Alcoholism Support Group

Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.

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alcoholic real alcoholic or chronic alcoholic

rivalino
rivalino
in the UK were i attend meetings most people state there name followed by "and I'm an alcoholic"
however quite often during there share some members will endorse their level of addiction with
"I'm a real alcoholic" or I'm a chronic alcoholic"
when discussing this with some of my friends who seem to be content with being just plain old boring alcoholics it does raise different reactions from mild irritation indignation even RESENTMENT
i would be interested on wider feedback from other UK members and of course from the USA Canada australia and everywhere else in the world
wishing everyone a happy sober weekend
rivalino
deleted_user
deleted_user
DG - I think you possibly misread the Big Book. Nowhere does it say that you cannot be a real/chronic alcoholic unless you get well with the Steps and the Big Book quite clearly says that AA is not the only way.

Chronic and real are terms used in the Big Book to describe the final stage reached before death of an alcoholic. That does not mean that alcoholics at other stages are not alcoholic.

For those who don't like or fear AA why not google the Jellinek chart. It has nothing to do with AA but was one of the initial findings that showed how alcoholism follows the disease pattern.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Gaily,

Thanks for posting #46 re: BB

You beat me to it!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I like RECOVERED alcoholic too Serenity. People usually get upset with that. All it means is that G-d has relieved the obsession and compulsion to use and abuse drugs and alcohol. It does not mean I can have just one now. It states RECOVERED on the cover page of the BB so get over it. And by the way, I really was a really bad, chronic, obnoxiouswhat was the question again? Have a great weekend all.
Shawn
gjm
gjm
" it is what it is "

No gray area either you are or your not.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Rivalino, I've been sober 6yrs and came very close to death because of my alcoholism yet I never share that I am a "REAL" or "CHRONIC" alcoholic. I KNOW that I am and I am familiar with the Big Book description but I do not feel the need to descibe myself as anything other than "ALCOHOLIC". I'm one of those people who has to practise tolerance when members use these terms as I find it patronising. Do we want members, especially newcomers, to feel they are not "bad enough" to be a REAL/CHRONIC alcoholic? Is there a hierarchy? LET'S KEEP IT SIMPLE!