POSITIVE traits of a recovered alcoholic?
 

I want this to be a positive and encouraging thread... too many threads focus on the negatives, so.... what are some POSITIVE traits of being an ex-addict?

Wiser and more balanced than most of your average humans. :)

yeah I sometimes think some average non alcoholics could benefit from a few AA meatings lol.

I think one biggie is recoverying from it makes you stronger. being a recovered alcoholic is like my super power of sorts. I gotta wonder what life would be like if I had never been an alcoholic at all. it might just be mediocre now. not that that is bad but my recovery is why i do a lot of the things that i do.

So many things come to mind but the number one thing is reliability, should my kids (young adults) decide to fly home for a long weekend, I am good to go and do things with them, my dog who means everything to me gets to go to the beach every day and at least one good long walk, my better half can depend on me, I get things done and man my health even at the age of 53 is near perfect according to my doc.....just so many things, I love to cook meals from different countries which I do every weekend now etc.

Have a great weekend

Andrew

Lots of things. But probably the root of all of them is I feel SO much better about myself. That makes anything possible

I lost the obsession to drink, truly a miracle!!

Being able to fall asleep, have good dreams and waking up without any poison in my brain!! Nothing but peace and serenity!!

I love a good gratitude and positive vibe thread!! Good stuff!!

Hope you have a good weekend, friend!! I've been reading your post, you're growing!! Great to see!! Helps me stay sober!

Another huge thing for me, divorcing my alcoholic wife.. Ex wife, no booze = major savings $$$

I wake up each morning and put my feet on the floor solid.. and put a clear out look with a smile on .. Hello Day Time and Hello Life . we will have a Great Day Today.. drives a ton of people nuts.. but hey It's my life and I will be Sober and Happy... woot woot

Empathy and compassion

yeah not waking up each morning wishing you could just die already is a nice bonus too.

+1:scoregood

I feel that recovery has taught me to become a far more selfless person that I was , even before alcohol became a major problem.

I am becoming a much better person than I would have been if I had never been an alcoholic. Everything I do is about working on me. Being my best me. I would not be working on me without recovery.

Taught me that I don't have to drink over anything and that there is a way out of hell

All of these are good (but all aren't traits, specifically) - I'll go with what people observe in me and tell me:
I am a good listener.
I am patient and gentle.
I am supportive.
I am positive.
I get much less worked up about things than I used to, less bothers me.
I am fun.
I am careful with others' feelings, and respectful.

These are the kind of things Ihope to be and that I often feel I am much better at being, but seeing them reflected back to me from people close to me (or less close, but perhaps close in the work sense) is incredibly gratifying for my hard work. And it makes me want to keep improving as much as I can!

For me one of the big things I feel good about is my ability to empathise. In the line of work I'm hoping to be in soon, my relationship to alcohol and recovery will be an asset rather than a deficiency. As long as I stay recovered.

This is key to all of us, I believe!

knowing when to be apathetic. no seriously. because i used to get so wrapped up and obsessed with nonsense that simply didnt matter. i'd drive myself to drink over it.

Definitely :)

Being non judgmental

Truth.