intention

If the Book says we have recovered, where does the term "in recovery" originate from?

Is recovery a process to go through or something we still live "in" once we have recovered?

Mark75

Now you went and done it, intention ...

I'm recovered, but I will continue a journey of self discovery and spirituality forever. And that's all good.

Mark

CarolD

Hmm....
In meetings....I begin my share with
"I'm Carol...an alcoholic" ...

I'm an AA recovered alcoholic who just came home from a meeting
where 21 of us shared about how to recover.

Ergo....I am in recovery.....

CStyle

We were talking about this recently at a mens big book studying that I am attending.

I think websters does a pretty good job of summing it up -

Main Entry: re·cov·er
Pronunciation: \ri-ˈkə-vər\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): re·cov·ered; re·cov·er·ing \-ˈkə-və-riŋ, -ˈkəv-riŋ\
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French recoverer, from Latin recuperare, from re- + *caperare, from Latin capere to take — more at heave
Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to get back : regain
2 a : to bring back to normal position or condition <stumbled, then recovered himself> b archaic : rescue
3 a : to make up for <recover increased costs through higher prices> b : to gain by legal process
4 archaic : reach
5 : to find or identify again <recover a comet>
6 a : to obtain from an ore, a waste product, or a by-product b : to save from loss and restore to usefulness : reclaimintransitive verb 1 : to regain a normal position or condition (as of health) <recovering from a cold>
2 : to obtain a final legal judgment in one's favor

Main Entry: recovering
Function: adjective
Date: 1977

: being in the process of overcoming a disorder or shortcoming <a recovering alcoholic> <a still-bookish recovering academic with a tendency to live in his head — Jon Spayde>

When it comes to alcohol, I am recovered. When it comes to living life on life terms I am recovering.

navysteve

Semantics...

What difference does the label make? The big book also calls us ex problem drinkers

RobbyRobot

Yeah same here, recovered from alcoholism drug addiction itself, and now spiritually and personally into lifetime sober recovery with a whole new human journey into a reborn life. Sweeeet!!

Music

Yes!!

tomvlll

hear hear.

onlythetruth

This "recovered" vs. "recovery" question is often batted about in forums like this, but in my view it's a semantic difference that means little. To my mind, the really significant word is "alcoholic". I don't find the label useful, so I do not call myself an alcoholic at all, recovering, recovered, or otherwise. I was once addicted to alcohol and am well aware that I cannot drink again without risking becoming re-addicted; that's all I need.

OTT

Boleo

Oh Boy! You have just opened a Pandora's Box in some circles.

I used to say I was "Recovered" because I had experienced the 10th step promise and was as far from my last drink as I would ever be.

But now I do as Carol does. I just say "MNI_&IMA alcoholic" so as not to interfere with Unity of the group.

Keep in mind that I can be "Recovered" from a gun-shot wound but that does not make me bullet-proof.

chrisinaustin

I'm not really saying anything new here, but in groups where someone who has had a spiritual awaking as a result of the steps and has had the obsession to drink lifted is "recovered", I'm recovered. In groups where that's "recovering", I'm recovering. In groups where that means I'm Barney the Purple Dinosaur, I'm a purple dinosaur.

What would be great to be able to say, because it's really what this whole thing has given and is about for me, is simply "I am."

barb dwyer

*copying Music*


yep.

Mark75

I'm sorry.... it's Friday nite and I am sober!

chrisinaustin

Well, there goes his anonymity...

Mark75

Lol

yeahgr8

Amongst us i don't care either way, talking to a non-alcoholic, e.g. new friend that asked, i would make a distinction between the two for the sake of making my explanation easier to understand if they really were interested...

Pinkcuda

The book says "Recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body"

The hopeless state of mind is "The mental Obsession"
The hopeless state of body is "The phenomonon of craving"

These conditions do not exist. Therefore "Recovered" is the word.

Keep in mind that it is only after we're '"recovered" that we can "relapse"

CStyle

I suffer from "terminal uniqueness" so knowing this about myself there are certain precautions that I take to keep from falling into its snare. One of those is when I share at an AA meeting, I say "My name is Chato and I am an alcoholic".

Music

Ah maaaaan!! Damn!! I didn't know Barney was a drunk! Y'all ruined my whole day. Thanks a lot!

intention

As usual, thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

I had no idea I was opening Pandora's box with this question. I just posted because I was consfused but, of course, I am now no longer confused on the subject