Alcohol & drug addictions..?

Question by mulroy1563: Alcohol & drug addictions..?
At a recent meeting for those suffering the above, I was told that a speaker presented his story explaining that he was in excess of 6 years sobriety but remains an alcoholic.

The person conducting that meeting ‘corrected’ that presenter claiming that he should have stated that he was ‘a recovered alcoholic’. The presenter disagreed stating that though a non-drinker he will ALWAYS remain an alcoholic, therefore being just that – an alcoholic as opposed to being a recovered alcoholic.

My belief is that the presenter shouldn’t have been corrected – even if the inclination toward alcohol has become ‘benign’. Any thoughts from those of you that possess deeper understanding in terms of whether correction was inappropriate…?

Best answer:

Answer by Mary L
The words “alcohol dependence” or “addiction” are often used without definition. So, let’s first look at an addiction definition. As used in this web site, alcohol or drug addiction means that a person’s alcohol or other drug use has reached the point that the person cannot use without loss of control over use of the substance and/or cannot use without producing adverse consequences in significant life areas, and has developed a psychological and/or physical dependence upon the substance. An addicted person will continue to use the substance in the face of adverse consequences.
http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com/helpingphilosophy.html

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