Recovering or Recovered?

[Pythonpappy]

Hey everybody, my name's Roger and I'm an alcoholic!

I was just thinking ... I know, I know, that can be counter-productive for me sometimes, but ... Ya know?, it seems that we have a variety of members that introduce themselves in different ways ... not that that makes a dittly-squat difference to me in a meeting ... just curious how and why you introduce yourself the way you do!

Here's a few examples:

Hi, my name's Roger and I'm an alcoholic!

Hi, my name's Roger and I'm a 'recovering' alcoholic!

Hi, my name's Roger and I'm a 'recovered' alcoholic!

Hi, I'm an alcoholic and my problem is Roger!

Hi, my name's Roger and I'm here because I don't want to ever have to drink again!

Hi, my name's Roger and I've no idea if I belong here or not!

Hi, I don't have a clue as to who I am and whether I'm in the right place or not!


Heard any of these before? ... Got some that I forgot? ... Anyway, let me start off by saying that Bill W. did in fact write about being a recovered alcoholic ... AND he also wrote that we'll remain alcoholic til our deaths ...

What I get from the BB is that we can recover from the disease of craving alcohol and put to rest the old self and all that goes with that, and become new persons ... During the early days of our recovery, I suppose it could be said that we're 'recovering' alkies ...

So how can you be a 'recovered' alcoholic and yet still be an alcoholic? ... Can we say I'm an alcoholic or I'm an inactive alcoholic? ... Which is more appropriate? ...

Personally, I don't care how you view yourself and it's none of my business as long as you're coming to meetings and trying your best to live the principles of the program ... But I have to be honest, I used to take issue at why certain people came across as pompous uh ... uh .... 'know-it-alls' and like 'I got it' and you don't kind of attitudes ... It kinda' turned me off ... Am I the only one? ... just curious ... I mean think about it, for me, I've accepted the fact that I'm an alcoholic ... and even though I haven't had a drink in nearly four years, does that mean I'm recovered? ... I know that if I 'let-up' on the program and rest on my laurels, then I risk going back out ... does that mean I never recovered fully?

I'm just saying that if I introduce myself as a recovered alcoholic, then stop working my program and drink again, then how could I have stated that I had recovered to start with?

Any of you out there see just how nuts I am?


Pappy

[admin]

There are those who introduce themselves by saying Hi, I am ________. I am a "real" alcoholic.

So what does that make the rest of us?

[Pythonpappy]

Thanks bluidkti, I forgot that one ... and you're absolutely correct ... What's that make the rest of us? ...

[schell08122008]

I consider myself a recovering alcoholic..though in the BB it says we are recovered from a hopeless state of mind and body...that is true as long as we work a program of recovery and action..the disease can only be held in remission while we are taking the next right action..When I go to meetings, do service work, and talk to other alcoholics I do feel recovered from that hopeless state I was in..I feel it when I don't take the actions, however..If I let myself continue on that downward spiral without picking up the spiritual kit laid at my feet..I know from experience I will eventually pick up a drink..that was always my solution when I felt hopeless...We have been given the gift of a program of recovery..we can choose to use it or not..I will never be recovered from the disease of alcoholism, only that hopeless state of mind and body..if I work it. Peace Schell

[soberone]

I consider myself a recovering alcoholic..though in the BB it says we are recovered from a hopeless state of mind and body...that is true as long as we work a program of recovery and action..the disease can only be held in remission while we are taking the next right action..When I go to meetings, do service work, and talk to other alcoholics I do feel recovered from that hopeless state I was in..I feel it when I don't take the actions, however..If I let myself continue on that downward spiral without picking up the spiritual kit laid at my feet..I know from experience I will eventually pick up a drink..that was always my solution when I felt hopeless...We have been given the gift of a program of recovery..we can choose to use it or not..I will never be recovered from the disease of alcoholism, only that hopeless state of mind and body..if I work it. Peace Schell

Exactly the way i feel about it too! :1:

[soberone]

I love to share my zest for life and share my gratitude. When I make a new discovery in life that I am amazed at, I love to share it also. Even though others probably already know all about it, I'm still so thrilled I want to share the goodness of it all.

The longer I'm sober, the more excited I get over certain things. Like the other day when a bald eagle was perched on a branch in one of the trees in our front yard. My wife got a few good pictures of it. Things like that excite me so much I feel almost child-like with excitement and I want to share those wonderful moments with everyone. It's indescribable and I see it as one of God's gift's. It has nothing to do with the length of time in sobriety nor am I trying to prove anything to anyone. It's just me not being afraid to show my child-like side and the thrill and excitement I have for life and all of God's gifts.

But something on my mind often is this: Even though I'm sober at this very moment, Alcoholism is right outside my door doing pushups and there-in lies hell. There's no seniority in AA and I'll always have clay feet.

Recovered or recovering, I'll always be learning and sharing my gratitude in life's journey. I do know one thing and that is I am so grateful that I was not "too smart" for this program when I came in.


i'm Grateful i learned NOT to be too smart after i came BACK! :lol:

[Pythonpappy]

Oh Crap, ... now I feel really stupid! ... HeeHee

Good to know some us weren't 'too smart' for the program ... and were able to get 'with it' early on ...

I hate to admit this, but I felt I WAS too smart for the program (like 'Soberone' alluded too)... I came to AA in 1995 ... didn't do or learn the steps til '08 ... THEN ... I realize just how 'dumb' I really was ... Ha!

Today I see myself as a child in the program ... and like a child, I see and learn with wonderment in my eyes, the glory that's God's ... what a blessed life this can be ...

Thank you Papa for your patience with me over the years, and especially for keeping your door open for me to find my true home,
Pappy

[tomsteve]

i'm tom, addicted alcoholic. i'll let you do the work and figger out why i say it. i have recovered from the hopeless state of mind that made me drink, however i have a daily repreive contigent on the maintenence of my spiritual condition. more important for me is i am not just dry, i am sober.

[Laura]

Just read PG 20 and decide if you're a real alcoholic ...then you can introduce yourself that way if you want.

[MajestyJo]

My friend use to say "I'm an alcoholic and my problem is Gini!"

Another friend always said, "My name is Gord, I'm here because I am not all there."

The last time I spoke, I said, "My name is JoAnne, I'm and alcoholic whose drug of choice is more."

Also hear a lot, " My name is..., I have a desire not to drink in today."

[MajestyJo]

I do recover from that hopeless state of mind and body. I do not recover from my disease but can recover from my dis-ease by working this program, one day at a time.

That next drink is only an arms length away. It is conditional on my connection to my God as to whether I reach out and pick it up.

[jonesg]

A guy told me "I really resent recovered alcoholics."

I said , don't worry you'll never be one.:wink: