recovery is.
Me, I see it as overcoming a great life obstacle. Like slaying a dragon...
It seems some people have this bad idea of who an alcoholic or someone in recovery is.
Me, I see it as overcoming a great life obstacle. Like slaying a dragon...
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
People who are close to you will know without being told that you either aren't drinking or aren't drinking as much. It will be apparent from our changed behavior. Its kinda like they all knew you had a drinking problem even if you tried to hide it.
But if someone I know pretty well asks me, I tell them.
But if someone I know pretty well asks me, I tell them.
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,015
Originally Posted by Peter 
I deal with it on a "need to know" basis only.
My kids don't have any problem announcing it to their friends, teachers, etc.!
Belgian Sheepdog Adictee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
Posts: 6,101
I voted YES.
Whether I know someone or not, and they see my the back of whatever vehicle I am driving at the moment and look at it, on the left they see "Easy Does It" and on the right they see "One Day At A Time."
I figured it like this, very very early in my recovery. Everyone knew I was a falling down street living drunk, so what does it matter that I am sober now? It doesn't.
I have also shared it with employers over the years, have been asked by employers sometimes to sit in on a meeting with an employee, have had acquaintances ask me to talk with someone they know, etc etc
Once I worked the 12 steps and learned how to LIVVE them in my daily life, I have never been ashamed of the fact that I was a practicing alcoholic for 24+ years. I am a sober alcoholic today and have been for a long time. I AM ALIVE!
Without sobriety I would have been dead a long time ago.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
Whether I know someone or not, and they see my the back of whatever vehicle I am driving at the moment and look at it, on the left they see "Easy Does It" and on the right they see "One Day At A Time."
I figured it like this, very very early in my recovery. Everyone knew I was a falling down street living drunk, so what does it matter that I am sober now? It doesn't.
I have also shared it with employers over the years, have been asked by employers sometimes to sit in on a meeting with an employee, have had acquaintances ask me to talk with someone they know, etc etc
Once I worked the 12 steps and learned how to LIVVE them in my daily life, I have never been ashamed of the fact that I was a practicing alcoholic for 24+ years. I am a sober alcoholic today and have been for a long time. I AM ALIVE!
Without sobriety I would have been dead a long time ago.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 108
I'm a yes. I don't run waving a flag, but when the questions do come (and not only about the drink but about something I may do in how I live), I share openly & honestly. Being in AA has got to be the best thing that ever happened to me.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: witness protection program
Posts: 378
If they ask if I drink I say I don't, if they ask why, I say it doesn't work for me. I don't ask you about your period or bowel movements, don't ask me probing questions about my drinking or lack there of. I have yet to be close enough to a person outside of AA or a professional who needs to know about my recovery.
I don't keep it a secret but I don't broadcast it either.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,697
It's certainly situational - but I don't hide it by any means.
If it's a relative stranger, I have seen that they seem to get more uncomfortable with the topic than I do...usually just saying "I don't drink alcohol" is sufficient. When the 'whys' start coming - I have no problem slowly going deeper and deeper (ie - I used to drink a lot <to> I made a decision to stop <to> I have alcoholism and have been sober for xxx amount of time).
A lot of times I get the impression they think I am putting them on.
oh, I voted Yes.
If it's a relative stranger, I have seen that they seem to get more uncomfortable with the topic than I do...usually just saying "I don't drink alcohol" is sufficient. When the 'whys' start coming - I have no problem slowly going deeper and deeper (ie - I used to drink a lot <to> I made a decision to stop <to> I have alcoholism and have been sober for xxx amount of time).
A lot of times I get the impression they think I am putting them on.
oh, I voted Yes.
I'm just a little unwell
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 2,219
Originally Posted by dgillz
People who are close to you will know without being told that you either aren't drinking or aren't drinking as much. It will be apparent from our changed behavior. Its kinda like they all knew you had a drinking problem even if you tried to hide it.
It was painstakingly difficult for me to tell my husband, and almost as hard to tell my best friend. I've told only one other person since then. My disclosure of this is DEFINITELY on a need-to-know basis only.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 157
Granted, I'm just *really* giving it my very first go at doing an honest attempt of quitting drinking, but the few weeks working up to it, I admited my problem to a few of my very close friends that I know would help and support me along the way.
Otherwise, I see it really as no one's business but my own, unless it's on a need-to-know basis, like a doctor or therapist.
Otherwise, I see it really as no one's business but my own, unless it's on a need-to-know basis, like a doctor or therapist.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 331
Some of my friends and family know, but this is my first week being sober. I did something I am ashamed of and drank for 12 days in a row during the christmas break-New Years, Now I am back at the gym 2 hrs a day in the morning and sober today, yesterday, the day before and the day before that. 
No more merlot, more mamma
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Hills, Ct
Posts: 2,139
I don't really announce it in the work place as of yet. If I meet you, and you notice that I"m not drinking, and ask me, then I will say I'm in recovery. I've met some folks who were looking for help this way..and I've also met some folks who are in recovery also.
It's a win/win situation most of the time.
It's a win/win situation most of the time.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central, La.
Posts: 422
It's something I'm not going to put on a billboard but on the same note I am neither ashamed or afraid to share who/what I am, a person in recovery. Seems like I remember words like, /we will bow down to no one/we will be neither servile or scraping/....Share when it feels right, if not, then.............
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
