It's Okay to Celebrate!
Wednesday December 24, 2008
We spend so much time trying to "help" those who struggle with the holidays, that sometimes we forget that for most people in recovery, it's a joyful, happy time and a reason to celebrate. Visitors to the About.com Alcoholism Forum share how they celebrate the holidays and maintain their sobriety.
Comments
Why, About.com, did you change the way headlines are displayed, making it extremely difficult for those of us who are not computer geeks, to use?
G’day Buddy T
The term ‘recovery’ is widely used today.
I reckon it is an inaccurate and misleading term to use when talking about stopping substance abuse – alcohol or other drugs.
You will hear or read phrases like ‘I am a recovering alcoholic – yep! – been dry now for twelve years – and still in recovery’ or ‘She’s three years into recovery for alcoholism’, or worse still, ‘Addiction is a disease and as such you will always be in recovery’. Rubbish!
I drank heavily for thirty years. By medical standards I was ‘an alcoholic’ (that’s what my doctor told me anyhow).
But my addiction to alcohol ended the very moment I decided I was not going to drink again. Beyond the 3 – 5 days of medical intervention that is indicated in some cases of alcoholism, there has been no ‘recovery’ for me and nor will there be.
I accept 100% responsibility for my addiction
and likewise take full responsibility for the choice I made to stop drinking in 2007.
Since then I have not had a drink – not one single drop of alcohol.
If I were to accept the position of the ‘victim’, which is what I believe the concept of ‘recovery’ sets up – then for me it would be like reversing into the future.
In reverse, windshield facing the past but looking into the rear view mirror to see where I am heading into the future. That’s like having the backside of a dog on the end of its nose. Silly!
No thank you. I will not play the role of the recovering victim with a focus on the problems of the past. I choose to be a part of a sober future and that’s what I want to think about most.
For me it is like this, cut and dry.
I once drank too much alcohol. It caused me and the people I love many problems. I decided I didn’t want those problems any more. I stopped drinking. I drink no more. I am now free, healthy and happy. I am not in any recovery.
Michael