Matthew Perry was candid about his addiction His words are now part of his legacy.

There are exceptions to this, like if someone alludes to their own struggle with alcohol, and then I might offer up a bit more of my personal experience. You are a mirror now, a flashlight of sobriety in a society that is laced with the judgment that it’s abnormal to abstain from alcohol. People will assume you drink and will be very curious about why you don’t have a drink in your hand when they do. It’s part of the sobriety package, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sobriety can be an incredible way to shed relationships you’ve outgrown as well as find new ones that align with your new values. This isn’t to say that all of your friends will be threatened, or that all of your friendships will change.

I went to an addiction treatment facility with a program designed specifically for health care professionals. At the end of the extensive five-day evaluation, it was suggested that I stay for an extended period of time. I was told that if I did not follow the suggestions, it was likely that I would not be able to retain my license to practice medicine. I was in denial about the extent of my alcoholism — after all, I had been “sober” for more than three weeks prior to entering treatment — why couldn’t I just have outpatient treatment and continue to work?

Sober Story: Gen

I was shaped by alcohol; it will always be my center. For nearly six years now, I’ve been trying to sort all these heavy minutes, and I’ll never get through the backlog that trails behind me and nags that I’ve missed something. I’ve averaged five and a half hours of sleep a night since that spring when I finished my drinking.

I could start fresh in an apartment where I’d never vomited, miles from the bars. My Seattle apartment was behind a block of five of them. I liked them all, but most nights after work, I showed up at the dim tavern that had pull tabs and pool tables. By the end, I wasn’t drinking very much most nights. I’d split a 12-ounce bottle of cider between two jelly jars, one for drinking, the other for saving in the fridge for tomorrow.

Step 3: Find the Right Treatment Program

I held tight to faith that however bad I felt, sobriety was the only way to something better. At times, that can be a bigger lift sobriety stories than believing in God. What made it feel true was hearing it over and over from other people who had been there before.

And the fact of the matter is that now I don’t have the option to run away or not pay attention to something that’s bothering me. I have to be present and I have to self-reflect and commit to being a better person for the people around me. Alcoholism is a disease that affects relationships, not just the person suffering.

Sober Story: Dawn

“It was initially hard and I started out by ignoring social settings. But as my sober confidence grew, so… Financial troubles and problems finding and keeping employment are major triggers for relapse, but it is possible to take baby steps and get your finances in order. Just keep in mind that your improvements won’t happen overnight. Having a chaotic or disorganized lifestyle can also hinder your recovery.

It was my jumping-off point into a life I knew I had buried inside of me. I got out of debt, started a company that provides digital recovery, launched a podcast, and am in the middle of writing a book. It’s been over six years since I first started seriously questioning my relationship with alcohol and considered a life without it. That’s six hard, beautiful, glorious years during which I not only stopped drinking, but also finally moved on from all recreational drugs as well as a history of bulimia. If you don’t have a family or strong social circle to return to post formal treatment, a personalized plan may include interpersonal therapy, which can help you build a healthy social network.

So if you love someone with an unhealthy relationship with substances, please practice patience with their journey and remind them that you’re there for support. He interviews a mix of celebrity guests and everyday people who have experienced addiction or felt the impact of drug or alcohol use. He focuses on living a positive, healthy and sober lifestyle, and uses his podcast as a platform for sharing inspiration with others who want to live the same way. I think it’s important to be proud of being sober and to share your story.