Those of you who have seen me around here know that I've struggled with addiction (alcohol mostly) but I have been sober for some time now and have gone through long sober periods in the past. What I want to talk about is that I don't really want to think of myself as a recovering alcoholic. I'd prefer to think that I'm not an alcoholic anymore.

I know the consensus is that once you're an addict, you are always an addict, but isn't that just a defeating attitude to take? I don't think I will accept that definition. It seems that way of thinking only serves to make me focus on the issue, and in some ways I believe that makes it a bigger issue than it really is.

I understand why people think this way and that I may be more susceptible to addiction in general but I don't think that has to define me.

I'd prefer to look it at in a positive light. As in, it was a problem but it's not anymore and I am free of it. It doesn't mean that I'm going to allow myself to drink/use but it does mean that my life goes on and I can invest myself in other things. It means I don't have to be dwelling on this scar in my life as if it still holds any weight.

Anyway, I know this is not a new idea, but, any thoughts?