19/08/2026
I know I said five, but it’s actually six things you should never say to somebody who has stopped drinking! 😂
Some of them might sound harmless. You may even think you’re being funny, sympathetic or reassuring but to someone in early sobriety, they can land very differently.
“Oh, I didn’t realise you were an alcoholic.”
“Go on, you can just have one.”
“What? You’re never drinking again?”
“Oh no, really? I’m sorry to hear that.”
“So does that mean you won’t be coming to the pub anymore?”
“But you were always such good fun when you drank.”
I think many of us have responded awkwardly when somebody has told us they’ve stopped drinking. I know I have.
Often, their decision makes us think about our own drinking. It holds up a mirror and, without us even realising it, that discomfort can come out in what we say.
It was never really about them. It was about us.
So if somebody tells you they’ve stopped drinking and you don’t know what to say, try this:
“Good for you.”
No questions.
No labels.
No pressure.
Just support.
What did somebody say to you in early sobriety?
Let us know in the comments.
Save or share this with someone who needs to hear it.
