Aa
Who are you guys?
Is there anyone here who is an addict in recovery or is everyone in active addiction? No offense to anyone, I just know there are a lot of you out there and I was wondering about you all.
How about, who are you? Are you a "recovered" addict, or recovering???
Either way....we are all here for the same reason.
Either way....we are all here for the same reason.
there is no such thing as recovered. i work my ass off to work a program and stay clean one more day.
Actually, that is not true. The Big Book tells u, as written by Bill W. and friends (in AA and in NA ) that you are "recovered" once the obsession to use has been lifted.
If you are still having that daily struggle, your obsession is still there.
After 5 years in the program, I can honestly say that I no longer have any desire to drink. I stay in the program to help myself with life and to help others and to keep myself in check. Drinking was but a symptom of my problems. If you take away the symptom (drinking and drugging), I'm still left with me.
Am I a recovered alcoholic? Yes, I am.
If you are still having that daily struggle, your obsession is still there.
After 5 years in the program, I can honestly say that I no longer have any desire to drink. I stay in the program to help myself with life and to help others and to keep myself in check. Drinking was but a symptom of my problems. If you take away the symptom (drinking and drugging), I'm still left with me.
Am I a recovered alcoholic? Yes, I am.
My parents have been in the program for 25 years and call themselves recovering alcoholics. They have learned that there is no such thing as recovered. Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic but now just recovering
It's symantics really.
I'm not talking about cured and I'm not saying that it's not something you have to work on continuously, being sober that is not just dry, I'm saying that according to the BIG BOOK of AA as it was originally written, once the DAILY obsession to drink has been lifted, you are recovered.
I am IN recovery but I am recovered. In order to stay recovered I MUST stay in recovery.
If they wish to refer to themselves as "recovering" addicts, that's their choice. It's really a misunderstood concept and a little hard to grasp if you don't know the Big Book and the history of it.
On page 45, the Problem is defined as a "lack of power". The main object of this book is to ".....enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem." If we follow the planned program of action as outlined in pages 45 through 85, we arrive at perhaps the greatest promise of them all: "Sanity will have returned....the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us." At this juncture of the Process, lack of power moves from WAS our problem to IS no longer our problem and we have recoverED from alcoholism by tapping into an "unsuspected inner resource" through the vehicle of the STEPS.
I'm not talking about cured and I'm not saying that it's not something you have to work on continuously, being sober that is not just dry, I'm saying that according to the BIG BOOK of AA as it was originally written, once the DAILY obsession to drink has been lifted, you are recovered.
I am IN recovery but I am recovered. In order to stay recovered I MUST stay in recovery.
If they wish to refer to themselves as "recovering" addicts, that's their choice. It's really a misunderstood concept and a little hard to grasp if you don't know the Big Book and the history of it.
On page 45, the Problem is defined as a "lack of power". The main object of this book is to ".....enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem." If we follow the planned program of action as outlined in pages 45 through 85, we arrive at perhaps the greatest promise of them all: "Sanity will have returned....the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us." At this juncture of the Process, lack of power moves from WAS our problem to IS no longer our problem and we have recoverED from alcoholism by tapping into an "unsuspected inner resource" through the vehicle of the STEPS.
A legit. question with many answers.
I'm Day 7, no drugs, no alcohol. Am I in recovery? I don't know, I hope so . Guess it depends on your definition of the word. 12-steppers might say I'm not in recovery if i'm not going to meetings.
My dictionary states that recovery is "A return to a normal condition". LOL! Most addiciton specialists (and 12-Steppers) agree that "you can't make a normal drinker (user) out of an alcholic (addict)". So that definiton doesn't work for a pure recreational drug abuser like myself. However, there are many here w/legit pain issues who've become chemically dependent (as anyone would, self-proclaimed addict or not) on prescribed pain meds. Some are trying to cut down but cannot eliminate the meds completely until they find an alternative pain mgmt. solution for their medical condition.
My dictionary also says recovery is "The act, process, duration, or instance of recovering". So, if you agree w/the latter, then yes, most of us are in one stage or another of recovery, whether it be admitting we have a problem, facing the evils of w/d, or trudging through the days and weeks experiencing a new life without drugs. There are also many non-addicts who are deeply affected by someone else's problem. They are as welcome here as the others.
If you find yourself irritated that there's not much sign of lengthy clean time here, (don't really know if that's you're feeling or not) keep in mind, this is an Addiciton forum, not a "recovery" forum. I venture to guess that anyone who typed in those words "addiction" understands they have a problem and wants some solutions.
You typed in those words, so tell us, how is addiction affecting your life?
--Athena
I'm Day 7, no drugs, no alcohol. Am I in recovery? I don't know, I hope so . Guess it depends on your definition of the word. 12-steppers might say I'm not in recovery if i'm not going to meetings.
My dictionary states that recovery is "A return to a normal condition". LOL! Most addiciton specialists (and 12-Steppers) agree that "you can't make a normal drinker (user) out of an alcholic (addict)". So that definiton doesn't work for a pure recreational drug abuser like myself. However, there are many here w/legit pain issues who've become chemically dependent (as anyone would, self-proclaimed addict or not) on prescribed pain meds. Some are trying to cut down but cannot eliminate the meds completely until they find an alternative pain mgmt. solution for their medical condition.
My dictionary also says recovery is "The act, process, duration, or instance of recovering". So, if you agree w/the latter, then yes, most of us are in one stage or another of recovery, whether it be admitting we have a problem, facing the evils of w/d, or trudging through the days and weeks experiencing a new life without drugs. There are also many non-addicts who are deeply affected by someone else's problem. They are as welcome here as the others.
If you find yourself irritated that there's not much sign of lengthy clean time here, (don't really know if that's you're feeling or not) keep in mind, this is an Addiciton forum, not a "recovery" forum. I venture to guess that anyone who typed in those words "addiction" understands they have a problem and wants some solutions.
You typed in those words, so tell us, how is addiction affecting your life?
--Athena
I agree, it is a legit question. I just simply was giving my opinion as well. It is great that you have a program that works for you. I think we all would be interested in hearing about it, if you care to share. maybe what you can share will help another here. That is what this site is all about.
I may have taken what you said out of context and if so I am sorry. I just am not in the best of moods right now as no one else really is either fighting this demon.
I just that some people think they have kicked this and make it sound easy to just up and do because they have done it themselves. That is kind of the reading I got from your post, again if I am wrong I am sorry.
It's a hell of a ride, no sugar coating that at all. I just wish there was an easy way out, and a fast one. I know you have to want it, and I know it has to start with the user. One does have to just say enough is enough, it is getting to that point and not having the fear so many of us have, myself included to let go totally. Being a single mom of 2 is hard to go c/t and not affect my children, so that is also why I try to taper off. Although no success yet, maybe I just did not want it bad enough then, I agree there.
Everyone is here for the same reason, not everyone will agree with everyone, and I do hope you have some insight to share that can help anyone of us here to get to where you are.
I may have taken what you said out of context and if so I am sorry. I just am not in the best of moods right now as no one else really is either fighting this demon.
I just that some people think they have kicked this and make it sound easy to just up and do because they have done it themselves. That is kind of the reading I got from your post, again if I am wrong I am sorry.
It's a hell of a ride, no sugar coating that at all. I just wish there was an easy way out, and a fast one. I know you have to want it, and I know it has to start with the user. One does have to just say enough is enough, it is getting to that point and not having the fear so many of us have, myself included to let go totally. Being a single mom of 2 is hard to go c/t and not affect my children, so that is also why I try to taper off. Although no success yet, maybe I just did not want it bad enough then, I agree there.
Everyone is here for the same reason, not everyone will agree with everyone, and I do hope you have some insight to share that can help anyone of us here to get to where you are.
Don't you think that you are already affecting your children-cold turkey or not? If you are on narcotics, how are you helping your children at all? No, it is not easy. Tapering off does work for some, but you need to do it in a safe place-detox.
that book was written with wonderful spiritual concepts, but the disease was not yet defined. My daily obsession was lifted years ago, but the second i assume i am recovered I am on my way to relaplse. The disease is cunning, baffling and powerful and it is always there, always waiting for you to let down your guard. When I say I work daily at my recovery, that means I sponsor others, do service work and work steps. I go to meetings and fellowship with other addicts. The disease cannot be cured, but arrested with recovery. I have seen only one cure for addiction and that is death. I will no longer comment in this forum because we are supposed to ban together against this monster of a disease and instead we quote books instead of living it. Some were offended when I told some to give up looking for the easier, softer way. To co-sign the bullshit is to help them die. This disease kills and anyone with enough sense to find a chat room for addiction is smart enough to know they have a problem. I have news for you. There is a way out and that is to find AA, CA, NA, PA, anything but do it yourself or continue to live as you are. for all you pill poppers out there, i've seen death in your circles too. Don't think that just because you're not shooting dope that you are safe. Why do you all want a forum to whine about how life sucks because you are CHOOSING TO USE? I am out of here. There is nothing healthy about people that want to whine but refuse to take the steps to get better. You want to know the secret? There is only one way that has ever kept an addicted person clean/dry. A twelve step program. You know why? Because drugs are just a symptom. The problem is YOU. Until you work on the inside nothing outside will ever change. Goodbye.
u r wrong wrong wrong. many people have succeeded in their battles with addiction without a twelve step program. some people, in fact, just get fed up with using and stop, believe it or not. just because the way you succeeded and believe in worked for u, does not mean it will work for everyone. one should not condemn other people and their choices. it is very helpful to have forums like this. it helps to air your feelings, i really do not think it is whining. i agree with ur decision in leaving. if this is not ur scene then you should find something closer to ur own comfort zone.
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