Originally Posted by
PhoenixJ 
I hear some people call themselves recovered alcoholics. I am a recovering alcoholic. Long term? That equals not drinking up to that point. The term bears importance, yes- but a label I fear some in my experience use to gain admiration to stroke their ego. Some- not all.
Ego stroking or not. 5+ years is an accomplishment that a very small percentage make it to. The knowledge gained in multiple years of sobriety is invaluable. I have multiple mentors with 20+ Years and I will credit their experience, knowledge, advice as being a corner stone of my recovery. They have gone before me. Through their failures they kept me from making the same mistakes. They have shown me how to have a balanced and happy life. I want what they have and you darn well better believe I listen to what they have to say.
Life has a very nasty habit of throwing some very bad curves at us and to have people that have made it through some very tough times sober is a resource not to be ignored