Shorter than you think, and on your terms: “I've stopped drinking. I'm not making a thing of it, but I wanted you to know.” One sentence, warm and flat, no reasons attached — reasons invite negotiation. Tell the important people individually, on a calm day, and let the rest find out by watching.
“I've stopped drinking. I'm not making a thing of it, but I wanted you to know.” That is the whole announcement. It informs without inviting debate, it is warm without apologizing, and it ends the press conference before it begins.
Long explanations hand people handles: 'I was drinking too much' invites 'you weren't that bad'; 'doctor's orders' invites questions; 'I'm an alcoholic' invites opinions. You owe none of it. A fact about your life, stated like weather, is enough.
Close friends: individually, in person or by voice, before the next event with drinks. Add one ask: 'when they offer, back me up.' Most people are relieved to have a role.
Family: expect projection — your change reads as a mirror to some of them. Same sentence, plus a boundary if pushed: 'I'm not debating it. I'm telling you so it's not weird at dinner.'
Work: you need even less. 'I don't drink' covers ninety percent of professional life. Nobody at the office is owed your recovery.
The people you used with: the truest and shortest version — 'I've stopped. I'm not making a thing of it, but I'm not drinking.' Watch what they do with it. The friends who matter adjust within a week.
Most people are briefly awkward and then fine — your announcement is a bigger event in your head than in theirs. A few will push: 'one won't hurt.' That is about them, not you; the refusal script handles it. And a few will surprise you with 'me too, honestly' or 'I've been thinking about it.' You will not know who until you say it.
The Rehearsal lets you run the scene — the push, the questions, your line — before you have it for real, in private.
If you are thinking of ending your life, or you are not safe where you are, stop reading and reach a person instead. These lines are free, confidential, and answered at any hour.