Incredibly Inspiring Drug Addict Transformations! (15 PICS + 1 GIF)

Posted in RANDOM 27 Dec 2021 2011 1

"The picture on the left was my life for many years. I was a terrible heroin addict.

I was lost and broken. I didn’t know how to do life without drugs. They were my copeing mechanism for a very long time. Until they ended up controlling everything. Homelessness, overdoses, in and out of hospitals/treatment centers etc. I lost my self-respect and self-worth which in turn made it harder each time continue to try.

However, I thank God that I never did give up trying. I went to my last treatment center 4/12/2018. I finally got the help I really needed, and addressed my underlying issues. I got out of treatment and did the things that were suggested of me for many years that I was just too stubborn to try. I always thought I was “different” or “worse than” and that thinking kept me sick for a very long time. But the second I applied what I learned and listened to people, was the time I was able to stay sober. I had to get out of my own way.

Today I have 3 ½ years sober and I am extremely happy with my life. I remember praying for this life I have now and I wouldn’t change it for the world."

"My name is Desiree and I am a recovering addict and alcoholic. I have suffered for years with abusing crack cocaine, heroin, Xanax and Alcohol. I had lost everything including my children. The first picture is me broken. I was homeless and desperately looking for a way out . The second picture is me now with 6 months sober . I have so much gratitude today. By the grace of GOD and the fellowship of AA. I am now sober and serene. WE DO RECOVER"

"This is Gabrielle and she’s got 4 months sober today!"

"I was abusing alcohol for 18 years daily. As my second marriage was crumbling my drinking got out of control. On 11/01/19 I was 273 pounds on blood pressure and cholesterol pills. I was I mess. I had a drunken fall that broke my ribs so violently one of them punctured my spleen. What happened next was a host of complications and 14 surgeries too long to list. I was in a coma for 3 weeks and ICU for 55 days. All due to years of abuse and the body of an alcoholic shutting down. Not only was I lucky enough to survive, but I also chose to change my life forever. 11/01/21 I celebrated 2 years sober. I’ve lost 80 pounds and it feels amazing. I wanted to stop for years and live the life I’m living now but never could. Every aspect of my life is better. Family, relationship, work, and most importantly I finally love looking in the mirror and seeing who I’ve become."

"Let’s talk about this for a second because as time goes by I feel like this is something that can leave the mind but it’s always on mine no matter how long it’s been. 3/4/2016 I hopped on a plane, high out of my mind and went on a journey to Florida to get clean. Luckily I took an accidental video of myself nodding out on the plane as a great reminder of where I came from! 3/4/2016 is the last day I touched a drug. 3/5/2016 is my clean date. Fast forward to today (12/7/2021) and I’m in the paper for opening my very first cupcake shop!

It took A LOT for me to get here! It took a lot to get clean. It took a lot to be a single mom. It took a lot to find my passion. And it’s taken a lot to stay clean. I had someone tell me recently that because it’s been over 5 years, I’m not in recovery anymore, I’m recovered. But I don’t believe that at all. I’ll always be in recovery. What you don’t see on the outside is a girl that’s fighting on the inside every second of every single day to make sure I stay who I’ve changed myself into so I don’t go back to drugs. A girl who every second of every single day does specific things to lessen the chances of a relapse. This whole opening a small business thing has been rough. It’s definitely not for everyone. But knowing I made it through to finally opening the shop and where I am now, I know I can do absolutely anything I set my mind to. And for that I thank being an addict."

"Today, I am 2 weeks clean from injecting myself with meth. That’s two weeks distance between me lying to my friends and family, being in and out of detox, and nearly overdosing after every shot just to get high. I didn’t only look like I was going to die, but I was getting told from everyone around me I was going to die. Two weeks is considered nothing to most, but to me I feel lucky to even be here. I’m so blessed to have found the courage to let go of the person I had become. I am only 20 years old. I went from 155lbs to 85lbs in the blink of an eye. I was injecting myself with higher doses than anyone else around me and my body couldn’t handle it. I was ruining myself by the day. I was skin and bone. I have never looked so frail. My body would turn blue after every shot. I lost over 50% of my hair. I lost everyone close to me and despite everything, I continued using.

It takes everything in me everyday to not use and stay clean, but so far I can see that it is worth it. I am gaining weight. I am slowly gaining back relationships that I have lost. My hair is growing back. I got accepted into a Medical Aesthetics program beginning in December. I start working this week and things are slowly shifting together for the better. I am slowly learning to love life again. It will be a process but I know it’s worth it. This is how quickly things can come together in only 2 weeks of sobriety. It may look like nothing to some, but to me I am finally starting to recognize myself again. Reading other people’s stories gives me the hope I never thought was possible and I hope I can do the same for others."

"This was right after my facial reconstruction surgery. I was hammered drunk and ended up in a big fight and got the whole left side of my face smashed to pieces. Most can’t tell (so grateful for that surgeon) but I have 30+ titanium plates in my face. The surgery was almost 10 hours long. The recovery was the worst part. I had to sleep sitting up in a chair. Couldn’t even lay down for months and I was popping pain killers like candy. Butttt I guess god thought I was a little too sexy so he had to rough me up a bit.

And the other pic is me now. About 60 pounds heavier than I was then. I’m not gonna say life is super amazing now and that I’m happy all the time be that’s not the case. But seeing how far I’ve come and how much my perspective on life has changed is truly something special."

"Two pictures exactly a year apart. I don’t know if anyone else gets as happy as I do when I can see the drastic changes that happen to one’s physical appearance in recovery. Not to mention, my mentality, maturity, and overall positive outlook on life in general. If you don’t feel like change is possible, I am here to tell you THAT IS A LIE!"

"In the picture on the top left, I was super high on crystal meth & have no idea where I was or what I was doing.

In the middle-left picture, I was homeless, chillin on the porch of an AA clubhouse, days before the cops came to serve me a TPO & escort me off the property.

In the pic on the bottom left, I had just survived a heroin overdose & was thrown in jail into a turtle suit on the same day. I was truly on death’s doorstep…and something had to change if I was to live.

My entire adult life I have suffered from a disease of dis-ease & the only solution I knew was to blackout, over & over & over…

Today, it has been exactly 2 years since that mugshot and my life has changed drastically. This journey of recovery so far has been beautiful, frightening, & everything in between…

…I have learned that I suffer from childhood trauma, seemingly subtle & surely disregarded by many…by listening to others share, I have began to remember & unpack my past, to navigate my shadows, and I truly believe that I am well on the road to eliminate any remaining dis-ease or suffering, for good.

I don’t know much, but I do know that simply breathing air feels better than the drugs use to, service work & connection with other humans whom are healing is deep medicine, & that grace totally saved my life. I am also learning that this is not all about me, it is about WE…there is significant suffering occurring on the planet, & while we probably can’t fix it overnight….by allowing ourselves to heal, the world’s around us heal, & it’s an awesome start.

I could go on forever, but the whole point is…there are solutions! If you are still suffering, reach out to someone, give this world of healing/recovery & this experience called life an honest shot…you might be surprised what you find. Much love family."

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow is a special day. A day that at times I wasn’t sure I could reach. Tomorrow is day 365 days clean. Tomorrow is a true blessing for me. My family. My Husband. I WAS a drug addict. I WAS a functioning drug addict. I got up every day and went to work, which had me fooled into thinking I was in control. Until I wasn’t. 364 days ago today I was high wondering where the end was. Hoping it was near. But October 22nd I chose today. To take my life back, to let my loved ones know I would be ok. Within this time I’ve gotten married, started school, and getting my physical and mental health ready to start a family. Thank you God for letting me have that tomorrow.

Picture 1: active addiction. Picture 2: clean and getting married If you’re struggling, choose today. I promise it’s worth it."

"I was an addict way before I started doing meth. I always wanted to blame my ex for starting me on it, like I hadn’t been to treatment for drinking/partying already prior to even meeting him. I really thought by picking up for that first time that it would make him love me. I was so naive. Nothing in this world could have prepared me for the mental/emotional/physical abuse that was laid at my feet by him and my addiction. There is no love in that world.

Today I am clean and sober by the grace of God. God sent me an angel who just so happened to come in the form of a police officer, and I was arrested and had 30 days to get myself into inpatient treatment. Even though it wasn’t exactly what I had planned for myself, I really embraced the idea of changing my life and getting better. If I knew anything, anything at all, it was that I was powerless over my addiction and that I couldn’t get sober on my own.

Today I have been clean for 427 days! I managed to get my own place again finally for me and my kids. I attend regular therapy sessions and go to AA or NA religiously because that’s where my people are. I am becoming a better mother, sister, and daughter daily. And throughout this whole process of self discovery I am starting to learn to love myself and don’t have to wonder or even care if anyone else does or not. It really is amazing the miracles that I’ve witnessed just by starting to forgive myself. And just for today, I don’t have to use drugs or alcohol to feel okay. Recovery is so so beautiful, and most importantly, its possible. ♡ if you are struggling, please reach out! There is HOPE, ladies and gents."

"2 years apart. Active addiction & now. Can you add to your story. Maybe it’ll help show people that #wedorecover My name is Ruben and I’m an addict."

"He multiplies. He has multiplied my days into months. He has multiplied my happy days. He has multiplied my blessings. Lord knows I couldn’t do it without him. When I look at my mugshot from 2015 it is baffling. I could not believe that was me. Today I stand strong in faith knowing I can’t do it on my own. Me doing it on my own is the result of that mugshot. I didn’t know any better because that is all I knew. I didn’t understand the true meaning of God’s will and sure didn’t know how the hell to give up my own will to something I couldn’t see. The second picture is a result of something wayyy bigger than myself."

"3 years ago today I called my dad & told him I wanted to go back to treatment. 3 years ago today my dad told me he was going to kill me. 3 years ago today I asked God to take my life. 3 years ago today my aunt handed me a picture of Jesus & the serenity prayer. 3 years ago today Gods plan went into action."

"Hello, my name is Ashley. I haven’t publicly shared my story often so.. here goes. I have ptsd as well as borderline personality disorder. I grew up with abusive parents, was bullied every day in school until I graduated high school. Ended up with toxic and abusive exes.

I fell into alcoholism for more than 5 years. I used to boast about how much I can drink. At one point, I gained weight but it was painful. My body was swelling, and I was drunk all the time. After the break up of my last ex who has tried to kill me, my alcoholism got worse. I used to use people for alcohol or money to get alcohol. I used to wake up thinking about what time I’d head to the bar until closing.

One night I had a big accident. I was so intoxicated I lost my balance and fell on my face. I suffered a huge concussion and if there is anything else wrong with me, I have no idea. I have a hard time with our medical system here. One of the hardest steps that I am going through right now is forgiveness. And to not feel ashamed of myself. I am trying to learn how to forgive myself. I’m soon getting my own place for the first time. Might even go back to school! I’m succeeding my life goals that I had for a long time and it feels really good

I’m happy to be alive still. I used to be suicidal and hoped one day alcohol would take my life. Nothing in this life is ever worth losing it over. You matter. Your progression and your recovery matters. If you fall, always pick yourself back up. You are all so inspirational to me, and we are warriors. Thank you for reading."