I do not let anyone on the job know that I am an addict. I only share my addiction problem with those on the web. My wife knows that I am an alcoholic, but she is absolutely no help, if I share any problems that I have with sobriety.

I didn't know that you had to explain yourself to anyone. I don't think I personally would tell someone 'oh BTW, I don't drink because I'm an alcoholic'.
If someone offers you a cocktail , just say proudly :NO THANK YOU, but I'll have blah blah blah. If they say something after that, say: I QUIT DRINKING ALCOHOL. If they say something after that, then say something like: I am sorry you did not hear me, I TOLD YOU I QUIT DRINKING ALCOHOL!!! They will get it by then, hopefully.
I personally don't think you need to label yourself as an alcoholic but you don't need to explain yourself a stranger.

I've told the people i trust whats going on bit with other people i tell them i'm on a health kick to prepare for a trek i'm doing. Its kind of dumb that in our society we have to give people a reason for not wanting to drink. Surely i dont want to should be enough.

Hi Joe Im allways amazed when young people realise that drinking just isnt working Major Kudos to you for that
Im in the UK to I am a lot older than you. I go to AA .we are getting a lot of younger people at the meetings male and female Might be worth it for you to check out a meeting or two You would get to i d with people ask a few questions
If thats not for you theres also Smart recovery They have meetings , not as many but I've been to one in my area really friendly Mixing with others who have identified their problem does help as well as coming on here Well done on 77 days

Hi Joe, I'm also in the UK, l got well with Alcoholics Anonymous. My recovery makes me unashamed of my alcoholism as I worked hard to get and stay sober. If anyone judges me for being alcoholic they don't show it. Most seem to think it is great that I faced the problem head on. Most families are touched by problems related to alcohol it appears so people relate.

I don't broadcast that I am alcoholic, I just tell those who need to know.

I added before I meant to - well done on your progress so far!

Hello Joey2218,

Im just across the pond from the UK and a few years ago I struggled with many of the things you have described.

I have told family members that I am an alcoholic but have not told other people unless they needed to know. For a long time I was ashamed and afraid that people would find out but it doesnt bother me today. I dont shout it from the rooftops and I prefer it if people dont know but I wont lose any sleep about it if they find out.

You are welcome to send me a private message if you have any questions or if you think that I can help in any way.

Nobody needs to know you are an alcoholic and why would you feel the need to tell anyone anyway?

A similar thing happened to me and it was because I had some unresolved issues triggering me. I discussed them with my AA sponser and after a long heart to heart discussion, those issues no longer bothered me.

Hope this helps,

God Bless!

I don't want to dissuade you from telling people you're an alcoholic. But if I had it over again, I wouldn't tell my family. Non alcoholics cannot understand the addiction...the compulsion. and they've seen too much TV to be helpful.

My family is judgemental and every time I get upset they either tell me it's bc I have a drinking problem or they make a comment that relates to it....
Regardless of how long it's been since I've had one and what the issue is about.

It you have someone that is really great and understanding maybe......but I might think it over. Once you tell them you can't untell them....

Thankyou all so much for the advice and support, I didn't realise so many people dont really tell everyone. I honestly thought it was just one of those things where you tell everyone. I was worried that if someone offered me a drink I might not say anything and just take it but I will just say I dont drink.

Also, I agree with you JAYUS, my family seem to think it is one of those things that once youve quit drinking for a day or 2 you'll be absoloutley fine!! :/

i do the same as impermanence.

You don't need to tell them anything unless they are recovering too. If you are in a place where someone is offering you a drink or drugs you need to leave or respectfully decline the offer. It was hard for me in my first year so I tried to avoid anywhere that had alcohol or drugs. I found the temptation was there when I would walk by the beer coolers in the stores. I would say a small prayer and remind myself of all the pain and trouble it caused me. My family already knew I was an alcoholic. They weren't a lot of help because they didn't understand. That's another story. Congratulations on your hard work. Keep it up "one day at a time".

Welcome.
I didn't tell anyone except my husband parents and a close friend that I'm alcoholic.
I'm now sober four years next month and Ive told only a few people who need to know.
Otherwise I just say I don't drink. What I've found is mist people don't care. The only people who pushed me on it are uncomfortable with themselves ....
You are young and have an entire full life ahead of you. Don't trash it with alcoholism. And don't be ashamed. Being sober is amazing and wonderful and opens up worlds....

I've found that once you explain in great detail how your addiction affects you to a non-alcoholic, it's apparent that they really just will never understand.

If your family thinks that short term sobriety will fix your problem, they clearly have little grasp on how the addiction works. It's not their fault, and that's why I forgive my family. They aren't meant to truly understand because they aren't addicted and there is literally nothing short of them becoming alcoholics that will make them understand.

The real question is, why do you want to tell them? What do you think you will gain?

If you tell people, some of them may look down on your or downplay your problem. Meanwhile, you should be comfortable with yourself and be able to not let their opinion bother you, but then was there really a reason to tell them in the first place?

I know I have a really poor attitude about telling non alkies about your problem. And again, I don't want you to not do it just bc of what I say. I just don't want you to have regrets about telling them like I do.....

Do you want a drink?
answer NO.
You don't drink?
answer NO.
Why not?
answer I DON'T LIKE WHAT IT DOES TO ME.