Best Ways to Tell Your Friends and Co-Workers You’re in Recovery

It’s always hard to have to have those difficult conversations with friends and families.  It’s even harder to tell people that you’re in recovery.  While letting people know your secrets and struggles can be very freeing, it’s never easy to admit your struggles and mistakes.  Co-workers may be easier to tell than family, but there is still fear of judgment about your job performance.  There’s no denying that telling your co-workers and family members about your recovery can be scary, but it can also strengthen your relationships and build trust.  There are several ways to go about discussing your recovery with others.

Have Confidence

You know that the past is in the past.  You have owned up to your mistakes and sought help for your problems.  Displaying this confidence when you tell others about your recovery will let them see you in a new light.  You have nothing to be ashamed of, so tell them confidently and make it know that you have conquered your addiction.  When you feel confident about yourself, others will see that and will be proud of how much you have overcome.

Be Selective With Who You Tell

There’s no rule that states you must tell everyone you meet about your past struggles.  Choose wisely who you share your recovery with.  Acquaintances at work that you only see once in a while don’t need to know about your past addictions.  You may only choose to reveal your recover to those whom you work closely.  Telling only those you closely work with will give you more confidence as they will be less likely to judge you than other.  It is important to recognize that not all people you confide in will understand.  They may judge you, and you may have to end a friendship.  If that is the case, so be it.  Staying on track in your sobriety is the top priority you must focus on.  The more you discuss your recovery with family and friends, the easier it will become to share your story and begin to heal, but chose to be selective in who you tell.

Be Brief When Sharing Details

Letting people know about your recovery is great for moving on with your life and beginning the healing process. However, you do not need to go into specific details with you share about your addiction and recovery.  It may be too soon for some to hear about details of your addiction, while it may cause others to judge you or lose faith in you.  For these reasons, share about your experiences but keep them brief and limited, sharing only what you feel is necessary.  Avoid making yourself or others around you feel uncomfortable by oversharing, so be brief when sharing details.

Give Yourself Time Before You Discuss Your Recovery

Statistics show that after spending time in an inpatient drug rehab, some may relapse again before they get better.  Because there is a chance of relapse, give yourself time to adjust to your new routines before you come right out and tell everyone about your recovery.  This way you can avoid your feelings of guilt or shame and their feeling of lost trust if you tell family or friends and then experience relapse.  Settle into your new life and routinely attend meetings or meet with counselors to help you adjust, and then begin to share about your recovery process.  Should you experience a relapse, seek help from a drug rehab facility in Texas so that you may get back on track to conquering your addiction.  Breaking an addiction habit is no easy task, so be sure you give yourself ample time before discussing your recovery with co-workers or family members.

Educate About the Stigmas Related to Addiction

Knowledge is power, as the saying goes.  Some people just simply don’t understand addiction.  After we leave drug rehab, many may see us in a negative light.  However, if we educate co-workers, friends, and family members about the disease of addiction, then we can help to stop the stigmas associated with addiction and recovery.  Sharing with other that sometimes addiction is not a choice you make but a disease you have can build a bridge to understanding each other.  So take it up yourself to educate other about the stigmas related to addiction, and you just may see a change for the better.

Telling people around you about addiction problems will never be an easy conversation.  Should you need more information or if you are looking to seek help at a drug rehab facility in Texas, Summer Sky is drug rehab center in Texas with people standing by to offer assistance.  Your sobriety is important, and so is your recovery process.