Works

 If someone tells me they are "something" such as an actor, sober, engineer, parent, I will ask them what they do.  And I might watch what they do.  Works, not words define a person.  Even Jesus said to disbelievers, "Look at the works that I do."  If a parent, I ask about family and what you do in the family.  I don't believe people who simply say they are "sober" until I see some action, some works.  Just because you are not drinking at the moment does not make you sober any more than reading about acting or engineering makes you one.  Just because you know how to cook or bake does not make you a cook or a baker.