Sober Living: 5 Reasons to Come Out of the Sobriety Closet

Sober Living: 5 Reasons to Come Out of the Sobriety Closet

Sober living is becoming cooler by the day. Especially thanks to the growing list of sober celebrities proudly leading the way.

However, whether you're newly sober, or you've been sober for some time. It can be nerve-wracking to come out of the sobriety closet. But there are many reasons why choosing to tell your friends and family members about sober living is a good idea.

Often we get so wrapped up in our own lives that we assume our choices will be picked apart by those we love the most. But this is unlikely to be the case, so read on to find out why you should come out of that sobriety closet.

If you are not quite there yet, perhaps still worrying about your drinking. Sober living might sound scary, perhaps even impossible if you have been trying to quit for years.

It really doesn't have to be that big a deal. So long as you take the willpower out of the process, quitting drinking is easy. The Stop Drinking Expert has helped over 100,000 people out of the alcohol trap. Click here for more information on our online courses and live events.

Why Tell Your Friends and Family About Your Sobriety?

If you've made a conscious choice to stop drinking, it's often because alcohol is impacting your life in a negative way. And it may also be impacting the lives of your friends and family negatively as well.

No one can walk this hard road alone. And if you're serious about sober living, you'll need the support of your friends and family eventually. Here are some reasons why you should quit hanging out alone in that sober closet:

1. You can Ditch the Peer Pressure

Peer pressure and drinking go hand in hand. This often starts at college, where it's "cool" to drink, and most social interactions revolve around alcohol. By the time we're well into adulthood, it's expected that we drink at most social occasions.

However, for many people, this social drinking can turn into heavy drinking. It's difficult to be sober when you still want to socialize with friends. This is especially true if they're continually offering you a drink.

When people know you're sober, you won't have to deal with them laying on the peer pressure and encouraging you to drink. You may be surprised by just how much support you have from both friends and friends of friends.

It's a lot easier to socialize when people are respectful of your decision. It's also easier to stay on the right path when you really want a drink but your friends and family members know you're sober.

2. You can Finally Relax Into Sober Living

Once you're out of that closet, you can stop pretending that you just "don't feel like a drink" or you're "still too hungover from the weekend."

While it can be scary to be open about your sobriety and finally leave that lonely closet behind, it's well worth it. When you're carrying a secret it can weigh on you, and you'll find it hard when you're not honest with the people who matter the most.

The number of people you tell will completely depend on how many you feel comfortable with:

• You may want to announce your sobriety on social media, so you can tell everyone at once
• You may just want to tell those closest to you so they can help you at social events
• Maybe you just want to tell one person, so they can help support you on your sobriety journey

Once you begin to let go of the guilt and shame that many people feel when they become sober, you'll probably feel like you're being true to yourself for the first time in a long time.

3. You'll Inspire Others to Come out of the Closet too

A funny thing happens when we begin talking about addiction. Often we hear from people who have family members struggling with drugs or alcohol.

You may find that some people open up and say they know they need to make a change too. Often, friends and family members may also be in the sobriety closet and need a helping hand to open that door.

It's not uncommon to find that by sharing your story and decision with loved ones, you inspire change in them as well. When you speak honestly about your own struggles and decisions, you can help others find hope when they need it the most.

While transitioning into sober living, you probably had people who helped you. They may have shared advice and stories with you. They may even have been that person that you could call at 3 am when you really wanted a drink.

Now, you can be that person for someone else. You can give advice to people who are going through the exact same struggle you've been through. While you may still be on your sobriety journey, taking the first step is the hardest part. You can be that inspiration for friends, family, or even strangers.

4. You'll be Held Accountable

You already know that struggling with addiction can feel like an uphill battle. Addiction is now seen by many scientists and researchers as a brain disease.

Addicted people have an impaired ability to stop using alcohol. This is because they have deficits in the way their prefrontal cortex works. This is the part of the brain that's involved in delaying rewards and self-monitoring.

What does this mean? Some days will be better than others. Sometimes you'll need help as you convince your brain you can survive without a drink. And that's where your friends and family members come in.

Once you tell people you're sober, it's real. You can't go back on your word. Once you've shared your struggle, you'll feel like you need to stick to what you've said. You'll know that you can't pick up a drink at a party when you're surrounded by people who support your sobriety.

5. Share the Load

If you currently feel alone in your struggle for sobriety, remember that others are going through the same thing. Don't be surprised if people you haven't spoken to in a long time message you and let you know they're off the drink and into sober living too. It's more common than you think!

You may find that a close friend has also been trying to beat their addiction, or a family member needs help. There are many reasons why AA works for some people. One of the biggest is the support of people who are going through the same thing you are.

The Stop Drinking Expert members also have access to our free sober living Facebook group.

When you're sharing the load, you can support others on their bad days, and gain support back when you need it yourself.

Discover Sober Living For Yourself

Taking the first step is always the hardest. Most problem drinkers have tried to deal with this on their own for a long time. It doesn't have to be difficult, click here to book your place on our next free quit drinking webinar.

Do you need help with your drinking? Get help here and take your life back today.