10 People Share What Addiction Recovery Means to Them

In observance of National Recovery Month in September, we’ve gathered at Recovery Brands to put stories of hope in the spotlight through our site Recovery.org. Each week throughout the month, we will be we honoring those in recovery, and the loved ones and communities surrounding them. By celebrating the strength, love, success and perseverance of these individuals, our hope is to deliver a message of inspiration, encouragement, understanding and acceptance to others traveling this road.

To kick things off, we’re celebrating the success of 10 individuals and what recovery means to them. It’s easy to believe that addiction takes a lot away — and it can — but at the same time, it can give so much. 

Sadly, the stigma of addiction still runs deep in society. In fact, 82.2 percent of individuals struggling with addiction have felt stigmatized. For many, it can be difficult — even in recovery — to escape feelings of shame, fear, embarrassment or failure associated with the disease. It’s time to break the perception that addiction or mental health disorders define a person’s life. Let’s celebrate the possibilities of full, powerful lives in recovery: loving family members, successful business owners, courageous leaders, loyal friends, dedicated employees and innovative thinkers!

These are the stories of life in recovery…

“Recovery means having a fair shot at happiness, instead of living in constant misery. With that happiness, I’m able to have a successful career and be there for my wife and daughter.”

“So many people are worried about what they don’t have, or about what they need to have; In my recovery, I get to be grateful for all that I have and all that I get to experience. That changes the whole world. Now I get to be a dear husband, a great dad, an employer, business partner, triathlete and so much more that I never even knew I wanted.”

“Now that I am clean, I am able to face adversity with a clear mind and make responsible decisions. Recovery is possible now that I am able to deal with adversity fearlessly.”

“Recovery means freedom. Freedom to be who I am, to be who I want to be. Freedom to do what I want to do, and the freedom to continue writing the rest of my story. Freedom to make my dreams come true and to dream again.”

“Recovery means having opportunity I didn’t have before. Having opportunity means being able to be a great husband, dad and member of my community.”

“Before recovery I was in fear of everything. After I got a connection with the universe, fear was replaced with faith. The stronger and more intimate my connection was with my higher power, the universe, the more I realized the power is within and I became more confident! Without my recovery, I never would have found my empowerment, which in turn helps me to be of maximum service to the universe’s children!”

“Recovery means freedom from having to wake up needing a devil substance that controls your entire life. Recovery means a chance at a new found life, a new beginning, a second chance at life, and for that I am grateful.”

“Recovery means rebirth and a second chance at life. A second chance to be the son and brother I used to be. Life in recovery presents many new opportunities that were never possible as an active alcoholic.”

“Today I have friends that I can count on. I can be a friend and help others.”

“Recovery means honesty because it is part of the foundation of my recovery. I value honesty with myself and with others. It allows me to be genuine in my relationship.”

Get social! Tell us what recovery means to you by using #RBRecoveryMonth on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or leave a comment below.