Around two years ago, my partner and I went through a messy breakup as he was struggling with mental health/substance use issues. I leaned on friends and family heavily for support, and everyone who is close to me knows a fair amount about the situations leading up to the breakup.

Well, he got sober and has been sober for > 1 year now. He's doing much better in terms of his mental health. We are potentially going to get back together, and he is planning to attend a milestone event in my life that my family and some close friends will also be attending. The event is in less than a month.

My friends and family really do not like him. They mostly do not yet know that he is a part of my life again, and I need to tell them. I believe everyone can be civil at the event, but it's going to be uncomfortable. They know the good things I saw in him, but the bad things definitely made a bigger impression.

Any advice for breaking this news to them? Has anyone had experience getting back together with someone their friends/family disapproved of and rehabilitating their partner's reputation?

Thank you for your thoughts!