Grateful Alcoholic

By: Lisa Mugford

Grateful by definition: Deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful.

Alcoholic by definition: One who has a chronic disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction.

Let us take the term “Grateful Alcoholic.” Do you understand it? Connect with it? Disagree with it? Sounds like an oxymoron to me, but let’s explore the deeper meaning of this term and how it relates to my own recovery, which in turn might allow you to discover what it means to yours.

My name is Lisa and I’m a grateful alcoholic in recovery. Yes, grateful.

Am I grateful that I drank alcoholically for so many years? NO! Am I grateful that alcohol got me into trouble many times throughout high school, college, and into adulthood? Negative! Am I grateful for countless missed opportunities, most which I am probably unaware of? Heck no! Am I grateful that I lied, cheated, and stole to get alcohol? I think not! Am I grateful that I chose alcohol over my family, friends, and co-workers? Nope!

You might ask then, why am I grateful? Take a guess! I have a feeling you might be able to figure it out. And if you’re a Grateful Alcoholic yourself, or a grateful individual despite any hardships such as mental or physical illness, please share below why you are grateful, or why you are not.

Thanks so much for reading. I look forward to hearing from you.

Lisa Mugford volunteers and works part time at The North Central Vermont Recovery Center in Morrisville. The Recovery Center provides a supportive, welcoming, safe, and substance-free environment for individuals and families on their paths to lasting recovery from drugs and alcohol. Lisa writes for the Recovery Center, which means her blog posts are inspirational, real, and sometimes heart breaking. She lives in Waterbury, VT and owns a business in Stowe.