Part of deciding to seek help for addiction is deciding how public you wish to be about your recovery journey. There are many reasons you may wish to keep your addiction confidential, as well as many potential benefits of living your recovery out loud. It is important to remember that this is your personal process, and you should have complete control of who you wish to include during every step of the way. After carefully considering the pros and cons, you may decide to remain private in early sobriety, and go public with your recovery once you have gained a strong foothold in your new lifestyle. Whatever you choose, it is important to base your decision on what is best for the protection of your sobriety and mental health. Addiction is a private health issue, but it often affects quality of life in a very public way. After deciding to seek treatment for your addiction, you may need to disclose your situation to certain people such as your immediate family, as well as your boss or HR department. Beyond your inner circle, however, it is perfectly acceptable to keep your recovery to yourself. After treatment, you may find yourself in social situations where alcohol is served, and it would be uncomfortable to announce your recovery status. These are the circumstances when you can employ a few white lies to bypass the awkwardness. Tell people you are on a health cleanse, can’t mix alcohol with your medication, or have an early morning meeting the next day and you want to wake up fresh. If you so choose, there are many strategies you will learn in recovery for turning down substances while remaining private about your addiction. While there are plenty of reasons for staying private about your recovery, you may find that going public is incredibly empowering and can strengthen your commitment to your new lifestyle. While many people are still misinformed about addiction, there is a growing community of sober and sober-curious individuals who consider sobriety a revolutionary act of self-care. By announcing your decision to stay sober you can establish new connections in the sober world, and might also inspire others to follow in your footsteps. Going public about your recovery from addiction also keeps you accountable to yourself and those around you, providing you with a larger base of support should you encounter any obstacles in maintaining your sobriety.
The recovery journey is your story to tell, but you must take the first step by asking for help. At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.