Here at R3C0VRY.WRX we do our best to bring you writing on a range of recovery related subjects.
It’s the least we can do!
It’s my hope that once in a while something you read on here will truly resonate, and, in some small way, help.
To that end, I’m thrilled to bring you another thought-provoking, personal piece from Megan.
This work, entitled simply “Recovered” sees Megan explore her own thoughts on the transformative process of achieving recovery from addiction. Is there such a thing as a “recovered alcoholic”? Where does ‘recovery’ end and ‘recovered’ begin?
Read, enjoy and have your own view… that’s what we’re here for.
Thanks again Megan!
*****
Recovered.
First published 16 September 2018 by Megan.
I refer to myself as a recovered alcoholic.
My reason for doing so is that sobriety is something I no longer struggle to maintain, and I am perfectly settled with the notion that I will never have another alcoholic drink for the rest of my life.
I do realise how lucky I am. I understand that many people battle addictions much fiercer than mine, and I don’t in any way wish to diminish that. But does that mean that I can’t speak to my own experience, without feeling guilty? Just because I find sobriety easy to maintain now doesn’t mean I didn’t go through the fight of my life to achieve it. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, and fuck if I’m not going to talk about it because I don’t want to be judged poorly.
I wish more people referred to themselves as recovered alcoholics, rather than ‘in recovery’.
Out of curiosity, I Googled ‘recovered alcoholic’ and as I suspected, the meaning I was searching for didn’t pull up many hits. I did find one article that gave me hope, where several people affirm the notion that being ‘recovered’ is actually supported by the underlying principles of AA; but it’s from 1999. Additionally, many people prefer the mentality that they will always be in recovery, because alcoholism is a disease that is never cured.
I never said that it was.
Just because I no longer feel as though I am in active recovery, does not mean I will not always be an alcoholic.
Quite the opposite is true, and that’s why I will never drink again. Because I’m an alcoholic, and I can’t.
Recovery, to me, is a process of transformation. And it’s one that is unique to each individual. It begins with pain and suffering, takes a turn with acceptance, and starts forging a new path of healing and growth. In my opinion, once someone embarks on that final stage they begin moving away from the ‘active recovery’ phase into a completely new state of being – one that is fundamentally healthy and positive. And it is here that I encourage people to feel comfortable releasing themselves from the term in order to signify the change that has occurred.
My heart goes out to everyone who will struggle for the rest of their lives with addiction, temptation, and everything else that comes along with getting sober. But for those of us who feel comfortable admitting that addiction was our past, not our present or future – why not celebrate and take pride in that?
Recovery is not only possible, but it’s achievable.
I did it. And I believe that you can do it too
*****
About our author, Megan.
Megan writes the blog “A Different Kind of Sober” – and you can follow her on Twitter.