Well I think there is a big difference between 'recovered' and 'in recovery'. The former has the meaning of an act that has been accomplished, that is to say, I am no longer drinking alcohol, therefore for me alcohol is no longer a powerful force in my life as I live it now. But 'in recovery' has connotations of on-going struggles with alcohol, although the person is sober they are in some sense still trapped by alcohol. It's still a huge presence even by virtue of its absence (if you know what I mean, the elephant in the room so to speak)! Perhaps this issue sums up the difference between RR/AVRT and AA.