nandm

The title to this forum just got me thinking about the different ways people interpret the word recovery.

To me recovery means:
I have a life today
I have choices in life
I am responsible for my actions
I no longer choose to continue on the downward spiral alcoholism had me on.
I have a future
I no longer have to be miserable inside
I can be comfortable in my own skin
I no longer allow my alcohol use to damage my personal relationships
I don't have to wake up with and spend the day with a hangover.
I don't have to worry about where my next drink is coming from.
I actually have more money now that I am not spending it all on alcohol.
I am able to grow and learn how to be the best person I can be each day.
I no longer have the anger, pain, and frustration inside of me on a daily basis.
I actually have friends instead of drinking buddies.
I no longer wonder if my friends will be there when the chips are down, I know they will.
This list could go on and on but I am more interested in hearing what recovery is to you.

barb dwyer

I like that , NandM ...

I've acheived some of those things
work to achieve others

kinda like a shopping list.

I like it.

For me, 'recovery' is a verb.
It's a non-ending kind of thing that implies a process.

1963comet

I am not a Slave to addiction anymore. I feel Free.

Today I choose not to walk back into that prison. But I will always have that prison #number and always have to remember that.

Zanthos

I like the definition of recovery that I was taught in rehab: recovery is a lifelong process of change.

I later realized that made sense because LIFE is a lifelong process of change. And with recovery I get to live life. On life's terms.

So my recovery, I hope, will be a never-ending journey of growth and change. Sometimes it will be slow and quiet. Sometimes wild and exciting. But always quite the adventure!

Boleo

The abstinent addict is looking for a quick-fix for their problem where the person living in recovery seeks, desires and expects to find a new way of living without the need for any substances (crutches) in their lives. Abstinence may cure back problems (getting your license back, job back, family back) but it does not address the underlying causes of needing a mind-altering substance in the first place. A person seeking true recovery recognizes the truth about themselves, that is, that there was some kind of problem that existed prior to seeking out drugs or alcohol initially.

tommyk

Recovery is a lifestyle.

(And within that lifestyle I have discovered.... life...!)

lovingseren

Recovery is to be free, to be responsible for myself and my actions, and to have an attitude with gratitude.

My mind is full of anything I choose to put into it!

I am a work in progress!

Seren

soulsearcher67

I completely relate to this definition of recovery, because it is pretty much exactly what I have found "living in recovery" to be. I have found that when I stop changing, I stop growing...and that is when old behaviours start rearing their ugly head again.

sct

For me recovery means learning to live in the world, without drugs.
It sounds simple, but d*amn does it effect everything else.

jackspar

lots and lots of views about recovery

renemar

Recovery for me means move on, forget the past.
Recovery also means new start.

353

I heard the word recovery used in a different context last week. I was on vacation in Myrtle Beach, great meetings there by the way, golfing with my nephew and brother. I'd made a horrible shot from the tee on a par 3 and hit a pitching wedge from out of deep rough, forty yards out, to about three feet from the hole. I putted the ball in for par and as I was walking from the green my nephew said "great recovery uncle Ron". I hear that word on a regular basis in my meetings and read it on this forum alot, but it just struck me odd to hear it like that for a change.

I guess for me, recovery is kind of like getting back on course after venturing through the hazards, and doing it on a regular basis.

I'm still in the game, I may goof up from time to time, but each day is an opportunity to live it better. I can practice everyday and as long as I don't drink, I will get better.

(apoligies to non-golfing people)

Peace

nandm

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