One Month Abstinence Today :)
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 160
One Month Abstinence Today :)
One month down - 31 days. Quite frankly, it seems like more than a month.
I've had a thought lately around recovery. So, I'm in recovery. Is it ever used in the past tense - recovered?
If so, how will we know when we've reached that point?
I'm beginning to think there is no past tense - we're always in recovery. Here's my reasoning. I've known people to go years without a drink.
After 7 years, is one considered recovered? As if that's the final destination. One fellow, after the 7 years, relapsed and once again started on the road to recovery.
He probably wasn't recovered or was he?
Sort of reminds me of an old poem:
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't Fuzzy, was he?
Sorry....couldn't resist...childish act.
Enjoy the day.
I've had a thought lately around recovery. So, I'm in recovery. Is it ever used in the past tense - recovered?
If so, how will we know when we've reached that point?
I'm beginning to think there is no past tense - we're always in recovery. Here's my reasoning. I've known people to go years without a drink.
After 7 years, is one considered recovered? As if that's the final destination. One fellow, after the 7 years, relapsed and once again started on the road to recovery.
He probably wasn't recovered or was he?
Sort of reminds me of an old poem:
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't Fuzzy, was he?
Sorry....couldn't resist...childish act.
Enjoy the day.
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
It does become past tense......and you'll know it when you're there.
However, nothing's permanent - especially when dealing with alcoholism. Being "recoverED" is not the same as being "cured." Staying recovered requires some work - but it's "fun" work and the payoff is pretty darn cool (not to mention - the alternative will kill ya'
)
However, nothing's permanent - especially when dealing with alcoholism. Being "recoverED" is not the same as being "cured." Staying recovered requires some work - but it's "fun" work and the payoff is pretty darn cool (not to mention - the alternative will kill ya'
)
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 60
Congrats on 31 days! That's a feat not many accomplish these days. As far as recovered or recovering...I have no opinion. That's thinking about things I don't need to worry about. What matters is that I don't drink today.
Brian
Brian
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 2,405
Good for you on 1 month A!
I like that LaFemme, that is how I think of it also only you put it much better!
I feel I am "recovered", I have no desire to drink, I no longer have to work on not drinking, I never did any formal program but I did study recovery literature and the bible intensely the first year-- I no longer read any recovery stuff and only read the bible occassionally for pleasure. However, I also accept that even just 1 sip of alcohol could put me back in that deadly drunk pit so I do participate here on SR to remind me of where I've been and where I don't wish to ever go again.
Originally Posted by LaFemme 
Congrats!
I like to think of it as being in remission...we are cured, in a way, but we still need to be careful, if that makes sense:-)
I like to think of it as being in remission...we are cured, in a way, but we still need to be careful, if that makes sense:-)
I feel I am "recovered", I have no desire to drink, I no longer have to work on not drinking, I never did any formal program but I did study recovery literature and the bible intensely the first year-- I no longer read any recovery stuff and only read the bible occassionally for pleasure. However, I also accept that even just 1 sip of alcohol could put me back in that deadly drunk pit so I do participate here on SR to remind me of where I've been and where I don't wish to ever go again.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 426
I agree LaFemme with that. Always knowing that we have to be very careful and we are always going to get burned if we play with fire. It sucks that we have to go through life always thinking that....but the fact that we think that way, certainly says a lot about the progress we have made so far. Acceptance and awareness.
A work in progress
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,633
Oops, meant to congratulate you on your 31 days.
I think it's splitting hairs to worry about whether you are "recovered" or "recovering" once you get to a certain point. Unless everyone can agree on a definition of either, people can debate it endlessly.
I know *I* can't consider myself "recovered" at this point.
I think it's splitting hairs to worry about whether you are "recovered" or "recovering" once you get to a certain point. Unless everyone can agree on a definition of either, people can debate it endlessly.
I know *I* can't consider myself "recovered" at this point.
Heathen
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: La La Land, USA
Posts: 2,567
Congrats on the month.. I think we often get tripped up 'round here bout what constitutes recovery (in my opinion, I do not consider someone merely abstinent in any sort of recovery), much less the difference or implication of recovery versus recovered!! I have heard 'recovered' used in AA, but I don't use AA in my recovery so I'm not really sure!
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Hmmm.....Hi Everyone.....
You will find many threads on recovered vs recovery
if you do a Forum Search.....newer members may wish to do that.
Here is my experience....slightly different from most
Somewhere I got the notion that if I stayed sober
twice as long as I suffered from untreated alcoholism
I would be recovered.
For me that equated to 5+5=10 years.
Yes! around my 10 year AA anniversary
I simply knew I had recovered.
I will not return to drinking as long as I continue to use God and AA.
When I share in AA meetings....I introduce myself....
Carol here...alcoholic....because I am that as well...
On line I often say...non drinker... I am that too.
I don't mind what anyone else considers themselves to be.
I just know what I am......
You will find many threads on recovered vs recovery
if you do a Forum Search.....newer members may wish to do that.
Here is my experience....slightly different from most
Somewhere I got the notion that if I stayed sober
twice as long as I suffered from untreated alcoholism
I would be recovered.
For me that equated to 5+5=10 years.
Yes! around my 10 year AA anniversary
I simply knew I had recovered.
I will not return to drinking as long as I continue to use God and AA.
When I share in AA meetings....I introduce myself....
Carol here...alcoholic....because I am that as well...
On line I often say...non drinker... I am that too.
I don't mind what anyone else considers themselves to be.
I just know what I am......
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 160
Originally Posted by smacked
(in my opinion, I do not consider someone merely abstinent in any sort of recovery)
I'm in a self-process of rebuilding, repairing, and creating a whole new way.
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