The Value of Affirmations in Addiction Recovery

Having negative thoughts or uttering negative statements concerning our looks, intellect, or value in society, has immense power to shape how we perceive ourselves. More so, if you encourage this negativity, it remains with you, consuming all your goodwill for years on end.

Eventually, you’ll soon give up and believe that you’re worthless. Bad as it sounds, that type of mentality has no place in positive addiction recovery. Here, we take an in-depth look at the value of affirmations in addiction recovery and offer guidelines on using positive affirmations to help you in your recovery journey. Buckle up, and let’s get started!

‍So, What are Affirmations for Addiction Recovery?

‍Affirmations are simply positive statements that you repeat or tell yourself to provide emotional encouragement, or support, to cultivate a healthy mindset. These are often referred to as positive self-talk and effectively stop or derail negative thoughts midway, and fight them with positive energy/thoughts as an alternative.

Through the addiction recovery journey, affirmations are essential in reestablishing an individual’s goal — in this case, that would be to back away from drug and substance abuse. They reflect your willingness to move in the direction of change, taking hold of your life, and deciding to do things differently onwards. And that all begins with positive thinking.

That being said, addiction isn’t something you can sweep under the rug with just affirmations; rather, you’ll need to get help from an addiction treatment program and have a reliable support system around you. A collaboration of these factors will empower you with the necessary tools to combat addiction, ushering you to a bright recovery journey.

Sample Affirmations for Addiction Recovery

‍Your affirmations don’t necessarily have to be similar to the other person's. There are traditional mantras available for your successful recovery journey. You can as well use some affirmations in Alcoholics Anonymous that include:

• One day at a time
  
• Keep coming back
  
• This too shall pass
  
• Live and let live
  
• Let go and let God
  
• It works if you work it
  
• Progress, not perfection
  ‍

Don’t limit yourself as there is a variety of affirmations to use. For example, you may find it helpful to use affirmations that remind you of your self-worth. Reminding yourself that you are important is a great step to believing in positive statements like the following:

• I am valuable
  
• I can do this
  
• I am loved
  
• I like the person I’m becoming
  
• I am worthwhile
  
• I am not my addiction
  

While at it, be sure to create simple, reassuring, and motivational statements that resonate with your personality. Remember that reciting these affirmations daily makes them part of your thinking and helps nurture a positive mindset. More so, affirmations help boost one’s self-esteem and strengthen an individual’s resolve.

People find various routines of reciting their addiction affirmations, and some find the benefit of printing them and hanging them in their rooms. Whichever way you opt, it’s perfectly fine, and you should be as comfortable as possible in your own space.

How to use Affirmations to Support Recovery

‍Ideally, it would help if you meditated on affirmations in moments of quiet to engage your mind and wield the positive words as weapons against the urge to use. Below are some tips to help hold up your recovery:

• Keep it simple.
  

Use short phrases when creating your affirmations since they’re more memorable and effective, like daily mantras.

• Personalize it.
  

It would be best to use words “I” and “me” instead of “you” or “your” to encourage you to take personal responsibility for your recovery.

• Keep it positive.
  

Ensure to use positive statements like “I can” rather than “I can’t.” It helps steer your mind from negative thoughts.

• Say it out loud.
  

Write it on a journal, stick it in your room, and face yourself in the mirror as you say the affirmation to reinforce the message.

• Say it often.
  

Affirmations need to be said regularly to embed the positivity in your mind and make them part of you.

• Invite others in.
  

It’s always a good idea to invite someone trusted, such as your friend or pastor, to repeat it to you. For example, if you say “I am loved,” the friend can repeat it to you and say, “You are loved.” Doing so helps to reinforce the message and makes you believe in it more.

Affirmations are a vital step to a healthy addiction recovery journey. By accepting to use them in your daily life, you open yourself to positive thinking and speak hope into your situation. With time, the positive words get ingrained into your mind and actually change the way you think. Therefore, affirmations — together with other support systems, are an effective tool in leading an addiction-free life.