Why the acronyms?

[Tazman53]

The vast majority of us alcoholics here spell it out, you all call us A?

Why?

I spell it out because knowing this and spelling it out helps to remind me that I am an alcoholic and as a result I can not drink safely ever again.

Do you call us A to deride us?

To deny we are alcoholics?

Or is it because you would rather forget we are alcoholics?

[Astro]

I dunno Taz, I don't need a reminder that I'm an alcoholic, I'm fully aware of it every morning as soon as my eyes open.

I think it's just easier to use the lettering rather than writing out ex alcoholic husband, boyfriend, etc.

And besides, we can refer to the wonderful people in F&F as CF's (codie friends) or FAA's (fellow Al-Anoner's) or FC's (fellow codies), right?

Call me what you want, I'm an alcoholic and a codie through and through.

[Rella927]

Taz I believe that "mocking" (deride) someone for their disease is not what anyone in here is about!

Using A is actually not to offend any A-L-C-O-H-O-L-I-C-S

and it is a short cut!

INMO (see short cut) we are not here to deny anything but, rather help one another on our path's to recovery-forgetting is what we all want to do in some sort of way the behavior-at least.

Using A has nothing to do with deriding anyone!

As Astro stated there are short cuts for alot in here-nothing personal Taz

I also know that I'am a "codie" do not need any reminders of that!
(((Hugs Taz))))

[queenteree]

I thought it was a shortcut too, like like "IMHO" "BTW", etc.

[care4uNJ]

WOW, Taz -- that is a very thought-provoking question. Personally for me there isn't any other reason other than the fact that its just easier to type. And usually with the F&F site there is also something used after the "A" like boyfriend (BF), husband (H), sister (S), et.al. So to spell it out constantly takes too much time away from the real purpose of our posts.

Or... maybe with a 16-year old daughter I'm getting really great at abbreviating when texting!! HA!!

At any rate, there is no hidden meaning in it for me. But.... I can't speak for anyone else. I'd be curious to hear other views on this myself.

Again, an excellent question to make us think. Sort of like self-analysis ;-)

[kermit]

Just a short cut. nothing else to it

[MsGolightly]

i definitely do it as a shortcut ... i'm not denying anyone is an alcoholic. i had to live with it, i don't think denying it is even possible!

[elizabeth1979]

I think its used as a shortcut here, although I cant speak for anyone elses reasons really.

I personally dont believe I have the authority to call someone else an alcoholic.

I can say that someones drinking affetcs me negatively, but I think its the drinkers job to cateogrize them as that, not mine.

On a sidenote..I never referred to my ex as an alcoholic, until he referred to himself as one. He told anyone that would listen that he was, he used that as an excuse for his miserably disgusting behavior.

[chero]

Well, I don't know why, but maybe because we were supposed to be focusing on US and we've already spent so much time and energy on our As maybe it's just one way we can take a break!??!

[chero]

Really, I don't do it for any reason other than it's easier than typing out alcoholic.

[Tazman53]

LOL well a lot of good reasons for simply A.

It was simply curiosity, not to cause a fuss.

I personally dont believe I have the authority to call someone else an alcoholic.

Well, I don't know why, but maybe because we were supposed to be focusing on US and we've already spent so much time and energy on our As maybe it's just one way we can take a break!??!

The 2 replies above make perfect sense to me, I will not declare any one an alcoholic, but if some one tells me they are an alcoholic I will refer to them as such.

Alcoholic!!!! Man that was a disgusting word until I finally surrendered, now I use the word in all it's glory to remind myself that I can never again drink safely.

BTW I do love you all!

[Rella927]

Just like on some post we post Taz...it is just easier! LOL

[chero]

Taz, I'm glad you are here--you little alcoholic you!! does that make you feel better??

[Pick-a-name]

haha...laziness,partly.

Truthully, just the word "alcoholic" bristles up so many people in my extended family (and of course I wouldn't use the word to exAH directly anymore...what's the point?) so I like "A"; also stands for "addict" for when he throws pills,etc into the mix!

p.s. for a second this reminded me of "alcoholic-exhusband" how an innocent word or gesture could/canget turned around to being viewed as a purposeful attack on him and his character..."picking on him" again..
Thanks for being here and sharing,Taz!

[Zoey]

Tazman
I agree, glad you are here, we need recovering alcoholics here.
LV YA

[Pick-a-name]

p.s. Of course I'd rather forget exAH is an "A" () He's still drinking and reaping havoc in his life and our family....it's hard to know someone you love is destroying themselves and there is nothing anyone else can do to stop that than to stay out of his way (and pray).

[CE Girl]

I call him an A cause its easier than typing arsewhole

Peace

[Astro]

Originally Posted by CE Girl

I call him an A cause its easier than typing arsewhole

Hmm, guess it's better than being a QA (quacking arsewhole) ;-)

[CE Girl]

And its WAY better than being a "QAH"

Thank the spirits I didn't MARRY the dude!!!

Sorry, I'm having a tough day

Peace

[SaTiT]

I call her A becuase she's an angle..
or my gf...mmm she my Greatest Fear...lmao

[best]

Taz
When I think of my past and how I acted when I was drinking... Calling me an "A" fit perfect *LOL*

I find that acronyms make for less typing and for me, less wondering if I am spelling things right *LOL*
You type enough and I am told that your fingerprints will say QWERTY *LOL*

[dobiediva]

I have a different reason: My alcoholic boyfriend's name starts with "A" so I use the letter to protect his identity. When I say "ABF" its just a shortcut, but when I simply say "A" I am referring to his name.

[hopeangel]

from being around someone that will not admit they are an alcoholic and get upset or offended when you use the term.

notice that most of the time i type out the full word alcoholic (except when i am tired or replying fast? helps me face the reality of the situation. had enough of the living in denial. of course, i'm not one to skirt around issues. i call it as i see it

[an'ka]

Saves time, Taz. No double meaning, as far as I'm concerned.

[cmc]

Taz,
In a meeting some people may say "my qualifier" and that is just a way for the anoner to maintain privacy and sometimes anonymity too...maybe they don't want to reveal that their qualifier is a son, husband, boss....etc.
I would have to say that I am my own qualifier...I don't need somebody else to qualify as an codie! Qualifiers are easy to find- people, places and things are everywhere. So for me to say A for Alcoholic or Addict here...it's just an fyi thing to explain my situation properly. Personally I still find some of the acronyms terribly confusing!
Good question and I'm glad you brought it up!