Former Drug Addicts Share Their Inspiring Recovery Stories (23 PICS + 1 GIF)

Posted in NSFW 6 Aug 2021 2057 3

"I went from being 89 pounds, addicted to heroin, and suicidal to finally feeling the miracle people in recovery were talking about. It took 9 rehabs and more detoxes than I can count, but one day I got it. With God, anything is possible. Don’t give up."

"All I ever wanted to do in life was make my Dad proud. Recovery gave me the opportunity to do that. Two years ago he passed away. It was one of the lowest points of my life, but I’m proud to say that he left this world knowing that I was okay. At that time I had 7 years clean. Things weren’t always like that though.

For years I was the crackhead. The dope fiend. The kid who would sell his soul for 80 milligrams of OxyContin. My recovery in the end was pretty simple. I I did it the old school way and just took suggestions. I went to detox. Then I went to treatment. And after that I found a seat in Narcotics Anonymous. Years later I’m still holding on to that seat. Years later I’m still making my Dad proud. Today makes 9 years clean!"

"5 years clean today! The second pic is me in jail in 2014. My dad took a bunch of pics so I wouldn’t forget. I can laugh now. I look at that picture and see a naive young women that was careless and selfish. Today, I realize how precious life is and I continue to work on myself using the 12 steps to become a better woman. Recovery changed me and continues to make me better. I love my life and don’t ever want to take it for granted. I’m so grateful for NA and the program that saved my life. 5 years is a long time for an addict like me, I’m so proud of myself!"

"Hi my name is Cassandra and I’m a recovering addict and alcoholic. I’m am 380 days clean and sober. For me my addiction didn’t escalate till 3 years ago . I was always addicted to prescription medications. 3 years ago I started drinking and using everyday . It was fun for a long time till it took over my life. By the end of my using I was using and drinking just to get up out of bed and to function.

I ended up in the mental health unit multiple times, I was physically and sexually abused , got in trouble with the law, I tried to commit suicide and my kids left to live with their dad. I lost everything and everyone around me. I was in drug psychosis or a long time. I made the decision on March 7 2020 that my life was worth living .I went to rehab for 10 months . Did everything I needed to to become myself again . My children deserve to have their mother back. My family needed me back.

Today I am so proud to say that I am clean and sober and loving my new life . My children have a strong , resilient, loving mother that they deserve. I have found myself again and I cannot wait to see what my future holds."

"My drug use caused me to go septic and the infection in my heart left me with endocarditis. The doctors told me I had 12 months to live if I kept using. They said my heart wouldn’t hold up after that. Here’s a picture of me at my college yesterday. I have 34 months clean today!"

"Picture on the left was summer of 2019. It was the year my addictions and disease held me captive. Drinking everyday, smoking weed from the moment I got up, till I went to bed. I was never sober, physically, emotionally or spiritually. I would wake up witb a bowl in my hand, drink on the nightstand and reached for both without caring what or who it would affect this next morning.

Later that year, god graced me with a moment of clarity. He brought me to my knees, and I dialed the phone to reach out for help for the first time in 2 decades. REAL help, not superficial I’m drunk and “might be an alcoholic,” bs. I admitted I was an alcoholic to my uncle and there I surrendered fully for the first time in 37 years. Today I am free, only by the grace of god. Along with working with a sponsor, attending daily meetings and helping other women in the program. I wake up clear minded, grateful and willing to do whatever it takes each and every morning. Because the truth is, I’m an alcoholic and if I don’t my disease will present itself to take over again and again."

"My names vinny, and I’m an addict. I started taking pills following a surgery and for 7 years fell into a downward spiral that ended up in abscesses, collapsed veins, & felonies. I nearly lost my life and overdosed several times but by the grace of God I got a 2nd chance. When I got out of prison I swore I’d never make a mistake again and I finally have my life back. LIVING instead of existing. Beautiful girlfriend by my side and a family that supports me. 2 things I’d never have with a needle in my arm. Today I am 150 days sober from all substances and living proof that it can be done!"

"This is what it looks like when you beat heroin addiction!"

"I had substance abuse issues for years. Meth was my latest battle. I lost custody of my three year old daughter. Lost my job, my car, my home, my license. Everything. I felt like I didn’t have anything left to lose. I ended up in ICU after contracting MRSA from using a dirty needle. The infection was in my brain, lungs and heart. I had two heart valves replaced due to severe endocarditis. I also required a pacemaker, and about 5 weeks of IV antibiotics before I was able to go home.

I knew I’d messed myself up this time. Of all the people I thought were my friends that I used with, not a single one called to check on me. Ever. But everyday my parents would visit. I realized then how stupid I was for pushing away the people that truly loved me and, I couldn’t bear to hurt them by killing myself with drugs. I was released to go home and stayed sober. Now, since being clean for just 7 months, I’ve regained my relationship with my child, I have a job, and got my license reinstated. All of these things fell back into place so quickly. Sobriety has given me pride and joy that being on drugs stole. It is possible! There is whole new life out there waiting for you. Message us if you need help"

"My name is Brittney and I have 3 years 7 months and 5 days clean and sober. I went from a homeless junkie that lost her kids and everything she ever lived and owned to a severe meth addiction.

I turned my will and my life over on October 12th, 2017. I am now a full-time single mother, a full-time student, an alcohol and drug counselor, homeowner, dog, and cat mom, and the biggest advocate to those still struggling. We do recover!"

"I’m Lexi and I am an addict. Never did I quite think that was what I would become as I grew older. I let addiction take over my life, before it had really even started.

My first use with my DOC was November 9, 2018. I remember it like it was yesterday. Everything changed from that day on. I lied and cheated my way through addiction. Nobody was aware of the depth of it until May 7, 2019. I contacted MRSA and went septic from using dirty needles from the streets. I was unaware of what was happening in my body, and became paralyzed. I went into the E.R. and was on life support at 19. I didn’t come out for seventy days. The sepsis spread to my heart, and lungs. I was left with endocarditis, and had to have several lung surgeries and chest tube. Sadly my using didn’t end after those events. I continued to chase a hide I’d never find again. I continued with my drug abuse through out the next year. Three overdoses and nothing would stop me.

I moved back to my hometown in March of 2020 and I became a garbage can addict. Anything I could get I’d take. I drained every last dollar I had. I continued to lie to those I loved for the next one. I began to shoot cocaine, leaving me with abscesses and collapsed veins. By the grace of God on May 13 my family found out the depths of my addiction. They were fed up. I was fed up. There was no where else to turn, no home, no job. Within twelve hours I was on a flight to go to treatment. On May 14, 2020 I used for the last time.

I moved across the country. I went to treatment. I learned how to cope without drugs. I learned life happens on life’s terms. I learned I can’t fix others, I can only fix myself. My relationships with my family and friends have been mended. I graduated with my Bachelors. I have a huge support system. I finally learned to be someone I am proud of. Once an addict always an addict, but I am living proof that WE DO RECOVER!"

"My name is Grace and I am an addict. I went from being the daughter of two police officers who was completely against drugs to the girl who needed to get high just to make it through the day. I became unrecognizable so quickly. I never would have thought I would be the girl addicted to drugs but I was. After losing the love of my life to this awful disease in May of 2020 I relapsed after having some clean time.

My bottom kept getting lower and lower. How could I turn to the same drug that killed the person I love? I’ll never understand that but addiction is so powerful. I’m proud to say that I now have 6 months of constant sobriety under my belt and I’ve never felt better. From waking up every morning wishing I hadn’t to actually looking forward to my future. I’m so grateful for a second chance at life. Recovery is possible."

"At the age of 18, I started injecting heroin and meth into my body. Two years later, I was diagnosed with HIV because of my drug use. That caused me to go further down the rabbit hole. At age 25, on December 12th, I was left in an ally to overdose and die, but by the grace of God a woman found me and happened to have Narcan. On December 17th, I decided to get clean. I’ve now been sober for 17 months and 15 days. I am living proof that Narcan is not enabling or a waste of money. I am living proof that we do recover. If you need help send a message into the page."

"The picture on the left is of me right after an overdose. The picture on the right is me now. I started using hard drugs at 12 years old and after a long road of harsh consequences, I finally can say that I am in long term recovery. Today, I celebrate 14 months clean. I never thought I would be able to get 14 days. Today, I am a good man worthy of love and respect. I am so grateful to finally be living instead of merely existing."

"3 months clean from heroin and meth. I choose to live!"

"My Son is coming up on 3 years of sobriety. His drugs of choice were heroin, meth, and anything else he could get his hands on. He was addicted since he was 15 years old. Today, he is almost 31z I can not explain how proud I am of him. I have two sons. My youngest boy is sadly still in addiction. He is 27 and has been an addict since he was 14. Needless to say, it has been a hard road, as a Mom, but this accomplishment of my oldest just lights my heart up. He takes it one day at a time and has learned to push through and persevere on the bad days. He is my miracle!"

"This is my beautiful baby sister, Morgan. She battled with active addiction for many years and has shared her story with the Addict’s Diary in the past. Yesterday marked 3 years since since she should’ve been gone. Today marks 3 years since she walked out of ICU and made the decision to leave the drugs in her past. She has grown so much over these 3 years. She is the mother, daughter, sister, and aunt that we missed for so long. She also went back to school and has a career! The sky is the limit when you leave the drugs behind and this beautiful soul is proof of that! I pray for all of the lost souls and the families that are hurting. May this be your story in 3 years. Don’t be afraid to reach out!"

"In mid-September I overdosed on Xanax. I fell on the ground and stayed there for a long time resulting in blood flow loss to my legs. They had to amputate my leg right above the knee. I spent three months in a hospital then five weeks in a rehab. This disease dragged me and my family around for 10 years, and I know some of the things I put them through are the worst things anyone can see happen to their family member.

The most amazing thing that has happened in these eight months of sobriety is that instead of getting down on myself, I have never laughed more in my entire life. I love my life today. I hang with the family, take cruises to Brooklyn, do physical therapy, and attend Zoom meetings all the time. I’m really proud of what I’ve overcame. I’m a great son to my parents, a great brother to my siblings, and just the best version of myself."

"Three years ago I was fighting a ten year drug addiction, going through withdrawals while sitting in a hospital waiting for my son to be born wondering, “How am I ever going to be a father to my child?” I got on my hands and knees in the bathroom and I begged God that if he got me through that week that I promise I would never look back. Well, three years later and I haven’t broken that promise. Today makes three years clean!"

"My name is Bryan, and I’m an addict. Like most people I started with OxyContin. Where I lived we called it “hillbilly heroin.” Once they cut the pill mills off I fell even further down, and so began my 15 year heroin addiction. I was once married with a family and a home, heroin took that from me. I’ve been incarcerated multiple times in multiple states. I pushed my parents away.

I’ve overdosed multiple times. And in the end—I didn’t care if I lived or died. Out of desperation I decided to try treatment again. I went against my own sick know it all type of thinking for once. I got into fitness. I worked on building up my mind, my body, and most importantly my spirit. I’m proud to say I have 6 months clean now. My parents are back in my life, and I’m learning to love Bryan again."

"Hey everyone I’m Tony and for 16 years I struggled with my addiction. Drugs took everything from me. I found myself homeless with three bags of clothing, and my dog. I went across the country with 20 bucks in my pocket to a place I had never been and God changed my life. To anyone who doesn’t believe they can get better guess what? Today, I am 5 months clean!"

"The picture on the left was in 2015. I was lost. I was in jail. I had lost custody of my two boys. I was homeless. Drugs had took everything from me. I remember crying out to God to help me! I went to rehab for the third time in November of 2015. This time I was determined to get my life back. I stayed 2 months in rehab and then went on to live in a transitional house for 6 months. I met my husband in recovery during that time. Fast forward to now. I am 5 years and 5 months sober. That girl on the right is filled with so much love and life.

I have 3 handsome boys and 3 beautiful step daughters. We have a beautiful family! I have a career as an insurance agent! We have our own house, cars and most of all we have our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God carried me through this entire journey. He never let me go. My life has a purpose today. My husband and I run a Recovery Meeting in our home town. Helping other addicts like me find their way brings me so much happiness!! Recovery is awesome!! My life is wonderful today!! I give all praise to God!!!"