Sister makes judgment and refuses to listen

But you can take your approach a step further by turning your response into a question. “I have asked you to drop it. I have said I am not concerned. And yet you keep pressuring me about this. So I’m asking you now: What will it take for you to stop pressuring me about this?”

If she responds by refusing to drop it, then you have one more arrow in the quiver:

“Has is occurred to you that I have my own reasons for not sharing your concerns about this, and that I have simply chosen not to confide in you? For good reasons? And that maybe you should trust me to handle my own personal life?”

If she responds again by refusing to drop it, it’s time to implement the hang up or walk away response. Make a statement to her beforehand, though, so there’s no room for doubt about what you are doing: “I have tried to make it clear to you that your further involvement in this is not welcome. I feel I have no choice now but to hang up or walk away when you bring it up.”

Sigh.

To: Suspicions: Thank you. There have been times when my professional life and my sobriety life cross paths. I attended a “Christ-centered” program, so I can always say “a friend from church,” but it is a delicate path to not “out” a brother or sister in recovery. I applaud your efforts to keep the sanctity of confidentiality when the truth could take the heat off. Bless you for your compassion! And you for yours, thank you.