Recovery at work: what to say when social drinking is encouraged

Workplaces still often include social drinking at events, and people in recovery can find those settings daunting. Treatment professionals and a former lawyer quoted in the article say many colleagues are less concerned than expected and that setting boundaries and non-drinking options have become more visible.

Many workplaces continue to include social drinking at events such as happy hours, corporate parties and client meetings. For people in recovery from alcohol addiction, those settings can feel uncomfortable and raise concerns about being judged or hampering a career. Talking about sobriety with managers and colleagues is often awkward. Treatment professionals and people who have worked while sober report that navigating these situations is a common challenge. Key points: - Social drinking remains a feature of many workplace events, including after-work gatherings and client meetings. - People in recovery may worry about judgment or career consequences when alcohol is encouraged at work functions. - Lisa Smith, a former lawyer who recovered from drug and alcohol addiction, said she prioritized her sobriety and noted that refusing drinks often drew less attention than she expected; she also said "No" can be a complete sentence. - Younger workers and the wider availability of mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages have helped normalize not drinking, and some people in recovery manage relationships by skipping uncomfortable events or following up later in other settings. Summary: Social drinking at work can complicate everyday interactions for employees in recovery and can lead to personal adjustments in how they engage with colleagues. Undetermined at this time.