If someone is in addiction recovery do they have to tell people they are in recovery before they make amends to them?

I had a friend (an ex bf actually) from a looooooooong time ago reconnect with me on social media. He apologized for being an awful person in the past. When I asked him about his kids he told me they were with their mom across the country which I thought was odd. He told me his “life coach” said to focus on the fact they are safe that’s all that matters, which I also thought was odd. He also mentioned that he spoke to his “life coach” about me which is also odd to me bc he never seemed the type to get a “life coach” and why would he be talking about me after all this time when I’ve moved on and am indifferent to him?

I suspect it was all a 12 step program directive and this life coach is actually a sponsor.

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BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

Block him, if he’s in recovery that’s great but you don’t need him and you’re not obligated to him. It sounds a bit fishy to me.

DoubleRings · 51-55, F

He hasn’t been a nuisance or anything. In fact that’s another thing that makes it weird. It’s like he only contacted me to apologize out of nowhere which makes me think even more, it’s related to recovery. @BackyardShaman

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

I’d say keep your guard up at least, even if recovering, his old habits
(using people) will be difficult for him to break.@DoubleRings

Graylight · 51-55, F

@BackyardShaman Not so, not always. Give me a person in strong recovery any day of the week over the most well-bred individual in town. All the bullshit's been washed away.

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

Hopefully@Graylight

Northguy1 · 61-69, M

@BackyardShaman Yours is the kind of stigma that makes recovery more difficult than it already is. There are countless studies you can find on the internet, conducted by major institutions, that have found that 12-step programs are as effective as one-on-one behavioral cognitive therapy. The people in recovery who are dedicated to recovery will, in fact, change.

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

@Northguy1 I did not dispute what you’re saying, this person apparently is “an ex boyfriend from a looooong time ago”, thus the OP here doesn’t need to be brought into this.