57 Positive Affirmations for Addiction

• 1. “Every time I relapse, I will remind myself of my goals.” No matter what happens, keep going. This is part of the process. If someone tries to bring you down, just remember why you’re doing this. It’s because you really want to change your life.
• 2. My recovery is not a failure; it’s a success!” Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Your progress is proof that you’ve changed.
• 3. “Even though I continue to struggle, I never give up.” Keep pushing forward. It takes one step forwards to move towards where you need to go. So take each day as a chance to live a healthy lifestyle.
• 4. I have a right to enjoy life without any drugs, alcohol, sugar, caffeine, tobacco, or other substances.” You deserve to be happy!
• 5. I forgive myself for my shortcomings and failures.” Your past mistakes don’t define who you are. Today is about moving forward and creating a brighter tomorrow.
• 6. I trust my Higher Power to lead me back home safely.” Stay humble, even with all your recent achievements. People will try to tear you down sometimes, but remember: you’ve still got much to learn. Remain focused on your dreams and aspirations. Keep believing in yourself.
• 7. My body heals itself.” Yes, there might be scar tissue from previous addictions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t heal completely. As long as you stay committed, you’ll eventually see results.
• 8. I know that I am capable of making decisions to support my growth.” Whether it’s deciding to attend AA meetings for the first time, or choosing a job after years of unemployment, you always have wiggle room to create new choices. Don’t be afraid to experiment and discover new possibilities for yourself.
• 9. It’s okay to seek professional guidance, whether that means having a mentor, seeking counseling, joining a 12 Step group, or talking to a friend or family member about my issues.” There’s no shame in asking for help when needed. Remember: everyone goes through tough times. All you can control is how you choose to react to those struggles.
• 10. I am willing to put forth consistent effort to attain my goals.” Nothing worth achieving comes easy—or fast. That’s the reality of life. When you work hard at something, you reap better rewards than if you just sit around and expect everything to come to you. In order to get anywhere, you must be willing to make sacrifices along the way.
• 11. A power greater than me is guiding my steps.” Even when circumstances seem uncertain (like during a challenging moment of sobriety), trust in higher powers provides peace of mind. The universe has a plan. Trust in God, nature, spirit, angels, or whomever you think guided you into being sober today.
• 12. Even without the desire to stop drinking, I will continue to abstain.” Your Higher Power created willpower in you. Use it. Don’t drink because you feel like it, or want people to respect you, or hope to land another promotion. No matter what happens, keep going. Acknowledge why you’re doing this, then follow your heart. Do it because it feels good, and do it wholeheartedly.
• 13. One day at a time is enough to accomplish anything.” You don’t have to tackle life piecemeal. Every small action matters. Think ahead. Focus on big picture goals. And don’t fret about things you can’t change now. Instead, take advantage of current opportunities. They’re precious moments in time. Be thankful for them. And use them wisely.
• 14. “There is hope for me. I’m not beyond redemption.” Believe that you are worthy of happiness. Know that recovery is possible. Surround yourself with positive influences who encourage you toward success. Find ways to meet new friends, build healthy relationships, and reconnect with old ones. Look to those supporting you and let their love infuse your heart. Don’t forget your loved ones, either; remind yourself daily that they care and are looking out for you. Reach out to help others, too. It may sound corny, but really connecting with others is one of the most uplifting experiences you’ll ever have.
• 15. “Today is a gift.” Life may not always go the way you planned, but tomorrow will bring new chances at greatness. Make the best of every opportunity, and live each day fully aware that it could all end tomorrow. You never know what is waiting for you around the next corner! And as long as you’re breathing, there are still more days left until you breathe your last breath.
• 16. “This Moment Counts!” We’ve been conditioned to believe that we need to save our energy reserves for future occasions instead of living in the present. But nothing worthwhile came easily. It took years, sweat, tears, and countless broken promises before you got sober. Live in the now! It’s an exciting place to be. Forget the past and worry only about tomorrow. Stay true to yourself. Have fun! Get some sleep! Rejoice in the miracle of each sip of water. And remember: today IS the greatest day of your life.
• 17. “I am surrounded by love.” When you hit rock bottom — or maybe even later — realize how much people love you and have faith in you. Be grateful for the strength you draw from their unwavering support. That’s a huge part of why staying clean is so worth the effort. Forgiveness is also critical, even if you didn’t deserve it. Remind yourself often that everyone makes mistakes, and no one is perfect.
• 18. It takes courage to face down fear.” If you find yourself struggling with alcohol problems, consider talking to a professional. Counselors and therapists who specialize in substance abuse issues can provide invaluable insight and encouragement. Support groups also empower members to share ideas and experience. And when you feel ready, talk to family and friends about your situation. Having honest conversations with supportive people helps get you through tough times.
• 19. “People make decisions based on emotions. Not facts. Emotions guide feelings and actions. Feelings lead to thoughts and behaviors. Thoughts lead to beliefs and perceptions. Beliefs lead to values and behavior. Behaviors reflect beliefs. It’s a downward spiral into destruction. People choose recovery because they’d rather be alive than dead. Fact. No matter what they tell themselves, most addicts aren’t interested in dying. So they do whatever it takes to stay alive! Fact. This is a disease. Addiction is a brain disorder. A chemical imbalance affecting motivation, judgment, memory, empathy, learning, and impulse control.
• 20. The world needs more people like…me.” Whether they see your potential or not, the universe has given us all gifts we were meant to enjoy. Find meaning in your life. Discover what makes you unique and special. Use your talents to better the world. You don’t have to be rich or famous to make a lasting impact. Just look inside and you’ll find it.
• 21. “A ‘recovery’ doesn’t happen overnight.” Many people who want to go cold turkey and refuse treatment will eventually give up without getting involved in a program. But there are those rare few who truly understand that long-term sobriety requires permanent change. They know that being abstinent is just the first step in a lifelong process of transformation. In this case, going broke isn’t necessarily bad — as long as it means you’re finally cleaning up your act.
• 22. “You may have to try several different things before finding the right approach for you.” Once you identify the source of your addictive tendencies, you’ll probably want to do something about them. If you find yourself struggling with alcohol problems, consider talking to a professional. Counselors and therapists who specialize in substance abuse issues can provide invaluable insight and encouragement. Support groups also empower members to share ideas and experience. And when you feel ready, talk to family and friends about your situation. Having honest conversations with supportive people helps get you through tough times.
• 19. “People make decisions based on emotions. Not facts. Emotions guide feelings and actions. Feelings lead to thoughts and behaviors. Thoughts lead to beliefs and perceptions. Beliefs lead to values and behavior. Behaviors reflect beliefs. It’s a downward spiral into destruction.
• People choose recovery because they’d rather be alive than dead. Fact. No matter what they tell themselves, most addicts aren’t interested in dying. Fact. So they do whatever it takes to stay alive! Fact. This is a disease. Addiction is a brain disorder. A chemical imbalance affecting motivation, judgment, memory, empathy, learning, and impulse control.
• 20. The world needs more people like…me.” Whether they see your potential or not, the universe has given us all gifts we were meant to enjoy. Find meaning in your life. Discover what makes you unique and special. Use your talents to better the world. You don’t have to be rich or famous to make a lasting impact. Just look inside and you’ll find it.
• 21. “A ‘recovery’ doesn’t happen overnight.” Many people who want to go cold turkey and refuse treatment will eventually give up without getting involved in a program. But there are those rare few who truly understand that long-term sobriety requires permanent change. They know that being abstinent is just the first step in a lifelong process of transformation. In this case, going broke isn’t necessarily bad — as long as it means you’re finally cleaning up your act.
• 22. “You may have to try several different things before finding the right approach for you.” Once you identify the source of your addictive tendencies, you’ll probably want to do something about them. Maybe that something is simply cutting back on your overall level of exposure to substances such as caffeine, sugar and nicotine. Or maybe you decide that some kind of behavioral therapy is required to keep you sober. Whatever approach you take, remember that no single treatment plan is suitable for everyone. Some of our programs offer multiple approaches in an attempt to meet the diverse needs of your specific situation.
• 23. Don’t let anyone make you think you’re weak for having relapsed.” Everyone knows someone whose hard work has been undone by the temptations of everyday living. That’s why relapse happens. It’s human nature. Part of staying clean involves recognizing and accepting that fact. And being able to say: “I’m strong enough to put my recovery ahead of drugs, even when I face temptation.”
• 24. “If you can get yourself out of bed every day, you’ve already won half the battle.” Being able to stick with any treatment plan is a major accomplishment and should be celebrated. But it doesn’t mean much unless you also develop the self-discipline to continue once you’re out of detox. When you stop taking medications, eating regularly and attending meetings, you can feel almost certain that you won’t succeed at staying clean. Only after you start seeing results can you begin to focus on maintaining these healthy habits.
• 25. “Your home is where you can live out your recovery.” Your home can be anything you want. Anywhere you want. It can even be wherever you want. As long as it gives you the freedom to recover. If your house isn’t safe enough for you, then move to another place where you can be comfortable. Don’t ever return to the old environment if it doesn’t provide you with the support you need.
• 26. “Never underestimate the power of prayer.” Your God loves you unconditionally, and He wants you to stay clean 100 percent. To Him, one day of sinning is exactly equivalent to one hundred days of sobriety. If you haven’t prayed your way through a period of trouble yet, now is the time to start. Prayer changes everything. It’s your key to recovery.
• 27. “Stay focused on your recovery.” Be aware of all the factors that could derail your progress. You might not always be able to avoid triggers, but you can learn ways to cope with stressful situations so they don’t sabotage your efforts. Remember the following principles: Avoid using alcohol or other drugs at the same time each day. • Take your meds as prescribed, even if you feel better when you skip doses. • Stick with the treatment plan you decided upon. Understand the physical effects of drinking or drugging; know what makes sense and what doesn’t. Always share information about substance use with your drug counselor or physician. The more open you are, the easier it is for your doctor to help prevent health problems from developing.
• 28. Have faith in yourself.” Whether you realize it or not, recovering addicts often experience periods of doubt and insecurity. They sometimes struggle believing their own strength. Sometimes they wonder whether they really deserve to get well. These feelings are completely normal. But there’s still a lot to like about yourself. For example, you were smart enough to recognize your problem when others didn’t see it. You knew enough to change direction when others wouldn’t listen. And you have real courage because you’re willing to try new strategies and admit when they aren’t working. In short, despite any struggles you may encounter along the way, you have plenty going for you.
• 29. “It takes only seconds to drink a glass of wine or down a whole bottle of booze. Do the math!” A single binge has the potential to wreck your entire year. So why wait? Don’t let an hour, a couple hours, or even a week go by without putting plans into action. Recovery is too important!
• 30. “You don’t have to do it alone.” There are many options available to people who need help getting sober. Some find individual counseling effective, while others prefer group therapy. Still others turn to 12-step programs. No matter which method you decide upon, make sure it works best for you.
• 31. “There is no such thing as being in ‘a bad’ phase of recovery.” Regardless of how badly you may feel right now, you will succeed. Just keep moving forward and remember these words: “No matter what I go through, I cannot stop loving life just because I’m struggling with my addiction.”
• 32. “The road to sobriety will never end.” While staying clean may seem simple at first, it becomes increasingly difficult over time. Each day brings new challenges, temptations, and threats. But as long as you keep working hard, there’s nothing stopping you from succeeding. It’s possible to stay clean. All you have to do is commit.
• 33. “Don’t give up.” If you’ve been trying to quit cold turkey for weeks, months, or years — and it hasn’t worked — then it’s probably time to consider another strategy. Maybe you should take a monthlong break from alcohol or drugs.
• Or perhaps you should start slowly. For example, you could cut back on your intake by half for one weekend. After a few successful weekends, gradually increase the amount of days off. Then, begin eliminating altogether until eventually you reach your goal.
• 34. “People love you when you’re sober.” Once you achieve a healthy lifestyle, people will notice. Your friends and family members will tell you this over and over again. Many of them have found sobriety inspiring and encouraging. So trust us and believe it yourself. Your life is worth living. Everyone would love to celebrate it with you.
• 35. “Keep working toward recovery.” Even though you may have already reached your goal, it doesn’t mean you can stop striving for more. In fact, you should be thinking about ways you can improve your program to ensure that you maintain your sobriety. Remember, things do happen. The key is to learn from the mistakes so that you won’t repeat them.
• 36. “Addiction isn’t your fault.” Despite popular beliefs, alcoholism and drug abuse don’t necessarily stem from personal shortcomings. That means that if someone else did something wrong, then he/she must bear responsibility for his/her actions. But, you might think, “What if I was given drugs or alcohol?” If you are ever in a situation where other substances were present, then you can also claim innocence. However, simply being around someone engaging in illegal behavior doesn’t qualify you as an accomplice in any way. You’ll still have a chance to get sober and stay that way.
• 37. “I am not my addiction.” One common misconception in the world of addiction is the notion that addicts are always their own worst enemies. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Addiction affects every aspect of our lives. We lose relationships, jobs, homes, families, and dignity. As a result, we often feel ashamed, embarrassed, guilty, and unworthy of anything good in our lives. This mindset makes success all but impossible to attain. What’s worse, most addicts can’t even recognize themselves when they look in the mirror. They feel dirty, hopeless, and helpless.
• 38. There is help out there.” When you’re ready to turn your life around, remember that you aren’t alone in your struggle. There are many resources available to help you get on track.
• 39. The only thing standing between me and a better life is myself.” If you want to change your life, then you need to make changes. The sooner you admit your problem, the quicker you can recover. And without treatment, chances are, you will fail. It’s easy to fall into old patterns of behavior. Just because you tried before does not guarantee that you will succeed now. Be honest with yourself, realize your limitations, and work hard to overcome obstacles along the path toward sobriety.
• 40. Sending out positive energy will bring positive results.” Whether you know it or not, everyone has the power to send out positive vibrations at any moment. Whether through words, thoughts, gestures, or touch, each strong person can direct his/her inner landscape by sending out ripples of inspiration and enlightenment. This is what makes spirituality such an effective tool in recovery. Spirituality helps you find meaning, purpose, and direction in your life. By connecting with higher spiritual forces, you empower yourself with motivation, hope, encouragement, and willpower to create a new and productive reality.
• 41. “It takes 12 steps to make it.” Many people believe that recovery can occur overnight if they just take the first step. While this statement is partially true, you cannot go from zero to hero in one day. Withdrawal, cravings, guilt, and shame tend to cloud your judgment. Before you jump right back into living your life again, you must develop a solid foundation upon which to build. As hard as it sounds, it takes time to build self-confidence, trust your recovery program, and continue to move forward.
• 42. “You don’t have to give up everything.” No matter how difficult your addiction has been, you can rebuild your life from scratch. Yes, it will take some sacrifice, but nothing drastic. Start small; begin with something simple like cleaning your house or washing dishes. In no time, you’ll be so proud of yourself that you won’t even care about the things you used to do.
• 43. “Addiction doesn’t define who I am.” Many people think that being addicted means they are inherently flawed individuals. Recovery is an opportunity to redefine yourself and reclaim your identity. You may still face tremendous challenges in the future. But unlike addiction, these struggles should never dominate your existence.
• 44. “Life throws us curveballs, but we choose whether to hit them out of the park.” Life is full of surprises, but we are always free to choose how to respond. You can choose to embrace the unexpectedness of life, accept life as it comes, or let fear dictate your moods. When faced with adversity, it is important to remember that you are ultimately in control of your destiny.
• 45. “When I get my next drink or drug, I’m going to feel 100% sober” An addict might say this in order to justify relapse. However often he says it, however many times it occurs, he’s lying. Drinking or using isn’t going to make him feel anything less than 100 percent sober. It will simply block out the pain of feeling empty. He’s already experiencing withdrawal symptoms—the very same ones that he once experienced when he was high on drugs or alcohol. The difference lies in the fact that he can handle those feelings without further chemical assistance. If someone’s able to use their natural coping mechanisms within the context of sobriety, it’s much easier to maintain abstinence than if they were to revert to drinking/using while dealing with intense emotions.
• 46. “I am not an alcoholic!” We see people all around us every day who appear perfectly normal until we learn more about their lives. They may seem to lead successful lives at work, love relationships, parenting roles, or whatever else…but inside, they’re battling addictions. And, too often, they keep their problems secret from friends, family, co-workers, spouses, children, bosses, and others who could help them recover. So, why would you want to identify yourself with this terrible affliction? If you’d rather not admit any problem, then don’t tell anyone what you’re facing. Instead, pretend that you don’t have a problem. That way, nobody can accuse you of hiding anything.
• 47. “If you’re doing fine, then you must be fine.” This statement can sometimes put pressure on recovering addicts. People who want to remain clean often struggle with maintaining the image that others expect. Addiction is a serious issue best handled by professional support systems. When you do decide to share information with loved ones, be sure to discuss your progress, ask for advice, and set a plan for continued support. Don’t worry if others comment negatively on your behavior. Some things just aren’t meant to be said. They’ll only hurt you.
• 48. The power of positive thinking.” People believe that positive thinking keeps them healthy and happy. In turn, they take positive actions to improve themselves. Recovery programs teach that negative thoughts cause emotional reactions that cause physical responses. For instance, ruminating over past mistakes causes stress which leads to cravings for booze and other substances. So, if you find yourself constantly dwelling on your mistakes, consider finding ways to change your perspective. For example, instead of saying “I’m such a loser,” try thinking “I made a mistake, learned something valuable, and now I’ve got a new outlook that helps me succeed in life.”
• 49. “Everyone thinks I’m so cool because I stay clean for months at a time.” Unfortunately, this kind of thinking perpetuates the myths surrounding recovery. It lets people believe that those who claim they’re abstinent are actually trying to impress anybody. But they’re really just fooling themselves; they’re still living lives full of substance abuse.
• 50. I won’t drink if I run into problems later tonight.” The truth: You’ll always have some level of anxiety, even after years of recovery. What matters most is how you deal with those uncomfortable emotions. If you choose to drink as a tool of self-medication, you’ll end up having trouble staying sober. If you use willpower to avoid drinking when you feel anxious, then you’ll need to exercise that same strength again tomorrow, next week, and whenever you get anxious in the future. By choosing to not drink when feeling anxious, you’re teaching yourself to live sober when you might otherwise feel tempted to drink.
• 51. “I’m better than everyone! I deserve respect.” Self-esteem is an important part of recovery. However, it doesn’t mean you should define yourself in terms of being better than other people. Many people think that being an addict means that you’re less worthy of consideration than others. It’s true that we tend to treat our own needs and wants before we attend to other individuals’ needs. The question isn’t whether you deserve respect; the question is how much respect you deserve. Consider the following questions to help determine what respect feels like to you: How much does meeting my basic needs matter? Do I have a right to receive respect from others? Am I willing to earn it? How will I respond if others don’t show me due regard? Once you answer these questions honestly, you’ll know if you truly are deserving of respect.
• 52. “Drinking equals happiness.” This one is easy—it’s false. Happiness usually comes from many different sources. It can come from family, friends, employment or money, personal goals or interests, hobbies, spiritual beliefs, etc. All of us have different reasons why we enjoy our daily activities. Alcohol isn’t necessary for a good day, especially if it brings you more unhappiness than joy.
• 53. “If I go out tonight, there’s no way I’ll be able to stop drinking by morning.” The truth: Some days seem easier than others. While it may be difficult to resist drinking every night, it’s also possible to learn how to resist during the day. As long as you plan ahead and keep a stash of clean dollars handy, you can make it through the evening without spending any money on alcohol. Once you’ve passed the first hour of the day and aren’t craving a drink, you’ll probably notice that you don’t want anything alcohol related.
• 54. There’s nothing wrong with me.” Addiction is a disease that affects the entire body, mind and spirit. Without a physical addiction, you simply wouldn’t feel comfortable saying, “There’s nothing wrong” about your life. After all, addiction makes us feel terrible about ourselves, our families and our partners. If we didn’t suffer because of our addictions, we wouldn’t say there was something wrong with us. You’ve likely said things like “I’m okay,” “It’s no big deal,” or “I haven’t done anything wrong” throughout your lifetime. When you’re ready to talk openly about your feelings, consider reading over the list below. Then speak with someone whom you trust and ask them to listen to your thoughts and reflections. You can work together to create new ways of speaking and relating to each other. Remember, recovery is about learning and growing into a healthy relationship with yourself and your loved ones.
• 55. “My only hope is to get sober and stay that way.” A common thought among those struggling with addiction. Recovery is a lifelong process, not just a temporary solution. To remain abstinent requires determination, commitment and consistency. Sometimes, we forget that. We may wish away addictive behaviors or temptations in our minds. Over time, however, they return in full force. They’re harder to handle when we become accustomed to them. That’s why it takes courage to fight back against our cravings. Don’t give up. Your sobriety won’t end until you do.
• 56. “What else could I possibly need?” There are countless reasons we might use addictive substances. While some of us believe we really need alcohol or drugs to cope with stress, others see their usage as an attempt to escape pain. Whatever the reason, this is simply another example of escaping reality. In fact, escaping the problem at hand often leads to another problem. For example, if you struggle with anger issues and find yourself angry most of the time, drinking may give you relief for a short period of time. Unfortunately, it usually causes you to be even angrier in the weeks afterward.
• 57. “The world would hate me if they knew…” Sooner or later, you’ll realize that it’s unlikely that anyone knows what you’re going through. And while it’s true that many people judge you based solely on your appearance, they don’t know the real you. They have no idea what it feels like to experience withdrawal symptoms. Nor do they understand the terror and hopelessness that ensues after having lost control of your emotions. Perhaps worst of all, they don’t truly care. Their concern should be directed toward getting you help–not punishing you. People who love you will support your journey whether they recognize it or not. They’ll be proud of you when you succeed and disappointed if you fall. It’s always best to let people know exactly where you stand so they can guide you accordingly.

Conclusion

Your recovery process is going to take time. It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong answer to any question. The answers you come up with are unique to you.

You’ll never feel completely comfortable talking about your experiences. However, by sharing your life story, you’ll gain valuable insight into how others have dealt with similar situations.

Best of luck!