Addiction Recovery

Millions of people are thriving in recovery today. With the right treatment and support, the future is bright after a substance use disorder.

People can and do recover from addiction every single day.

Amanda

You are not alone. There is help out there. There is hope. We do recover, heal, change our lives, and live to help others. I was hopeless. I didn’t believe that I deserved a good life. But I walked through the challenges and have gone after my dreams. Now, no one can stop me.

Scott

The most rewarding part of my journey is helping others. Throughout my addiction my life was one-sided and self-centered. But with my sobriety comes responsibility, not only to myself but to others. The work we all do is far bigger than any one person.

Erica

Educate yourself on all types of recovery. Just because one way worked for you doesn't mean it will work for me. I am six years sober thanks to medications. My recovery has helped me find my passion and my voice.

Ciara

I was homeless. I was using any drug I could get my hands on. In treatment, I found a place where I belonged, where I made friends, and where I felt love that filled the void in me. Now two years into recovery, my heartache has turned into happiness.

Mahmoud

I do not regret being addicted. Because in recovery, my level of awareness has risen to a level I never thought possible. Today I am able to feel fully, and to properly understand those feelings.

Alexis

I’m still learning who I am. But I’m starting to like myself, maybe even love myself, so much more than before. I can finally start being the mother both of my daughters need, want and deserve. I am so grateful for that.

There’s no one path to recovery.

From medications to support groups, residential rehabs to the local methadone clinic—there are many ways that a person can recover from addiction. No matter how you find recovery, the important thing is getting there. Your experiences are valid. Your life is treasured. You are loved.

Change takes time and patience.

Recovery, like any big life change, doesn’t happen overnight. It can be helpful to think about recovery as a process that happens in stages. Learn about the stages of change at SMART Recovery.

If symptoms reoccur along the way, that’s okay.

Relapse does not mean failure. In fact, experiencing recurrences in your symptoms is normal, just like with any other chronic illness. That’s why safety is so important.

If you’re experiencing a setback, don’t keep it to yourself. Talk to your loved ones or trusted peers. Remember that even after a relapse, your recovery is real and your progress matters. You can get yourself back to where you want to be. Learn about supporting yourself or a loved one when symptoms recur.

There’s power in community.

No matter where you’re at in your addiction or recovery, trust that countless people have been there, too, and understand how you’re feeling. The Shatterproof community is always here to support you and your family.

Your story can help shatter stigma.

You can help others simply by being open about your own experiences. Stigma, shame, and punishment keep people with substance use disorders in the shadows. If you are in a position where you can safely share your own story openly, you can help normalize recovery. Learn about becoming a Shatterproof Ambassador.

Looking for support? From treatment finders to recovery groups to grief support, browse addiction resources here.

Corey O'Brien shares his story of addiction and road to recovery in OUT Magazine and talks about how he launched an Instagram live series called "Isolated in Sobriety."