The Stigma Around the Word Alcoholic
By Adrienne Kaliszak
There is new verbiage being used to describe people who once were only known as “alcoholics”.
First off, I want to say that people who drink are so much more than the term “alcoholic”. They are husbands and wife’s, daughters and sons, teachers, lawyers, janitors, policemen and women, lover’s and creators.
The addiction of alcohol knows no bounds, it doesn’t discriminate based on your age or sex or even your color or career.
So many people find themselves caught up in the madness and destruction of alcohol use, not knowing how to escape and get out of the chaos and sadness of their self-imposed prison.
Often times these people who drink in excess are called “Alcoholics”. But being called an “Alcoholic”, I believe, only creates more shame and embarrassment around their issues, making it more difficult to want to seek out help.
Some words that are now being used to describe people with alcohol issues or who are no longer drinking include these words and phrases:
Alcohol Free or AF– Alcohol Free is just what it sounds like, being free from alcohol, no longer using alcohol. AF stands for Alcohol Free.
Sober AF– In the term Sober AF the abbreviation AF translates to Sober “As Fu*k”. I imagine it can also be translated to Sober “And Free”, if you prefer that instead.
Alcohol Use Disorder– Alcohol Use Disorder is described as “a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect, or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.”
Living a Sober Lifestyle– Living a Sober Lifestyle is also just as it sounds. It’s about living your best life without the use of alcohol or substances. People who live a sober life often times belong to communities of others who no longer drink such as AA, Be Sober, This Naked Mind, or Smart Recovery. They may drink NA or Non-Alcoholic brews or spirits. They find other activities other than drinking alcohol to occupy their time.
Alcohol Dependent– Alcohol Dependent is defined by Wikipedia as a “psychiatric diagnosis in which an individual is physically or psychologically dependent upon alcohol (also chemically known as ethanol).” In 2013 the term Alcohol Dependence was changed to Alcohol Use Disorder in the DSM-IV, which is a “guide used by clinicians to diagnose mental health conditions.”
Using the outdated term Alcoholic can create feelings of hopelessness and despair in an already suffering individual. I think using terms to promote hope and wellness are a much better way to reach people who struggle with alcohol use and are looking to break free.
I am one of those people who believe there is power in language and words so if we can provide hope and encouragement to people by using other terms besides the word Alcoholic to describe one who drinks or has broken free from drinking then why not do that.
Some people may have no issue being called an alcoholic they may figure that’s what I am so call a spade a spade. However, the word “alcoholic” to me brings about images of people who are derelict, hopeless, wife beaters, poor workers etc. And often times this is not the case.
There are many people who drink who hold down jobs, are kind to their spouses and children, and live in nice homes.
That’s not to say they may still need a little assistance breaking free from the chains of addiction, just pointing out that not everyone having issues with alcohol are “down and out” and not everyone who drinks has an issue with drinking.
There are some people who can have 1 or 2 and stop. I was not that fortunate soul. 1 or 2 would just be the start, I’ve had 14 or 15 beers in one sitting and even 20 in one night. I never wanted the “party” to end, but boy am I grateful now it has because the new beginning I got, is greater than I could have ever dreamed.
I encourage you to observe your relationship with alcohol and substances. Maybe you have no issues, but if you’re questioning, look into it. Read about it, explore. If you think you need help, talk to your doctor, and get involved with a community of others who are working at living a great sober life.
You are greater than the poison ethanol and you can do great and hard things. I believe in you! Believe in yourself. You got this!
'Your windshield is bigger than your rearview for a reason; the mirror is there to help you glance back at where you’ve been, but if you focus too much on it, you’re going to crash.
We are ALL affected by our past and we are ALL reminded of it now and again, but we cannot live in it unless we want to repeat it over and over again. We need to learn from it, take lessons from it, know what’s good (and not good) for us, and adjust accordingly. Mistakes are only mistakes until we learn from them and then they become lessons.'
Love this from the Your Tango blog, it sums up the need for a forward focused growth mindset in sobriety and life in general.
#keepmovingforward #positivequotes #positivity #yourtango #growthmindset #growthquotes #motivationalquotes #motivation #soberquotes #sobrietyquotes #lookforwardnotback #leavethepastbehind #movingforward #quotestagram #selfhelpquotes #positivemindset
Having an amazing time in #Japan and managed to head south out of Tokyo for a few days today to Kamakura by the ocean.
The drinking culture here is totally different to the UK, but all the bars are full, not many AF options either, but I wouldn’t want to visit such an amazing place and spoil it by boozing.
#tokyo #kamakura #tokyonight #tokyoneon #kamakuratemple #japaneseshrine #buddhisttemple #japantravel #tokyotrip #ramen #japaneseculture #japanlife
Wow! Rock Bottom & Rising has won the GOLD medal at the @nautilusbookawards for the best Addiction Recovery Memoir.
The book has 21 incredible stories by real people who have quit alcohol and turned their lives around, it is a truly inspirational read.
So this award is for everyone who contributed to the book, congratulations and thank you!
#bestbooks #nautilusbookaward #nautilusbookawards #nautilusbookawardwinner #sheldonpress #hatchettebookgroup #hodderandstoughton #addictionbooks #adictionmemoir #alcoholbooks #sobrietybooks #soberbooks
Woohoo! Just seen one of my books on the shelf @theworksstores #anxiety #anxietybook #theworks #bookshop #selfhelpbook #bookstore
Just finished recording a piece with @itvnews about the growing number of people quitting alcohol and the sobriety movement as a whole.
It airs next week, so look out for my shiny head on your TV screens.
#itv #sobriety #itvnews #sobermovement #sobercoach #tvinterview #newsstory #alcoholfree #soberlife #sobrietyrules
These two inspiring books from leading sobriety coach Simon Chapple are out today!
Read more...Repost @sheldon.press
Featuring contributions from some of the most well-known personalities in the Sober Space, Rock Bottom and Rising brings us real, raw, relatable stories from individuals who’ve found joy in an alcohol-free life.
The perfect companion to Rock Bottom – The Sober Life Journal captures the essence of journaling and provides space to grow and develop as you embark on a sober life. With hundreds of writing prompts, pages for reflection, focus, inspiration and guided exercises, this beautiful new journal supports your intention to create something lasting and meaningful to accompany you on your journey to an alcohol-free life.
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