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Episode 35: Creating Sober-Positive Workplaces: A Conversation with DeAnn Knighton
How to Support Sobriety at Work and Foster a More Inclusive Environment
Workplaces have long centered social interactions around alcohol—team happy hours, celebratory toasts, and networking events where drinking is the norm. But for many professionals, especially those in recovery or who simply choose sobriety, this culture can feel exclusionary. How can we make workplaces more inclusive for everyone, regardless of their drinking choices?
In a recent episode of the Sober Life Rocks podcast, we sat down with DeAnn Knighton, President of Show Up and Stay, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the recovery gap. DeAnn is also the host of a podcast series on addiction, recovery, and workplace culture. Her latest mission? Helping companies create Sober-Positive Workplaces—environments where employees who don’t drink feel just as included and supported as those who do.
Let’s explore DeAnn’s journey, the challenges she faced as a sober professional, and her insights on transforming workplace culture for the better.
DeAnn’s Sobriety Journey: From Drinking to Thriving
Like many, DeAnn turned to alcohol as a way to cope. At first, she believed that if she could just fix external stressors—work pressures, personal struggles, life’s daily challenges—she wouldn’t need to drink. But eventually, she realized alcohol wasn’t just a stress reliever; it was a way to numb deeper pain.
Her turning point came during a Dry January challenge. Expecting little more than a temporary health reset, she was surprised to find herself feeling clearer, more focused, and truly present in her life. What started as a month-long experiment turned into a lasting commitment to sobriety. But while sobriety improved her personal well-being, it opened new challenges in her professional life—especially in workplace environments where drinking was the norm.
The Challenges of Being Sober at Work
Sobriety brought DeAnn clarity and energy, but it also highlighted the ways in which workplaces revolve around alcohol. Socializing with colleagues, networking, and even celebrating team wins often meant drinking.
One of the most uncomfortable experiences for DeAnn was organizing company events that revolved around alcohol. As the person responsible for planning, she found herself purchasing drinks for colleagues—an awkward and isolating task for someone in recovery. She realized she wasn’t alone. Many professionals who are sober, whether in recovery or by choice, feel similarly out of place in workplace culture.
For those in recovery, work-related drinking events aren’t just uncomfortable—they can be triggering. Even for those who aren’t in recovery but simply don’t drink, these events can create unnecessary social pressure. This realization fueled DeAnn’s mission to create workplaces that are truly inclusive for everyone, whether they drink or not.
What Is a Sober-Positive Workplace?
A Sober-Positive Workplace isn’t just a company that allows employees to abstain from drinking—it actively supports and normalizes sobriety.
Many sober employees don’t openly share their choice for fear of being judged, excluded, or seen as “not fun.” This silent struggle creates a hidden workplace divide. A truly inclusive workplace ensures that sobriety is respected and that social events don’t alienate those who don’t drink.
Key Elements of a Sober-Positive Workplace:
Creating this kind of culture isn’t just about accommodating a minority—it’s about making the workplace better for everyone. When alcohol isn’t the centerpiece of social events, employees connect on a deeper level, and no one feels pressured to drink to fit in.
The Hidden Struggles of Being “Secretly Sober” at Work
DeAnn shared a powerful truth: Many employees are secretly sober.
Some are in recovery, quietly navigating a world that still stigmatizes addiction. Others may have chosen sobriety for health, personal, or religious reasons but hesitate to mention it at work.
This secrecy can lead to isolation. Employees may avoid work events altogether, missing out on networking opportunities and career growth simply because they don’t want to be put in an uncomfortable situation.
DeAnn believes it’s time for companies to actively support sobriety, not just tolerate it. That means shifting the mindset around alcohol in professional settings.
How to Create a Sober-Positive Workplace Culture
Want to make your workplace more inclusive for sober employees? Here are DeAnn’s top recommendations:
1. Offer Thoughtful Non-Alcoholic Options
Water and soda are fine, but let’s be real—they’re not exciting alternatives. Companies can do better by providing mocktails, non-alcoholic beers, and craft sodas that make non-drinkers feel included rather than like an afterthought.
2. Rethink Social Events
Instead of defaulting to happy hours, consider hosting events that aren’t centered around alcohol. Think about activities that promote real connection—cooking classes, wellness retreats, escape rooms, or team-building experiences that don’t require a drink in hand.
3. Normalize Sobriety
Companies should foster an open dialogue about sobriety. This can be as simple as leaders acknowledging that not everyone drinks, making it clear that all choices are welcome. Employees should feel comfortable declining a drink without having to explain why.
4. Create Support Systems
Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that include counseling and recovery resources can be a game-changer. Encouraging workplace sobriety support groups or mentorship programs also helps employees feel less alone.
5. Educate Leadership
Leaders set the tone. Managers should be trained on how to create inclusive environments that respect different lifestyles. This means understanding the challenges sober employees face and taking active steps to ensure they feel welcome.
Breaking the Stigma: Making Sobriety a Strength, Not a Secret
One of DeAnn’s most important messages? Sobriety isn’t something to hide—it’s something to celebrate.
Companies that embrace a Sober-Positive Workplace culture don’t just support employees in recovery; they create an environment where everyone can thrive. When sobriety is seen as just another lifestyle choice rather than something unusual, workplaces become more inclusive, diverse, and connected.
The Future of Sober-Positive Workplaces
DeAnn’s work at Show Up and Stay is more than just a mission—it’s a movement. As more professionals embrace sobriety, whether for recovery or personal reasons, workplaces need to evolve.
By making simple but meaningful changes—offering better non-alcoholic options, shifting social norms, and fostering open discussions—companies can create workplaces where everyone feels valued, regardless of their drinking choices.
At Sober Life Rocks, we believe in a future where sobriety is not only accepted but celebrated. If you’re interested in learning more, check out DeAnn’s work at Show Up and Stay and her podcast series on Sober-Positive Workplaces. Together, we can create workplaces where sober professionals don’t just survive—they thrive.
Stay Connected with DeAnn:
www.showupandstay.org
www.soberpositiveworkplace.org
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sober-positive-workplace/?viewAsMember=true
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deann-knighton2079
The post Episode 35: Creating Sober-Positive Workplaces: A Conversation with DeAnn Knighton first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.
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By Sober Life RocksHow to Support Sobriety at Work and Foster a More Inclusive Environment
Workplaces have long centered social interactions around alcohol—team happy hours, celebratory toasts, and networking events where drinking is the norm. But for many professionals, especially those in recovery or who simply choose sobriety, this culture can feel exclusionary. How can we make workplaces more inclusive for everyone, regardless of their drinking choices?
In a recent episode of the Sober Life Rocks podcast, we sat down with DeAnn Knighton, President of Show Up and Stay, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the recovery gap. DeAnn is also the host of a podcast series on addiction, recovery, and workplace culture. Her latest mission? Helping companies create Sober-Positive Workplaces—environments where employees who don’t drink feel just as included and supported as those who do.
Let’s explore DeAnn’s journey, the challenges she faced as a sober professional, and her insights on transforming workplace culture for the better.
DeAnn’s Sobriety Journey: From Drinking to Thriving
Like many, DeAnn turned to alcohol as a way to cope. At first, she believed that if she could just fix external stressors—work pressures, personal struggles, life’s daily challenges—she wouldn’t need to drink. But eventually, she realized alcohol wasn’t just a stress reliever; it was a way to numb deeper pain.
Her turning point came during a Dry January challenge. Expecting little more than a temporary health reset, she was surprised to find herself feeling clearer, more focused, and truly present in her life. What started as a month-long experiment turned into a lasting commitment to sobriety. But while sobriety improved her personal well-being, it opened new challenges in her professional life—especially in workplace environments where drinking was the norm.
The Challenges of Being Sober at Work
Sobriety brought DeAnn clarity and energy, but it also highlighted the ways in which workplaces revolve around alcohol. Socializing with colleagues, networking, and even celebrating team wins often meant drinking.
One of the most uncomfortable experiences for DeAnn was organizing company events that revolved around alcohol. As the person responsible for planning, she found herself purchasing drinks for colleagues—an awkward and isolating task for someone in recovery. She realized she wasn’t alone. Many professionals who are sober, whether in recovery or by choice, feel similarly out of place in workplace culture.
For those in recovery, work-related drinking events aren’t just uncomfortable—they can be triggering. Even for those who aren’t in recovery but simply don’t drink, these events can create unnecessary social pressure. This realization fueled DeAnn’s mission to create workplaces that are truly inclusive for everyone, whether they drink or not.
What Is a Sober-Positive Workplace?
A Sober-Positive Workplace isn’t just a company that allows employees to abstain from drinking—it actively supports and normalizes sobriety.
Many sober employees don’t openly share their choice for fear of being judged, excluded, or seen as “not fun.” This silent struggle creates a hidden workplace divide. A truly inclusive workplace ensures that sobriety is respected and that social events don’t alienate those who don’t drink.
Key Elements of a Sober-Positive Workplace:
Creating this kind of culture isn’t just about accommodating a minority—it’s about making the workplace better for everyone. When alcohol isn’t the centerpiece of social events, employees connect on a deeper level, and no one feels pressured to drink to fit in.
The Hidden Struggles of Being “Secretly Sober” at Work
DeAnn shared a powerful truth: Many employees are secretly sober.
Some are in recovery, quietly navigating a world that still stigmatizes addiction. Others may have chosen sobriety for health, personal, or religious reasons but hesitate to mention it at work.
This secrecy can lead to isolation. Employees may avoid work events altogether, missing out on networking opportunities and career growth simply because they don’t want to be put in an uncomfortable situation.
DeAnn believes it’s time for companies to actively support sobriety, not just tolerate it. That means shifting the mindset around alcohol in professional settings.
How to Create a Sober-Positive Workplace Culture
Want to make your workplace more inclusive for sober employees? Here are DeAnn’s top recommendations:
1. Offer Thoughtful Non-Alcoholic Options
Water and soda are fine, but let’s be real—they’re not exciting alternatives. Companies can do better by providing mocktails, non-alcoholic beers, and craft sodas that make non-drinkers feel included rather than like an afterthought.
2. Rethink Social Events
Instead of defaulting to happy hours, consider hosting events that aren’t centered around alcohol. Think about activities that promote real connection—cooking classes, wellness retreats, escape rooms, or team-building experiences that don’t require a drink in hand.
3. Normalize Sobriety
Companies should foster an open dialogue about sobriety. This can be as simple as leaders acknowledging that not everyone drinks, making it clear that all choices are welcome. Employees should feel comfortable declining a drink without having to explain why.
4. Create Support Systems
Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that include counseling and recovery resources can be a game-changer. Encouraging workplace sobriety support groups or mentorship programs also helps employees feel less alone.
5. Educate Leadership
Leaders set the tone. Managers should be trained on how to create inclusive environments that respect different lifestyles. This means understanding the challenges sober employees face and taking active steps to ensure they feel welcome.
Breaking the Stigma: Making Sobriety a Strength, Not a Secret
One of DeAnn’s most important messages? Sobriety isn’t something to hide—it’s something to celebrate.
Companies that embrace a Sober-Positive Workplace culture don’t just support employees in recovery; they create an environment where everyone can thrive. When sobriety is seen as just another lifestyle choice rather than something unusual, workplaces become more inclusive, diverse, and connected.
The Future of Sober-Positive Workplaces
DeAnn’s work at Show Up and Stay is more than just a mission—it’s a movement. As more professionals embrace sobriety, whether for recovery or personal reasons, workplaces need to evolve.
By making simple but meaningful changes—offering better non-alcoholic options, shifting social norms, and fostering open discussions—companies can create workplaces where everyone feels valued, regardless of their drinking choices.
At Sober Life Rocks, we believe in a future where sobriety is not only accepted but celebrated. If you’re interested in learning more, check out DeAnn’s work at Show Up and Stay and her podcast series on Sober-Positive Workplaces. Together, we can create workplaces where sober professionals don’t just survive—they thrive.
Stay Connected with DeAnn:
www.showupandstay.org
www.soberpositiveworkplace.org
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sober-positive-workplace/?viewAsMember=true
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deann-knighton2079
The post Episode 35: Creating Sober-Positive Workplaces: A Conversation with DeAnn Knighton first appeared on Sober Life Rocks.