recovering alcoholic
Abstaining former drinker
A recovering alcoholic is someone who has struggled with alcohol addiction and is actively working to maintain sobriety.
The term emphasizes ongoing process rather than completed cure—recovery is typically understood as lifelong: He's been a recovering alcoholic for fifteen years.
The phrase acknowledges both past addiction and present effort, distinguishing from "recovered," which some find misleading given addiction's persistent nature.
- soberFree from intoxication
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
- relapseReturn to former illness
- fall off the wagonResume addictive behavior after abstaining
- sponsorFunder of activities
AA · AA meeting · twelve-step · higher power · meeting · chip · personal inventory · making amends · amends · withdrawal · craving · temptation · sober living · abstinence · detox · binge · rock-bottom · intervention
- drinkersdrinker, drinkers, imbiber, imbibers, drunk
- nondrinkersteetotalers, teetotaler, nondrinker, non-drinker, abstainers
recovering alcoholicsocial drinker
One who imbibes socially
moderate drinker · casual drinker · drunk · falling off the wagon · teetotaler
recover, recovering, recovered, recovery, recoveries, recoverable, unrecoverable, alcohol, alcoholic