Things Men in Recovery Say

If you’ve spent any time in the rooms, chances are you’ve heard some of the same things men in recovery say. Everything is open-season: from men’s fashion trends to their female counterparts to what it’s like to be a sober man, this stuff is priceless.

Let’s start out light…

“Did you see the new Jordan 5s?”

Men in recovery are just as fashion savvy as women and are often concerned with new trends like getting those new kicks and freshening up their hat collection. Oh the hats! Men in recovery seem to have hundreds of hats sporting their home team’s logo, favorite skate brand, or catchy sayings. Same thing goes for the slew of t-shirts with clever (read: obnoxious) one-liners.

“Let’s get tattooed.”

Guys and girls alike seem to want to get their recovery ink with even only a few days of sobriety under their belts. Sometimes, this is a couples’ endeavor, which is never a good idea. Everyone should know by now not to get someone’s name or some kind of matchy-matchy couples tattoo. It seems like the relationship is always doomed as soon as ink hits skin.

Now we’ll tread in a little deeper water…

“As long as she knows you don’t want a relationship, it’s fine.”

This is basically said by men in recovery who are co-signing on their friends’ promiscuity. The idea is, as long as both parties know the rules of the game, it’s OK to engage in bedroom activities. The problem is, sometimes people use this as a disclaimer even when they know full-well that the girl has feelings.

“Chicks in recovery are crazy.”

I’m not going to touch this one.

Now for some of the sexual innuendos that can be heard from men in recovery…

“Get her before God does.”

Said as a joke or seriously, this one is pretty self-explanatory if you know what is being referred to. The idea that we as recovering addicts and alcoholics have a void that we used to fill with our drug of choice but then learn to fill that hole with God or our idea of Higher Power. This saying is a pretty crass way of saying a guy should “fill that void,” if you will, before the woman has a chance to build a strong relationship with her Higher Power.

“Get her on her knees before her Sponsor does.”

Another expression that distorts the suggestion of adding prayer to one’s program of recovery. Most if not all sponsors will suggest getting into the habit of praying. Here, it is clear that men in recovery say this referring to something much more sexually explicit.

Now for the deeper stuff…

“Today I know what a real man is.”

This is said by men who have seen how a program of recovery has helped them to be real men: authentic, vulnerable, helpful, caring, and giving. Basically, all around productive members of society who feel they are better-adjusted now that they are clean and sober. So, kudos to them.

“Today, I get to be a father, husband, etc.”

Like the above statement, men in recovery say this one a lot when they become grateful for being able to become family men and be present for their spouses, children, friends, and so on.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction please call toll free 1-800-951-6135