i have noticed that a lot of recovering alcoholics and addicts like to brag and always somehow slip something into the conversation about how they use to do this or how they have been sober for so long and for some reason this gets on my nerves. im a recovering alcoholic myself so i know how hard it is to get yourself together and sober up and completely change your life but whats the point of mentioning something about it all the time? when some one asks me something i dont answer it by saying "well in my 12 step program...." or "when i use to be a drunk.....'' i just dont see the need for that. im mean getting clean and sober is something to be proud about because its something that is really hard to do but being addicted to something in the first place and screwing up your whole life isnt. people who have never done drugs dont go around bragging about how they have been sober their whole lives. does this make since to anyone else? does anyone understand what im saying?
2006-08-17 16:36:57 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
you're taking someone specific's inventory? Just have one person to worry about, friend, and that is yourself.
2006-08-25 14:56:38 · answer #1 · answered by Inadept 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not an addict therefore I can't answer from that perspective. The most logical response it that the bragging helps them to cope with and to continue to overcome the addiction. Being clean and sober is a hard earned achievement. If it were easy to defeat substance abuse then their wouldn't be addicts. Besides, they finally feel good about themselves and the decisions that they're making. Who wants to brag about being a drunk or a crack head? It's not inspiring..but to say I screwed up my life at one point but I've work to over come my addiction and face my demons...that's powerful. Recovering addicts have to fight the addiction daily and the bragging is a "weapon" in that fight. That's all.
2006-08-17 16:46:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too used to have those problems, as a drinker. But I think people do it because everyone has their own recovery process. Just like everyone has their own way of mourning someone's death. Giving up an alcohol or drug addiction is like mourning. It is the death of the addiction. Some have to help themselves through by talking about it, while others don't. My advice is, if it bothers you then say something. Let them know you are trying to leave the past in the past. And then change the conversation. That's about all you could do without actually walking away.
2006-08-17 16:50:44 · answer #3 · answered by teashy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, compassionate answers from a lot of people that have no idea what they're talking about. It must be nice to be perfect. I would speculate that those who are recovering from addiction were probably suffering some social issues prior to addiction. A lot of people turn to drugs to escape the feelings of social awkwardness. Just like a lot of the people on here that are passing judgement- love to get a buzz at a party to get "social." But for some reason, we accept people who over -do it with booze but frown upon drug users. I'm just saying... abuse is abuse, whatever it is that you're using. I'm not condoning drug use, just stating that instead of judging, try a little compassion. What goes around comes around.
2016-03-16 23:29:04 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AA & NA teach that addiction is a daily, life-long struggle. And that they must proselytize for their group.
In the rooms, they also learn to exaggerate how bad their problems were in order for it to be more of a miracle that they quit. The 12step step group presents a skewed reality that takes over their whole lives.
AA and NA groups use fear as a motivating factor which causes the person to be thinking of the addiction constantly.
Within the groups any announcement of "clean time" brings applause, even if it's 24 hours. This type of ego gratification is addictive.
2006-08-18 01:14:47 · answer #5 · answered by raysny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, recovering addicts brag because they are proud of themselves for quitting, which is a hard thing to do. And they want to be acknowledged for their achievements and there's nothing wrong with that. I understand that it annoys you and that's your prerogative. But that's why recovering addicts brag about it.
2006-08-17 16:45:54 · answer #6 · answered by Jenn 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As an addict in recovery I will tell you that kicking a habit like that is probably the hardest thing anyone will ever do - and that includes raising children. But I agree that it isn't necessary to flaunt that at every given opportunity. Yikes! It is like that is all some can talk about! But I guess it is like those who talk about their kids all the time perhaps. Sometimes I have found that it helps just to ignore those comments or say "that's nice" and change the subject. Sometimes though you have to find someone else to talk to. Congratulations on your sobriety.
2006-08-24 19:18:00 · answer #7 · answered by dgdkota 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A testimony of what someone has gone through and came out of is a certain way of saying hey you can too. If you don't like others ways, just walk away, I think you really miss the point with true sincerity. Doing it in a negative way is a sure fire way for negative to befall that person. What goes around does come around, that is life.And it is an awesome feeling to come out of addiction in all cases, only by the grace of God.
2006-08-25 16:14:35 · answer #8 · answered by deeprnll 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and it can get old. I think that it has more to do with them having problems with their changing identity. They used to relate to the world as an alcoholic/drug user and now that they are not using anymore they are not sure where they fit and they are trying to salvage some of their old persona. I do not think that they even realize how annoying it is. It is the same thing as when someone moves from somewhere that they have lived their whole lives, you find them inserting that into the convo constantly "Back when we lived in ___ we used to___. Same with people who bring their kids into every convo. Mentioning it sometimes is cool, if you do it in every convo it gets FRIGGIN OLD. I also think it has something to do with being very self centered while you are recovering. Then again you are self centered while you are using too.. ahh well
2006-08-17 16:46:35 · answer #9 · answered by kimberly b 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do not make a secret of my past because I would like to steer others away from living as I once did.
I envy those who have never taken a drink or used drugs. They have a right to be proud.
I am grateful not to be what I once was. And everybody thought I was having a good time. NOT!
2006-08-25 08:07:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kicking an addiction is a very long,hard process. It is a life-changing event in a person's life.
2006-08-17 16:43:14 · answer #11 · answered by hott.dawg™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋