At what time after you quit drinking are you considered a "recovering" alcoholic? Is it as soon as you stop?

Question

At what time after you quit drinking are you considered a "recovering" alcoholic? Is it as soon as you stop?

Answer 1

When you are offered a drink and you can honestly say,"I'd much prefer a coffee", and mean it, without thinking twice.

Answer 2

If one has had a problem with alcohol and quits drinking, he will always be considered a " recovering alcoholic ". From day1 until the end of time there is always an attraction to the stuff and great will power is required to subvert any desire for a drink.

Answer 3

for me i do most of my recovering the next morning if i cant get it done by then i just have another drink and i feel better almost immediatly

Answer 4

"From day1 until the end of time there is always an attraction to the stuff and great will power is required to subvert any desire for a drink."

Wrong...I'm a recovered alcoholic and I NEVER have a desire to drink.  Haven't for years.  

As to the question, there's no rule about the use of the word "recovering" and I have heard it used by people who are still drinking.  More important is the absurd use of the term "recovering" by people who haven't had a drink in years and are clearly doing just fine.  Such people, and I am one of them, may indeed have a propensity to get into trouble again if we DO drink; but to say we are forever sick is completely wrong.

Answer 5

If you go by AA standards I believe you have to be alcohol free & take their "1st step" (I'm not going into details as I don't subscribe to their propeganda).

Answer 6

AA is for quitters...

heh, j/k.

You're actually never onsidered anything but an alcoholic once you admit you are one... even if you never have a drink the rest of your life, you'd still be an alcoholic.

At least that's what people on the wagon have told me.