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Today I’d feel comfortable telling most sources I’m in recovery. I have not — to my knowledge — been punished for sharing. Quite the opposite. I find sources tend to let their guard down knowing a fact of my life that many keep secret.
Not every journalist feels able to be that open, which is probably the norm. If you must meet a source in a bar, here are some suggestions:
Arrive early. Order a drink before your source gets there. My go-to is soda water and lime — it looks legit and I’m rarely asked what I’m drinking. Pre-tip the server, letting them know you will always have another round if your source does too.
If they ask. If you order a non-alcoholic drink and the source asks why, be honest. But you don’t have to tell them your entire story. Some responses I’ve used:
- “I’m allergic.”
- “It doesn’t sit well with me.”
- “I enjoy drinking a little too much.” We laugh and the person usually moves on.
Mind your own business. No one wants to be judged for their drinking habits. If a source chooses to have more than one drink, I remind myself that I am the one with the problem. Plus, I have enough on my plate. I don’t need to waste time worrying about someone else’s drinking.
Leave. No source or scoop is worth losing your sobriety over. If you are feeling uncomfortable or triggered, excuse yourself, say, “I’m not feeling well,” and reschedule.
If you are in recovery, or just curious, reach out to the Journalists Recovery Network — a free resource to educate and empower journalists interested in sobriety. I serve as a mentor and I’m happy to listen or offer advice on how to navigate being a reporter while in recovery.
And if a source offers you tiger meat, just say no.
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