Originally Posted by
Murray4x5 
Great attitude!
Some of those distractions can be darn near life threatening. In the argumentative phase of my recovery (the first 3 or 4 months) when I was actively sharing and defending my theories and choices, I was accused several times of not being a "real alcoholic".
Personally, I don't care if someone thinks that I'm not/wasn't a "real alcoholic". In fact, I reject that label. There is no DSM, APA or AMS diagnosis of "alcoholic", that term is a created label made popular by a program that I am not a member of. The fact is that I had dysfunctional beliefs, maladaptive behaviors and a destructive relationship with alcohol and I was diagnosed by a medical doctor as alcohol dependent. All past tense. I am now seven months sober, involved with SMART Recovery and happily looking at a future without alcohol being an all consuming part of it.