Hey y’all 
So yesterday at work, a fellow server had two cocktails in the window, & asked if I could taste one to see if it was Jack or captain. (They were both mixed with coke, and looked the same.) I said no, that I’m sober, and that was that. However, it’s definitely been on my mind. I’ve always tried to be very open about my mental health & addiction. That being said, this has led to accusations of me being attention seeking/sympathy seeking, etc. I guess it comes down to the fact that I don’t feel like I have anything to be ashamed of. Not only that, I’ve always tried my best to make others that struggle feel less alone. I guess my main question is, do you find it helpful when others are open & transparent about their illness? I’ve been second guessing myself. I’d rather live with clarity & honesty. Any input would be welcome!
I’m proud of my sobriety so I wear it like a badge of honor. Nothing to be ashamed of.
I’m always very open about my recovery. The shame I initially felt about being open about it had more to do with me forgiving myself than anyone else. I have found talking about it normalizes it and helps me stand up for who I am with no shame. Often other people who are also in recovery or who want to get sober will speak up too after I open that space in the conversation.
Proud of you for sticking up for yourself and your recovery. Could be that there are some past relationship patterns with parents or significant others that didn’t allow you to be who you are without apologizing for the inconvenience to them. I love that you are undoing their inadequacies by standing in your power now.
I'm very open and honest about it. Think of it this way it's no different then saying I have a peanut allergy or I'm lactose intolerant. If someone knows you lactose intolerant then they aren't going to ask you to try a milkshake. Unfortunately you have the pleasure of working with morons. I thank God daily for creating so many stupid people 
Yeah, nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone is addicted to something. Be it power, money, food, intercourse, etc. I’m in the mind mold of Tracy here. I’m proud of being sober and sane now.
I've always been open, not always right off the bat but introduce it when it's appropriate. This sounds like people that have issues themselves. Don't worry about what others think or say. If they aren't supportive then they don't matter. I remember a while back I did a small drug program in jail I felt led to not speak at all for two days, like fasting. I've always been told I talk too much ever since I was little lol. Everyone accused me of attention seeking in small group. The entire time I was journaling and reflecting on situations that I really wanted to talk but couldn't. I learned A LOT! That I always wanted people to know that I knew a lot about certain things they were talking about, wanting to correct people when they were wrong, people pleasing by "bragging" about things I had or have done...and the list went on. But the moral of the story is, people have no idea why we are really doing the things we are doing and just assume things from their own insecurities. Do you boo boo 
and F em
I am the same way. I feel better when I'm honest and direct with people. I feel like there are certain personalities that just work that way. I believe that sharing details and being open shows others how to be. I kinda see it as a fault when people convolute or mysteriously code their communication. For what? Who cares?! You just keep doing you and lead the packs of people that can't get through their own bs. I firmly believe all that. If there are haters, let them hate. Probably that's just a front and they are actually learning something from you. Be strong, you are totally good.
I see a change in you! Something really amazing is happening with you! Not that you weren’t always fantastic, but now you are finally seeing it for yourself. As a dear friend of mine says “F shame”. So good to see your recovery progressing.
I think I have said this to you in the past… those that matter don’t mind, and those that mind don’t matter!
Do not be ashamed of the progress you have made! Addicted we wore the chemicals like a suit of armor… now we can wear our recovery that way. You have been doing amazing so be proud of that!
Your mind gravitates toward the negative and it is playing games with you. Be honest about your disease and let people know who you are. This is where your emotional intelligence needs to grow, and you need to trust your higher power. It’s one more hoop to jump through. Good luck.
This is great, I’m glad
You shared. I’ve come to terms that most people will not understand your recovery and your unique path. You don’t owe any explanation to anyone. Surround
Yourself with more
Sober people and that’s where you can be more open where it’s safe. Im typically an open person and proud of my
Recovery but I just don’t feel the need to share because I get the same result in lack
Of understanding. I feel more empowered that I let certain people know about my recovery. I also keep the topic light. Most people drink so I laugh and make jokes like they think I drink. I share drunken stories From the past and I don’t imposed judgement on their life. I just remember I’m
On my own unique path and it’s mine to share when I want to. Most people are shocked when I do share I don’t drink because I still have my edge. So it’s still
An opportunity to step more and more into yourself.
Hope this makes sense.
Honestly, if you have to talk about your sobriety, or write a 12 on your hand, or carry a big book with you to help get you through, that’s your prerogative. People will accept those if they accept and respect you.
Stop worrying about what people think of you. 80% of us don’t even like ourselves.
I heard something that sticks with me to this day
"What people think of me is none of my business"
You may find reading The 5th and 12th tradition helpful..
I have found through trial and error there is a proper time and place for breaking my anonymity.
I'm echoing all the helpful things people have said here and just added the fact that you should feel even more comfortable being open about it considering you work in an establishment that serves alcohol and have to be around it.
I'm sorry if it seems to have been received in the way you describe, but at the end of the day its work. It would be great to have cammerarderie and support, but if you're doing what you need to do and throwing down the way you're supposed to, people can feel whatever the heck they feel. Recovery teaches us that we don't have control over other people, just ourselves. Try to focus on what's right on your side of the street and put them out of your mind.
Personally, I’m not drinking for my own mental health so I don’t feel the need to tell anyone my goals or reasoning. Friends know I’m not drinking right now, but I don’t think the realize that this time it’s not just a break.
I’m also nervous to be open about it bc I’m early in my journey and if I make a mistake I don’t want people to be able to judge or shame me for messing up. I can do that myself!
But this is my personal feelings and I don’t expect everyone to feel the same.
This works too! Whatever you are comfortable with at the moment. Either way one chooses to handle it, we support and celebrate you!!
I am very comfortable with my mental health and addictions. It has been a lot of work! It wasn’t just a one and done thing like so many people think it is. And people who don’t have a substance issue don’t understand how it works. So I like to establish with others that just one drink is too many for me. It isn’t for sympathy but for understanding.
Any input that doesn’t have alcohol is okay
There are ways to say that one doesn’t drink alcohol without breaking ones anonymity. I either say that I don’t drink, or that I am allergic (which is true).