Picture this: it’s Friday, and your coworkers are planning to hit the bar after work. You don’t enjoy drinking or hanging out with them, so you come up with a white lie to get out of it. You tell them you’re two years sober, and suddenly, you’re in the middle of a heated debate. Is it a harmless fib or an insensitive appropriation of a term that means a lot to those in recovery? Let’s dive into this juicy story.
The White Lie Strategy

Dodging the Drinking Scene

The Sober Card: A Foolproof Excuse?

Busted!

Confession Time

Accusations Fly!

Defense Mode Activated ️

The Big Question

Edit: Gratitude and Reflection

A New Approach

Supporting a Fellow Coworker

Mixed Reactions

The Great Sober Debate: Harmless or Hurtful? ❌
Our protagonist found themselves in a pickle after using the term ‘sober’ to avoid after-work drinks with coworkers. But when a coworker who’s genuinely in recovery overheard, she accused them of insensitive appropriation. Now, our storyteller is left questioning whether their white lie was harmless or hurtful. Let’s see what the internet has to say about this controversial situation…
Using ‘sober’ without context can be misunderstood. ‘Teetotal’ is better.

Soft YTA for lying about being an alcoholic to avoid pressure

Lying about being sober? YTA. Recovering addicts find it insensitive.

Saying you’re sober is appropriate, but claiming 2 years?

“Using someone else’s sobriety as an excuse? Not cool!”

Navigating sobriety: finding the right response to avoid judgment

Lying about being sober to avoid nagging, justified or not?

Navigating the delicate territory of drink culture and addiction

Former addicts support OP’s strategy to stop pressure to drink

Using ‘sober’ as an excuse is relatable but risky

No alcohol for two years? The truth is revealed!

Respecting boundaries: Shutting down pushy people with a white lie

Lying about sobriety? ESH except the person in recovery.

NAH for using a sober excuse, but lying sucks

Polite non-drinker shares clever excuse for declining alcohol
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Claiming to be “sober” when not actually addicted? YTA ♂️

Navigating sobriety in a boozy world

YTA- Lying about addiction undermines those in recovery. ♂️

NTA: People don’t respect my choice to not drink, it’s obnoxious

NTA. Sober? Not according to the comment replies

INFO: Is there a difference between not drinking and being an alcoholic?
