Syringes to Sobriety

Stories and Advice from a Real Heroin Addict
daily-recovery-affirmations

Daily Recovery Affirmations-August 14th, 2019

Syringes to Sobriety posts daily recovery affirmations for anyone who may need some inspiration. Our posts are not long-winded recovery preaching sermons and they are not always rainbows and puppies positive. Just some cold-hard truth. Some information we all need to hear. Take it or leave it. These daily recovery affirmations are not only for recovering users, although the discussion usually contains talk of drugs because this was my truth. The only way I can help others is to speak my truth. So enjoy!

Daily Recovery Affirmation

“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Affirmation Discussion

This quote, by the lovely Eleanor Roosevelt, should spark something in the reader stuck in a chaotic lifestyle, battling substance abuse disorder, as well as those who feel they are not living the life they had planned for themselves.

Whether you feel desperate, depressed, manic, frightened, or just plain fed up, I HAVE BEEN THERE. Millions of other peopel have felt the way you do right now.

While using we spend massive amounts of time wishing our lives were different. If we put a little bit of effort toward changing each day, we would start to get somewhere…start to recover. For tips on how to implement cahnge gradually, refer to How To Get Off Drugs- The Power of Imagination

Having the right mindset, knowing you want to recover, is a great starting point, but those who fail to take a step over the starting line, never get any closer to the finishing line. In other words, you have to do something if you want to recover or change your life at all.

Eleanor Roosevelt got it right. Stop wasting your energy wishing. Use that energy to make a plan, to DO SOMETHING.

DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING

Take a few minutes each day to make a list. When you start daydreaming about how different you wish your life was, or how many things you were so close to accomplishing before your started using, take out a pen and paper. Start making tiny goals. Simple stuff. For example:

  • Call an addiction hotline to see what services are out there
  • Register for state health insurance
  • Call my local methadone clinic
  • Find my local N.A. meeting hall
  • Find a local SMART meeting
  • Register for food stamps
  • Apply for a job

After you have your list, take a few minutes out of each day thereafter to check things off your list. Refer to How to Get off Drugs for a more detailed example of how to accomplish this.

Listen, I have been there. Homeless, staying in crappy motel rooms, sleeping with one eye open, grateful you even have a room for the night. I have been desperate enough to steal to get my next high just to stay well. I knew if I let myself get sick there was no way I could hustle to get another motel room. It is all such chaos thinking back on it.

Think about how hard you work toward getting your fix each day. Stealing, getting money, cashing gift cards, trading favors, and so on.

If you put even ten percent of that energy toward doing one small thing (like the examples listed above) for your recovery each day, you will start to feel better. GUARANTEED.

Eventually, you will gain the momentum needed to put all your energy toward living the life you really want to live.

Before I forget…

Oh yeah, one more thing! If your ideal life does not look like what society tells you a recovered drug user’s life should look like, more power to you! You do you, but try to take Eleanor’s advice. After all, she was a very wise woman! You won’t regret it.

12 comments on “Daily Recovery Affirmations-August 14th, 2019

  1. Hi. Thanks. It brought home a few harsh memories but some good one too, of friends and family – I poured out a JDs’ for them (before dropping a couple), 15 minutes ago after reading thru some of your stuff.
    I survived, dented but ok. I connect with your straight talk- when you’ve walked the wild side, there ain’t never any other wat but to say it how you mean it.

    I’m gonna keep your site bookmarked and link it through mine, if that’s cool.
    You got some worthwhile shit to say and people gotta know it.

    Ok.
    Seeya.
    Hori W.

    1. Hori- absolutely. Yes, I actually get annoyed when people do not just tell it like it is. I can tell you are on the same page. Happy holidays! Going to check out your site right now. Thanks a million for reading! Stay in touch.
      ANA

  2. I am so impressed by your courage. Thank you for the strong reminder that it takes action to move away from the problem (whatever that is) Wow!! Just Wow!! Thank you for sharing your journey. I am proud of you for taking control. Bless you!

  3. Hi, what an inspiring post!
    I agree with you when you said that having the right mindset, knowing what you want to recover, is a good starting point. You have said it all here! And I think it applies to all areas of life. It is an absolute truth that anyone considering change must take into account. Awareness of what we want, willingness and discipline are keys that can lead to real change.
    Thank you for this inspiring and edifying article!

    1. Thank you, Sebastian. Definitely a great quote to apply to all aspects of life! I love what you say in this comment, but I would add one more step. Awareness, willingness, ACTION, and discipline. Thanks for reading!

  4. I like the quote you used here because it really is true.
    I have not struggled with drugs but I certainly have had times where I felt down.
    This is a very inspiration post for anyone looking for some encouragement.
    Focusing on making small but consistent changes could lead to making very significant changes in your life.
    Thanks for the positive affirmations!

  5. This is a strong affirmation. I know someone who could really use it.
    You have been through a lot. I admire you for having found your way out of that difficult past.
    I recently dated someone who is in a rehabilitation center. We went out for a month, and while drugs were not the issue (he had been clean for a year) his anger definitely was. He also blamed everything on circumstances and other people. I tried to help him, but I honestly didn’t know how to handle it.
    I’m glad I found your post today.

    1. Sometimes, for your own personal health, you have to walk away from trying to help people. Even if you care for that person deeply. If you get caught up in it(for example, if his anger was directed toward you), you will not be able to help. You become a part of the problem until he sorts his own issues out. Leave it to the professionals, as you did. Especially in situations where your safety is risked. I used to try to help the world but lost sight of helping myself. It got me nowhere. Thanks for reading!

  6. In the world we live in, the above raises some very important topics.

    I cannot say I have been in this situation personally, but I have seen many others at low depths, struggling to overcome personal demons and addictions, and draining a lot of their energy.

    It is easier said than done, but we do have it in us to devote some of our time to helping, and striving for something a bit better.

    Applying the free spirited feeling that is often associated with drug use to other ventures that can fill your life with more purpose and focus, would be a great way to move forward.

    Thank you for the remedies provided above and ideas raised.

    1. Hello Shane! I agree with you tenfold that this is easier said than done. I am reminded of a great by the great Yoda of Star Wars :). There is no try, only do. For me, when I try to implement the above in my daily life, things come together. They get done. In other words, the act of trying (doing) gets me so much further than just thinking about something. Sometimes we get stuck in our heads and, all of a sudden, five years have passed and we are still telling ourselves we want to make the same changes. A little bit of effort goes a long way. Thanks for stopping by!

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