According to NIH (National Institute on Drug Abuse), many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.
The road to recovery can be long and challenging, but sticking to what works and taking suggestions can lead to success. Staying positive when things get rough is key. Simple positive affirmations and motivational quotes such as the following can help you get through the day:
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington
In our addiction, we are thinking of only our needs and ourselves and if we continue this in our recovery we feel like something’s missing; something doesn’t feel right. We find happiness in making others happy. Being selfless and being of service to others is the key to happiness and lifelong recovery.
“Don’t count the days, make the days count.” – Muhammad Ali
You spend your day worrying about how much recovery time you have or don’t have you waste your time. Make today count.
“The activity of worrying, keeps you immobilized.” – Wayne Dyer
You will achieve nothing by worrying whether or not you will fail and relapse. Keep moving forward and taking suggestions then you’ll have no time to worry.
“There is no security on this earth; there is only opportunity.” – Douglas Macarthur
Nothing is guaranteed in this world and nothing stays the same. The opportunity for change, for being uncomfortable is growth in life and recovery.
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nobody wants to be sober and miserable and many of us addicts fear that. Put all your effort and enthusiasm into your recovery, and just like the Big Book says, “you will have a life beyond your wildest dreams.”
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain
Going through most of our lives as an addict, it is hard to think things will ever be different, but we will never know until we try. Take a chance, what’s there to lose?
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar
Your attitude–how you think about yourself and others, how you treat people, the words you use, your body language, the way you act and interact with others–has more impact on your current recovery and future success in recovery than how knowledgeable or skillful you are at something.
“You become what you believe.” – Oprah Winfrey
Everyone can tell you how good looking you are or how smart you are, but until you believe it, it won’t be. What you think of yourself is the only thing that matters.
“On the way to work, concentrate on the way – not the work.” – Jim Rohn
Life is a journey, enjoy the ride, take chances, live and learn.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Suess
Change is growth, change in one’s life is a good thing, whether it’s for the better or worse. Without change, there would be no joy and no excitement in what the future holds.
Located in the heart of Northern New Jersey, Garden State Treatment Center is an outpatient and partial care addiction treatment facility that offers multiple levels of care for individuals struggling with the horrors of substance abuse. It is our explicit goal to help addicted clients rebuild their lives from the inside out and reintegrate themselves back into society.