After much thought and consideration, I’ve decided to come out to my social network as a teetotaler. The way I see it, it could only do more good than harm. If it inspires one person, than it is worth it.
2 Likes
Please let us know how it goes. I’ve thought about doing this, but might wait a little longer until I have a little more time behind me. I’m gradually making it part of my outward identity and see that as an eventual step for me.
I found this app and forum because someone tweeted their sobriety counter. It has the potential to impact and inspire others.
2 Likes
Will do for sure!
I’m in no way sharing my sobriety journey on fb, the people who needed to know, know and those people who are far and worldwide from USA to Australia don’t need to know (on my fb) because my family lives in Wales and I moved to England my fb is mainly used for wishing people happy birthday and updating on how my boys are doing
2 Likes
I agree, it depends. My hard rules:
- Stick to my program. Talk about my own sobriety goals only.
- If I’m in a program, don’t talk about it. Certainly do not discuss meetings at all. I may unintentionally share something someone else is not comfortable sharing.
That said, I found this forum because someone openly posted screenshots of their timer and their goals (nothing related to the forum or anything else). He may have saved my life. Both inspired me in a dark moment and indirectly led me here.
To avoid any conflict though, I personally save all sobriety talk for Talking Sober or in person. No social media.
4 Likes
No social media either. I’m still learning how to walk… maybe one day, when I have more time under my belt. Idk yet.
4 Likes
Agreed. I’ll probably do similar as my friend at some point. Still just getting my head on straight first!
I do find the more open I am, the stronger I feel in my sobriety. And in some of those conversations the other person opened up about their own struggles.
2 Likes
Absutely not! It is a private matter. I don’t use social media really anymore. Even when I used it, I would not share much personal information. I only use instagram to share my photography. It is a private account with a few followers. I think we already left a big cyber print that is not in our control anymore unfortunately.
1 Like
I’m hoping to start a dialog amongst friends and family. I’m definitely not going to be coming out saying I’m an alcoholic, those who know me will know, I’ve been pretty open about my relationship with alcohol in the past. The stigma of alcoholism and problem drinking can only end the more people come out and talk about it. I think focusing on the benefits of living alcohol free is how I would start the conversation.
I have a few friends whom I worry about, I am hoping in some small way, I could help them the way everyone here helped me.
3 Likes
I really like the way you framed your message. 
1 Like
I do love your Instagram quotes and posts 
We all need to rest when our body tells us too, hope you feel better soon hun
1 Like
I think some of us are in positions that allow and facilitate us to be open in this way on social media, and others are not. It might be the career path someone has, certain social media followers they may have, their level of openness and desire to share, anything. I’m not ready to be open with my whole network, but some people are and I think that’s fantastic.
It’s a different debate, with different considerations, but I have the same stance on self harm scars. Not everyone is ready to, or even believes in letting their scars show. It can negatively impact some people. I highly respect those decisions, it’s not something that should be pressured in either direction IMO and people generally have good reasons for their choice. In my case, I am ready to let them incidentally show and talk about it one on one, in the name of understanding and fighting stigma.
3 Likes
I can say that when I hit a year, I will post it on my facebook because its something that my friends and family will wholeheartedly support and theres a lot of people who will be pleasantly stunned to see ive made it and also who wanted to follow suit but havent made it. Not only that, but i’ll be damn proud.
I wont post days/weeks or anything like that. With that in mind, it may seem immature, but a potential future employer not hiring me based on the fact that im publically sober isnt an employer I want to work for. If they want to employ someone posting rapides of photos of themselves in bars (probably with a glowstick, a drink in hand and sticking their tongue out) then thats their right to do so. There’s very little damage anything can do to me that I havent done to myself already through drugs and alcohol.
To each, their own, I guess.
5 Likes
So I shared on FB yesterday, I basically said that I weighed the pros and cons of alcohol and I could not find a single benefit, so I decided to be a teetotaler. Then listed some highlights since quitting, like wightloss, good sleep etc.
Those who know me well know what I mean in that post and those who don’t probably don’t even care.
The response has been very positive, my grandma said that my grandpa, who recently passed away, would be proud. That was touching, he too was a recovering alcoholic. A couple friends gave me some guff, no surprise, some people are incapable of giving praise, so they tease instead.
It went exactly how I thought it would, very positive. Now, if I hang out with friends/family, they may be aware of my choice and start a dialog… we’ll see. 
5 Likes
I think it’s awesome you guys can do this. It has the potential to help so many others.
3 Likes
I could never share on social media while I’m trying to get right. Maybe after I feel I have accomplished a goal I wouldn’t mind sharing. Being in healthcare I keep a lot of things away from social media.
1 Like
Welllll hello there Houston! lol 