Labeling yourself as an "addict/alcoholic"...
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 20,458
I call myself a blonde, I call myself a successful happy human being...
my friends know I have an addictive, nature,(they have seen my obsessive coffee creamer collection)
i'm a type A personality (which a swirl of procrastination thrown in for cleaning closets).
We may be alcoholics and addicts, but we are so much more than that too.
my friends know I have an addictive, nature,(they have seen my obsessive coffee creamer collection)
i'm a type A personality (which a swirl of procrastination thrown in for cleaning closets).
We may be alcoholics and addicts, but we are so much more than that too.
First off im not bashing NA or AA because I know for a lot of people, that's what works for them.. But for some reason I always found it kind of degrading to label my self as an addict... I mean yeah I have a problem with drugs, but I don't see the need to label my self or anyone else anything other than a human being.. it's almost as if it makes me feel "less than" the "average" person..
maybe it's because I've never really liked labels for anything :p
Idk, maybe I sound crazy lol but anyone else relate? or have any advice on how to get past this?
thanks
maybe it's because I've never really liked labels for anything :p
Idk, maybe I sound crazy lol but anyone else relate? or have any advice on how to get past this?
thanks
If it is a problem for you, just go down the AVRT route. They don't recommend you call yourself an addict, for good reasons. Worth a look if you haven't already x
Being labeled an addict/alcoholic was a lot less degrading than defendant, mental patient, drop out, criminal, patient, overdose victim, etc., etc.. It's funny how I never cared about labels until I started to clean up. The scariest thing was once I labeled myself an addict, it turned the responsibility of cleaning myself up to me.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 192
In the past I didn't care to label myself alcoholic. I knew I had a drinking problem, knew I tended to drink too much.
But then I always went back to drinking.
This time around I am embracing the term alcoholic for myself. It's an easy way for me to put it and doesn't try to sugarcoat my drinking. I remind myself daily. And, I said that I was when I went to the two AA meetings this past week.
When offered a drink I am not saying, "no I am an alcoholic".
But I know. And, for me it's important that I never forget it.
I do think lots of people can get sober without labeling themselves an addict/alcoholic.
I apparently could not.
But then I always went back to drinking.
This time around I am embracing the term alcoholic for myself. It's an easy way for me to put it and doesn't try to sugarcoat my drinking. I remind myself daily. And, I said that I was when I went to the two AA meetings this past week.
When offered a drink I am not saying, "no I am an alcoholic".
But I know. And, for me it's important that I never forget it.
I do think lots of people can get sober without labeling themselves an addict/alcoholic.
I apparently could not.
Yeah as much as I don't like it for the stigma the media/our peers/ and society as a whole puts on it, it is what I am. It's not all I am, but it is an undeniable component and I choose to practice full honesty and call a spade a spade.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: mo
Posts: 183
Labels are used to classify or define something for a useful end. I believe that some folks get a lot of benefit, community, reminder etc. for using the label "alcoholic" or "addict". Some folks do not receive the benefit, and in fact find it damaging. It is our right as individuals to weigh how we feel and use the terms responsibly.
I do not use either label with myself publicly, as it does not serve me. If I approached sobriety differently, I might go about labeling it differently as well. To each our own.
I do not use either label with myself publicly, as it does not serve me. If I approached sobriety differently, I might go about labeling it differently as well. To each our own.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
Originally Posted by Fandy
btw, I quit smoking 20 years ago, i just say, no I don't smoke.
That's right, and I think this is a useful comparison. Nicotine is incredibly addictive and deadly, yet no one expects people who were formerly addicted to nicotine to apply lifetime labels to themselves. In fact, we'd think they were weird if they did!
To me, addict, isn't a label, it's an adjective. One of many hundreds that could be truthfully applied to me. Not one single adjective could comprehensively describe me, but each has a valid place in describing me.
And each is useful in various arenas in my life.
And each is useful in various arenas in my life.
People aren't going to know you're a recovering addict/alcoholic unless you tell them. Who you choose to tell, or not tell, is entirely up to you. One of the good things about being in recovery is that you have the choice to reveal this about yourself to other people, you can choose who to tell (or not tell) and when (if ever). You have the control. Whereas the addict/alcoholic not in recovery is controlled by their drug of choice and people are going to know and/or find out one way or another, but it's usually due to some embarrassing or tragic event.
Powerless over Alcohol
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Trudging the Road to Happy Destiny!
Posts: 4,018
You ever see a smoker quit for a length of time and start again. Its the same exact thing as drinking. Right back to where they left off only to get worse.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
Originally Posted by IndiaMiracle
You ever see a smoker quit for a length of time and start again. Its the same exact thing as drinking. Right back to where they left off only to get worse.
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