To refuse to be ashamed of being a recovering alcoholic?

[ChickenVindaloo2]

Yesterday was 2 years since I became clean and sober. I posted as much on my facebook page. I have only about 60 friends and family and pretty much all of them know there is/was an issue.

My parents knew the full extent of it and how close I came to ruining my life/ending up dead/in hospital etc.

My dad phoned me at 8am and asked I take the post down "because we've got family on there".

I am open about my struggle and have found that several people have asked me about it privately and shared their own worries about being addicted to wine especially.

AIBU to refuse to keep quiet or be ashamed?

Thanks.

Absolutely well done, you! What a fantastic achievement. And as for your Dad - what disgusting conments to make to and about his little girl. Shame on him. Congratulations, OP!

Well done and congratulations

My twin is an alcoholic and I would totally love this to be her status on Facebook one day. You have done so well and should be proud of yourself.

Congratulations

Congratulations, an achievement worth sharing on fb in my opinion.

Your dad is bring a dick, I would repost that you are so proud of yourself in big sparkly letters!

Two years sober is an accomplishment, and something to be proud of. I think a lot of people do find addiction shameful and that's a shame in itself because it can prevent them getting help or giving support. On the other hand, being open about it can make others realise they're not alone. Congrats on your two years. You deserve to be proud.

Congratulations OP. What an achievement

Someone very close to me posts each and every sober milestone on FB, and as far as I know he's never had anything but positive comments.

I'd defriend and block your mum if I were you.

Congratulations OP. YANBU to share it, and YAalsoNBU to be upset by your dad. But you've dealt with it differently - a cry, a chat, and done. I think the people that struggle with hearing about it often have demons of their own, of some sort. I blogged a bit when I first got well and the people I got negativity from were those who present this glossy, glamorous life to the world with nothing real - I think it was difficult for them to know what to do with it. I don't know what they struggle with. In your dad's case you do and it's amazing that, with an alcoholic and a co-dependent parent, you have managed to get off the awful merry-go-round.

No don't be ashamed at all, it's shameful when people don't deal with it and don't give a flying fuck who they hurt or what they do. It's your FB, it's no big secret you were struggling and now you're on the other side. You're an adult so your Dad is beyond the point of telling you what to do! x

No don't be ashamed at all, it's shameful when people don't deal with it and don't give a flying fuck who they hurt or what they do. It's your FB, it's no big secret you were struggling and now you're on the other side. You're an adult so your Dad is beyond the point of telling you what to do! x

Most definitely not unreasonable. This is such a major achievement. Other people put up exam results, marathon times etc, so why can't you post your achievements?

Just a massive well done and congratulations. You're an absolute inspiration.

Thank you everyone. I have ordered my 2 years sober gold plated medallion to carry in my purse so I can celebrate my achievement every time I open it to buy something other than wine!

Well done

Ignore your ridiculous parents

My brother is around 3 years sober and off drugs. I am so very proud of him. He's a wonderful person. You should be proud. Really happy for you

Thank you everyone. I have ordered my 2 years sober gold plated medallion to carry in my purse so I can celebrate my achievement every time I open it to buy something other than wine!

Good for you - and post the picture of it to facebook

Congratulations - your achievements not only in your 2 year recovery but also in being able to see that it's your family that has issues and not you after their behaviours over such a long time period is brilliant, be very proud of yourself and never allow them to make you feel bad about what you have achieved

Well done, and thankyou for being open.
Every time someone shares their own experience with a situation , be it addiction, health issues, abuse, whatever, makes it a little bit easier for someone else to deal with their own.I had a drink problem a few years ago, and reading about someone elses experiences on a forum gave me courage and insight to do something about it.
Be proud, not only of your own achievements but being brave enough to share it.

For you OP

Your parents WBVU. What a shame they weren't celebrating your achievement with you. But as you said, they won't, because that would mean looking at their own behaviour. Don't let their selfish reaction bring you down on such a happy and positive day.

Be V. V. proud of what you've achieved. Have you got something nice for yourself planned? Like coffee and cake with good, supportive people?

Yes! Like other people have said, actually knowing that recovery is achievable gives other people struggling with dependency strength. They see the evidence, and know recovery is possible.

I've not rtft but wanted to say HUGE congratulations OP.
That is an amazing achievement. You are right to be proud

Definitely not unreasonable. Congratulations :D

I am three and a half years sober now and bloody shout it to the rooftops ( in a terribly English way of course) My mother is similar to your father. When I was going through years of utter hell drinking and self harming and generally being quite clearly unwell she was so embarrassed she could barely speak to me. Now I am sober and happy she is ,'very pleased' but still completely disinterested in why I drank or how my rubbish childhood may have had something to do with it!! I say go you and keep it up there

Fantastic achievement, ChickenVindaloo2

You are definitely not being unreasonable.

I am a recovering alcoholic too, and I have never felt brave enough to post it openly on Facebook, although people who know me well know and I have certainly alluded to it indirectly at times on FB.

I'm pretty certain my DF would dissuade me from mentioning it for the reasons you give about family, with the added incentive that it might affect my employment opportunities at a later date.

That's bollocks. Post what you like, and if anybody has a problem then sod them. Never be ashamed of who you are, and never let anybody underestimate the achievement of getting sober and staying sober. You are one of life's winners.

I might do the same on my Facebook when it's my sobriety birthday in August.

Thank you. got something in my eye

And well done to all of you on the same journey. Respect and love!

YANBU. I actually think it's quite important to be open about it. Firstly, so that other people who are struggling see that there is hope, and maybe get the courage to approach you and ask how you did it. And secondly, to help address the stigma about alcoholism. But, congratulations!