Recovery from substance use has many ups and downs. From managing daily triggers to finding the right therapy or medication, going through substance abuse recovery is often a long and complicated process. People undergoing this process can easily find themselves lacking motivation or feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the changes they have to make. In those cases, having a loved one who can tell them their efforts are brave can be life-changing.
Here are 8 affirmations to say to a person in recovery to reassure them that their daily efforts are noticeable and inspire those around them.
1. “I’m proud of you.”
Saying “I’m proud of you” is one of the most powerful things we can say to someone in recovery, especially if we are close to them personally.
It validates their efforts and acknowledges the challenges they’ve faced recovering from substance addiction and mental illness, giving their experiences a sense of recognition and accomplishment.
When someone has been deep into substance or mental health recovery for an extended period, any small step forward can feel like a massive achievement, so it’s essential to stay attuned to their journey and recognize all efforts to improve their lives. Hearing that others are aware of and recognize their resilience and determination instills a sense of worthiness that reinforces their belief in themselves, motivating them to seek healing.
2. “I’m here for you.”
People who have been deep into recovery can easily feel isolated from their peers and may feel like the weight of their journey falls entirely on their shoulders. Saying “I’m here for you” offers a vital lifeline of much-needed support.
It assures them that they’re not facing their challenges alone and they have people around them who support them, fostering a sense of comfort and safety. While you may not fully understand what they’re going through, expressing support validates their complex feelings and experiences, making them feel more at home and accepted around you.
From financial struggles to losing motivation after a good start, many circumstances can make people feel like their recovery grinds to a halt. Knowing they have someone they can turn to during difficult moments provides reassurance and encouragement to seek help when needed.
3. “It’s okay to ask for help.”
Saying, “It’s okay to ask for help,” reinforces that they have a support system they can lean on. In particular, saying they can ask for help erases much of the stigma traditionally placed on people in substance use or mental health recovery. As a result of this stigma, many feel misunderstood and maligned for experiencing conditions that one should treat as any other medical condition.
For someone who’s felt excluded in this way, “It’s okay to ask for help” is a powerful affirmation that validates their struggles and acknowledges that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but rather a courageous step towards healing.
It fosters a culture of openness and ongoing support, helping those who need it access the appropriate resources and guidance.
4. “You’re not alone.”
This is another way of saying, “I’m here for you,” but it emphasizes your support and highlights that people who love them deeply surround them.
Reminding someone in recovery that they’re not alone provides a sense of solidarity and understanding. It assures them that even though many may not fully understand their struggles, people around them are willing to support them and help them find solutions.
It’s easy to feel alienated while in recovery, but knowing they’re not alone builds connection, which is crucial to encouraging future healing.
5. “Your recovery inspires me.”
Recovery is complex and requires changes in deeply rooted behaviors, which can take time and progress slowly.
Recognizing that you find their ongoing efforts inspiring acknowledges their strength and resilience, which they likely have trouble seeing alone. Spending every day trying to apply coping skills, struggling with cravings, and overall facing the effects of substance use or mental illness can be demoralizing and feel like nothing you do solves anything.
Being told that others notice your efforts and find them inspiring highlights their positive impact on others, which can boost confidence.
6. “Your mistakes do not define you.”
Relapses in recovery are common and a normal part of recovery, especially in people who have faced their condition for a significant period — for example, approximately 46 to 60 percent of people in addiction treatment relapse at some point.
These relapses can feel like going back to square one, and everything has been a failure up to this point. Not only a failure of the treatment but a personal one from the one who relapsed.
Reassuring someone in recovery that their relapses do not define them as individuals reminds them of their inherent worth and potential for growth. It promotes self-compassion and shifts the focus away from past setbacks, encouraging a forward-looking perspective where they can use the coping skills they’ve learned to make the future more manageable.
7. “Every day is a new opportunity”
Especially for people who seek positive affirmations, it can be mighty to remember that every day brings a new opportunity to grow and deepen their understanding of their condition.
Being aware of the fact that recovery happens every day is such an important notion that members of Alcoholics Anonymous and similar groups have the saying “one day at a time.”
This phrase instills hope and optimism in the recovery journey because it emphasizes that we each have the potential to grow and create positive changes every day, regardless of past challenges. Phrases like these ultimately encourage resilience and perseverance, boosting motivation by knowing that seemingly little daily efforts snowball and go a long way over time.
8. “Remember, it’s a process.”
Because recovery doesn’t happen overnight, remembering it’s a long-term, potentially life-long process can help release some pressure.
Reminding someone that recovery is a process acknowledges that healing takes time and isn’t always linear. It encourages people to find comfort in gradual improvements that add up over time and alleviates pressure to achieve instant results.
It’s a reminder that we each have our journey and that keeping at it will eventually provide positive results.
Words Go a Long Way in Recovery
Recovery can be a daunting journey filled with many uncertainties. People undergoing their recovery journeys can often feel disconnected and lose track of just how much effort they’re putting in.
Sharing these phrases with them reassures them that others can see their efforts and empathize with their experiences, providing a much-needed boost in confidence. Ultimately, sharing kind words with others in recovery is a powerful way of telling them you acknowledge what they’re going through and admire their resilience.
These words can create a supportive environment that empowers people to embrace their journey to healing and see each day as a new opportunity for growth.
