Hi, ToughChoices. I always enjoy reading your posts. You have come a long way and I hope you are proud of that. As far as a graceful way to say what you want to say, how about just explaining it to him the way you explained it to us? It is the honest truth. You are still early in recovery and going back to a job where you could be tempted to return to old habits, would be a mistake. Protecting your sobriety is the most important thing right now. From what you have said, he is a very compassionate and forgiving person, so I'm sure he would understand where you are coming from.