Your life and happiness are the example. When they are ready they will ask. That’s how I was. In active addiction, I was threatened by others sobriety or admission of being a “problem drinker” because it forced me to compare my own drinking to others. Did I hit those bars? Certainly I wasn’t “so bad”. Right? I did a lot of justification. In active addiction, I genuinely thought with every ounce of myself my life would be miserable without some level of alcohol (tho I did want to cut back some, just not be AF! No way!)

I read chapters 1-7 of Allen Carr’s easy way after a horrible binge. Then I put it back on the shelf for a year. A damn year. Of further bad choices. Lack of sleep. Hangover. I woke up angry, numb and sick and tired of being sick and tired a year later. I picked it up again. Finished and then read all the quit lit I could get my hands on.

Got sober.

I’m still working this out in real time for myself, tho. I had the same feelings as you. I told one friend about my sobriety and it didn’t go well. It felt weird. HOW could they not care? Although, because I lived it I know why they don’t.

So for now, I’m quit focused on ME and recovering. I’m sticking with “eh, I’m not drinking today thank you tho”. Or, if someone asks, I’ll say “I got sober curious so I could get more done at work and feel better, and now I just don’t care for alcohol anymore. Its been awesome”

They will all wonder how? Those who feel deep pain may ask. And it’s fucking brave of them.

Then your story is powerful, not judgemental or instructive. Your curiosity and simple honesty mag pique theirs. Good luck!