Does our past define us in our recovery? Or in our recovery can our past be redefined by our future not using?
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Your future can always be redefined. It will take time and working a program, but you can do it one day at a time!
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Confucius say, "He who go to bed with itchy bütt wake up with stinky finger".
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I believe our past defines us, period. All of our past experiences make us who we are.
Obviously, our past can't be changed, and it should not be forgotten; doubly so for addicts. We made mistakes. Often repeating them several times before they became lessons.
I would say our past is subjective, like any truth. As you said, our past is redefined all of the time.
Nice philosophical question.
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That is an excellent topic to explore. My past has defined so much of who I am and will continue to do so. However, if we allow our past to rule us then we can never become more than. It was. If we allow it to become an anchor of the why we do, then it becomes a cornerstone to a temple dedicated to change.
I personally believe it like this... if I am a victim, and never move past it, then I am definitely forever as a victim. However if I take my trauma and use it to make me kind and understanding then I have used my victimization as a tool to make me greater than I would have been. The sum of the total of the parts is greater than any of the parts are separately.
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If my past defined me I'd be useless to everyone who counts on me now as a sober woman. Now sober, my actions are what defines me.
In my experience, your past is what shapes you for your future. Weather that be failures, mistakes, relationships etc. you experience something either Traumatic or organically challenging that makes you want to change. You must be before you can become. 
We are a product of our past experiences. It frames how we interpret the world and our place in the world. But we also have the innate ability to re-visit our past and re-intepret it. That insight can shape and re-shape our understand of who we were and who we might yet be. In AA, that same philosophical concept is embodied in the saying "we do not wish to live in the past nor do we close the door on it".
So yes, the past CAN define us but only if we allow it to. We do have the ability change our thinking and shape a new direction for ourselves. It isn't easy and, at least in my case, it has been quite painful at times. But I also know from past experience that choosing to change, while painful, is far less painful then living inside the person I once was.
I have known a lot of pain in sobriety. Truth be told, I am going through something acutely painful right now. But there is one surefire way of making this pain unbearably worse. And that is to pick up a drink. Knowing and understanding that concept took a ton of reflection and re-intepretation of my past.
I don't need to pick up a drink today despite the pain because I choose to not let my past define who I am. What I am experiencing right now will pass.
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My past has definitely made me who I am today.. and I don’t want to forget it.. or as the AA promises say never shut the door on it.. it gets me thru each day of never going back to that way of life.. I’m a better person now in my sobriety.. I was a drunk and an addict.. I did a lot of things I never want to relive.. my past is my past.. tomorrow is my future.. and each day is a new beginning.. God willing..
The gist of this was, the past can be what has brought us to our new beginnings, yet it doesn’t have to be a part of who we are now in recovery. Can’t change our past, only fix it by creating a new now and future. I say fruck the past. I’m content in creating new pasts of kindness towards others and fixing the old me by proving I’m not that old past any longer to others.
When it comes to our past actions, no they do not define us but it does shape us. You'll hear people sometimes say "I'm greatful to BE an alcoholic" vs. I'm A greatful alcoholic" because without alcoholism they wouldn't ever be the grateful, open-minded, spiritual person they are today. For me that was an eye opener once explained to me.
I was also told to ask myself if the terrible things I had done while in active addiction were things I would have done sober. If not then it was mainly my addiction to blame. However the caveat is even if my addiction was responsible... I am still left accountable. That I need to own and make amends whenever possible.
Yes and yes
Hey this is his daughter, I'm 15. I just wanted to say this is such a wonderful app and use of technology to help others! Keep doing what you're doing.
However my father, the person who owned this account passed on Wednesday, August 17th. Due to addiction. Remember your addiction could have consequences, severe deadly ones, and that if you ever feel yourself start to slip. Try to keep swimming. Get support. You all are amazing and I admire you all for struggling and trying and succeeding to beat it!