8 Inspirational Quotes To Fuel Your Addiction Recovery

Learning how to maintain your sobriety and stay in long-term recovery from addiction may be one of the hardest journeys that you will ever have to undertake. But there is plenty of reason to stay hopeful as you make your way towards a healthier, happier future, which is why we rounded up these eight great quotes to illustrate some of the many important principles that may help you through as you progress in your recovery.

1. “No one is immune from addiction; it afflicts people of all ages, races, classes, and professions.” – Patrick J. Kennedy

One of the most important things to remember about addiction is that it doesn’t discriminate. If you are struggling with addiction, you are never suffering alone, and, considering that it puts you in company as distinguished as famous mental health advocate and congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, you’re actually in pretty good company. Add a whole host of other celebrities, and you get a pretty good glimpse of why suffering from addiction should be nothing to be ashamed of, as well as plenty of case studies proving that full recovery is indeed within your reach.

2. “People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them.” – George Bernard Shaw

Some people in recovery from addiction have a habit of romanticizing their drug use, and thus find themselves unreasonably emotionally attached to the very substance that is clearly and thoroughly destroying their lives. In active addiction, the pain your drug use is causing you becomes bearable, even comfortable. This quote reminds us of the importance of pushing back against the impulse to keep carrying the heavy weight of the addiction you know, as you can instead work towards letting go of the past as you move on towards the healthier horizons of recovery. 

3. “If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz

One day at a time may be a well-worn recovery cliche, but it’s one that’s definitely worth repeating and rephrasing in as eloquent a way as does the poet Sáenz. As you amass more and more days, then weeks, then months, and then years and decades in recovery, eventually what seemed impossibly difficult at first will start to seem almost like second nature—if you can just make it through those uncomfortable first steps. 

4. “What is addiction really? It’s a sign, a signal, a symptom of distress. It’s a language that tells about a plight that must be understood” – Alice Miller

Often, addiction is merely a sign of underlying mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, or is a coping mechanism for a traumatic past. By addressing these underlying issues, like you will be able to do in our sober living housing and intensive treatment program, you will be able to conquer your addiction by pulling the rug out from under it, and to get one step closer to unlocking your truest self. 

5. “The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” – Ernest Hemingway

One of my favorite lessons I’ve found while researching addiction and recovery is that some of our worst flaws, may, when appropriately harnessed, not actually be flaws at all. Qualities like sensitivity, adventurousness, and passion, when they are not keeping you locked in the hell of active addiction, can in fact be harnessed into the strength you need to live an incredible life in recovery. Lessons that you learned in your darkest moment can be the foundation you need for a bright and hopeful tomorrow, and can help you remember why it’s so important to swear off substance abuse for good. 

6. Addiction is an adaptation. It’s not you. It’s the cage you live in – Johann Hari

This quote comes from Hari’s book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, which also references the Rat Park experiments, which themselves suggest that one’s environment plays a critical role in why any individual falls into addiction. A full recovery may require a drastic change in your circumstances, but you can indeed free yourself from the tyranny of addiction if you put enough effort into getting out of your cage. 

7. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

This is another case where the fact that a quote is simple doesn’t mean that it doesn’t contain an important philosophical insight. Addiction recovery can be messy, and you may have to deal with setbacks or even full-blown relapses. But whatever weird and winding road you take towards sobriety, the journey will always be more than worth the effort.

8. One of the hardest things was learning that I was worth recovery – Demi Lovato

Though the parameters of her recovery right now may be questionable, Demi Lovato has still proven herself to be an inspirational role model for a sober lifestyle after surviving a life-threatening overdose. 

If someone as successful and talented as Demi Lovato can have trouble finding the self-worth she needs to conquer her addiction,  there’s no reason to be ashamed of yourself for struggling to find it as well.  But, in recovery, you will eventually learn how brightly you can shine when you are not dimming your potential with substances, which is what makes this quote an inspirational one. 

Explore Sober Living At Reco Institute

We hope you enjoyed this selection of inspirational quotes about addiction and recovery. To learn more about Reco Institute and how our sober living program can help support you in your journey towards holistic health and wellness, feel free to reach out to us at 561-665-5925.