Originally Posted by
LBrain 
But the stigma attached to the "alcoholic" continues long after alcohol is no longer part of the equation.
I think part of the reason for this is due to the science part of addiction, the limbic system and prefrontal cortex dysfunction that comes with alcoholic drinking.
I don't like stigmas of course, and it can be horribly unfair and damaging to the addict to have to face stigma regularly, especially for a recovered (or recovering) person.
But I think Robby makes some good points and oberservations, and for me, the "whole story" of whether I'm alcoholic or recovered isn't a simple one.