Interesting observation.
I wonder if it's the "stay-low-key" alcoholic behavior wearing off...
Sort of like downing a few drinks before showing up at an event, carefully hiding booze, trying to look normal while suffering another hangover, etc...
Maybe once you've achieved sobriety, the need to be overly discreet simply becomes unnecessary.
Myself, I've become more skeptical about things I hear about and read...rather than just accepting everything. Making personal decisions and forming my own opinions...even if I keep them to myself.
Appropriately assertive sounds good.