I hate the word "addict" it's not that I don't aknowledge that I had an addiction, I do. It just triggers me. I was called that way before I had substance abuse disorder. To me when I think of the word addict, I associate that with my drug of choice and I start thinking about getting high. I appreciate that some individuals don't think like me. I hope everyone can just understand why I don't appreciate that word.
2 Likes
I can understand that. I don’t love the label of alcoholic/addict either. Back in 1989 it was beaten into my head that I was. Those words have very negative feelings and associations attached to them. Now that I’m back in recovery, I’ve been turned into some great quit lit and podcasts that discuss this in depth. It has really helped me put down a lot of the shame that I carry in part to being an “alcoholic/addict”. Have you read This Naked Mind?
2 Likes
Great quote! The word hate for me is very negative. When I use to say I hate things it put a bad vibe on the room around me. It’s ok if you don’t want to be labeled an addict. It’s time to change our vocabulary to more positive reinforcements. I try to focus on the things I love. Letting go of the things that don’t serve me. Be kind and loving to all things earth including ourselves. I hope you have a blessed day filled with love and peace within my friend. Life’s too short to hate.
4 Likes
Everyone is addicted to something. Human nature. Be it money, food, s e x, power, etc. it’s just a word for a condition all humans have. Be proud you at least know the condition and are dealing with it. Earth people got no clue.
2 Likes
I do not appreciate that word or the term alcoholic either… when I first entered rehab I explained to my therapist & the group that I do not wish to be labeled that way. To me being labeled is a negative mindset!
2 Likes
The word now has so much power and is an all or nothing kind of thing. I get where you are coming from. It's like there is a stigma and an attitude and a certain drug or behavior attached to that word and it's different for everyone. And it's powerful. But when I try to ignore the fact that I am that word I struggle. And if I give that word to much power I struggle. So there has to be some sort of balance right?
1 Like
I get it. Mike, addict. Mike, addict/alcoholic. I bounce between the two in the rooms. In the word if something comes up I’ll admit to be a friend of Bill W. I’m not in active addiction but don’t have addict tattooed on my face. In my day to day life it doesn’t come up much. I focus on the word sobriety and continue to work steps.
1 Like
I’m an alcoholic. I will always be an alcoholic. If I forget that, I will be an active alcoholic.
Addiction has been stigmatized for far too long and continues to be resistant to lifting despite the scientific evidence of it being a disease. I cringe when I hear the word addict, too. We as a nation, should be more progressed than we are considering chemical and process addictions. A question one could ask someone who has biases or judgments against those that do identify as an addict or dependent on a substance or process: why do most addicts engage in activity that is illegal to obtain or use? Or commit illegal activities while using? (Such as drunk driving) this isn’t a moral issue. Most of us didn’t wake up one day and decide we wanted to be this way and commit crimes. It isn’t a moral problem. It needs to be destigmatized… like yesterday
I don’t feel sorry for myself or expect to be let off the hook for the fu(ked up things I did when I was active. Folks had/have a right to be pi$$ed off and judge me for them. That’s why I have to make my amends and clean up my $hit. And I need to be patient enough to gain the credibility of sober time and living amends. I am doing those things and am proud to be an alcoholic in long term recovery. When we own our $hit, that’s when the stigma goes away.
2 Likes
I hate the word junkie.
2 Likes
How do you kill me every time, Wedad?
2 Likes
No but just the tittle sounds like it's a good read. What is it about?
Thank you.
Thank you, I hope all your days are blessed!!
1 Like
I’m listening to some of the podcasts now. Haven’t read the book yet. It talks about the how’s and why’s we drink, and the role society plays in our drinking. It also talks about not labeling yourself with these blanket negative statements, and how to overcome them. Alcohol is an addictive substance. Many people abuse it and have issues with it. She talks about retraining your mind and learning to think differently about alcohol and it’s benefits. Have a blessed day
2 Likes
Wino!!
2 Likes
1 Like
Thank you 
1 Like
The Mrs told me a belong living with the cretins of society. That kinda hit hard. At the time she was right. Regardless of the words and labels, I felt like a piece of 
. It’s nice to be living a proper life today. We don’t have to be slaves to our sick minds today 
1 Like