Disclosure Experiences

[Honey Barbara]

Hard to imagine anyone could even think that, let alone say it.
My husband warned me that people will encourage me to "just have one" and asked me how I would handle it - I replied - and I will do this "If was a heroin addict would you tell me to just have a hit".
I have told My Mum, Sister and two best friends - 3 out of 4 laughed. I wasn't really sure how to take that. I don't think they take my addiction seriously. My husband is the ONLY person who has actually watched me battle with myself when I want to drink but think I shouldn't.
I don't want my addiction to be taken less seriously because I didn't make it to rock bottom. I caught myself going there and switched paths. I should probably mention that they are all being totally supportive now, but it took a bit of convincing.
Into the light - it sounds like you threatened those people, which is great. Your strength freaks them out & inspires us. I'll be ready for the people that are intimidated by sobriety and strength.
Thanks
Honey Barbaraxxx

[Rocket2d4]

hahaha...my getting high friends were happy for me.
It got so bad that they didn't want to hang out with me
anymore or offer to drive me to a treatment center..lmao

I still consider them my friends becuase i grew up with
them from childhood. Beside they been to treatments themselves.lol
When I see my HS friend in pasing today..they're happy for me.
I don't go promoting recovery...as I said, they're familar with
recovery and knows there's help if they want help.

The only person that didn't really support me at first was
my father...errr, did i mention I'm ACOA? lmao
But after 1 year of being sober. He bascailly went out of
his way to make sure there always soda in the frigg for me.lol
He started attending AA last year. Sometimes I would see him
in meetings. it's bascailly the only time my father and I hug
each other. We don't have the closest relationship in the world
but hugging my father is like a mirracle.

I even informed my boss that I attend AA..He said
he had family members that attend AA...

Sometimes I'll have co-workers or clients offer me a drink
becuase they were just being polite. Sometime people would
ask why becuase they didn't understand. I didn't take it the
wrong way. Most mature people understood. Sometimes certain
people would even ask me to 12 step or talk to one of thier family
members that has a problem.

I recently had an opportunity of make amends to my ex-wf.
She was the one person that took the blunt of my drinking/drug
problems. I didn't mention anything about the 12 steps at first.
It's been theraputic for the both of us. 20 years ago she told
me that she will always love me then hung up on me.
I didn't really understood that. She loves me very, very much.

She still loves me every much today. She carries alot of guilt and shame herself for what happened in our marriage. I had to be clear to her about a lot of things that wasn't her fualt. It had been very emotional and healing for the both of us. I'm very greatful that I can do this after all these years. I hurted her in ways that I didn't even relized. I had to listen to her. She lost someone that she loves
very much. She lost her marriage. Her husband. Her hopes and dreams...
Me...I was the wrecking ball that ****ed all that up for her and took
it from her. It effected her mentally and emotionally even after all
these years.
I told her I attend AA or NA. She's very supportive of this or is glad that
I do.

[skyhook]

______________annonymous

If confidentiality is required within our own,
how much more so in the world?

I have learned this lesson the hard way.

[sioux]

I told my parents only at that time. They were relieved.

Obviously my husband whom I met in a meeting and children are aware. My doctor knows. That's it.

I do not share this with employers, co-workers or anyone else really. I had a circle/triangle necklace in early recovery that I wore and when someone at work announced they knew what I was in a crowd and everyone wanted to know too, I took it off and gave it away.

I value my anonimity almost as much as my sobriety.

[skyhook]

______________annonymous

If confidentiality is required within our own,
how much more so in the world?

I have learned this lesson the hard way.

That is not to say that I don't occasionally use my super power :wink: for good. How many have confided to someone in need at a time when they needed courage to go on.

Seeing that WTF expression on their face, when they are given access to my past,,,well, its priceless.