How To (Not) Say I’m An Alcoholic: 3 Strategies To Announce Your Sobriety With Pride

No shame here friends. Own your sobriety.

You’re starting to find your own unique sobriety flow. Life is good. But how do you tell the people who matter?

This is your chance to own your sobriety. You have worked hard for this. Work out your own boundaries and how much you feel comfortable revealing.

No one can tell you exactly what is the best thing to say, however, the way I see it, you have 3 strategies:

1- Fully admit that you don't drink because you have a problem.

I find this strategy can be easier if you throw some humor in there…

- I definitely have had enough partying for one lifetime, knocking drinking on the head has been the best decision I ever made.

- I’ve stopped drinking because let's be honest, I wasn’t that great at it. I haven’t drunk for 2 years/months/weeks now and I feel great.

- Yeah me and alcohol don’t agree really. Life is much better with me not drinking.

- I reckon I’ve already had enough booze to last me a lifetime.

- I was never able to just have 1 drink. Cutting the booze has made life so much easier.

I did this from day 1. I have noticed that some people felt uncomfortable with my honesty. That’s something that as much as I don’t want to take on others’ s**t, I did sense their shame, and initially, it made me question myself. So, if you choose this option, know that some people have baggage and they might act like complete d**ks.

There is a lot of judgment out there of addicts. If people feel ashamed that is their s**t. I can deal with that now, but just check in with yourself that you are prepared. Many people will never feel comfortable with saying this. You might be happier saying you just don't drink.

2- Admit you have stopped drinking and it's a lifestyle change.

Using this class of excuses lets everyone know it isn’t a temporary thing. It also means that they may guess you had a problem or they may ask you why you chose to fully cut out booze and not just cut down. So be prepared for those follow-up questions.

- I don’t drink now. It just didn’t really fit in with my life anymore.

- I wasn’t enjoying drinking. It just didn't feel right anymore and you know I’m much happier this way.

- I stopped drinking a couple of weeks/months/years ago, the hangovers were killing me. I’m way more productive/happier/healthier without it.

- Actually, I’ve stopped drinking alcohol.

This one is direct so expect a follow-up question. Try not to say sorry, I have a habit of apologizing here. I need to work on saying this line without being apologetic.

3- Admit you have stopped drinking temporarily.

Maybe you’re not quite ready to say you’re sober. It can be quite stressful to announce this to people, particularly if they are used to you drinking and might throw a ton of questions at you that you just aren't ready for.

Saying you have stopped drinking temporarily is not lying as plenty of temporary life choices become permanent and it can totally take the pressure off.

- I’m avoiding alcohol at the moment. It’s really made it easier to do…(talk about some life goals stopping drinking has helped you achieve)

- I’m having a night off, good for the liver.

Becoming sober is incredibly empowering and life-changing. However, announcing it to people can be challenging. Just because some people are comfortable announcing their sobriety is because of problem drinking doesn’t mean that you should do this. Some people never feel comfortable with declaring this.

Part of sobriety is re-learning what you are comfortable with.

There should never be internal or external judgment over how much you choose to reveal about your sobriety. In particular, don't waste energy beating yourself up over this. No two journeys look the same. Own your journey whatever it looks like and have compassion for others and theirs.

Doran Lamb is a freelance writer on addiction and mental health. She writes to challenge the stigma that exists as a result of mental health and through her writing wants the world to know that individual difference makes the world dynamic, sexy and beautiful. She is proudly an addict in recovery, a mother, and an opinionated woman, who has learned not to give a f**k what anyone thinks.