Addicts can get caught up in a cycle of negative thoughts that lead them to addiction or perpetuates their problems.

When people complete residential treatment, they may still struggle to break this cycle after treatment. While they are trying to move forward, many people in recovery also deal with feelings of guilt and shame from their past. Both of these obstacles can cause people to become discouraged and even eventually lead them to relapse.

Practicing positive affirmations in sobriety is one way to minimize these hurdles. They can weaken toxic negative thoughts and help the recovering addict learn to love themselves again despite their past mistakes.

Positive Affirmations for Addiction Recovery

Trying to practice positive affirmations in recovery may be challenging at first because you may not be sure what to say, but doing so could just save you from a relapse.

A list of positive affirmations in recovery might include:

• I am worthy
• Every day I am making progress
• I am loved
• I will be better
• I have come so far
• My past will no longer dictate my future
• I am strong
• I am the controller of my fate
• I will reach my goals
• I can handle these challenges that come with recovery
• I am stronger than my addiction
• I am proud of myself
• I will keep going

How to Practice Positive Affirmations in Recovery

Although you may now have an idea of what to say, getting in the habit of these affirmations can be more challenging. Our rehab staff at Banyan Palm Springs is sharing some tips on how to make practicing positive affirmations in recovery easier as well as how to get the most of them for your sobriety.

Personalize Them

The list earlier is only a starting point for ideas. To get the most out of your positive affirmations in addiction recovery, you should create your own affirmations that are personalized to you and your recovery journey.

Update Them Often

Along with creating your own affirmations, you should update them regularly. Use affirmations that apply to what you did that day or what is currently happening in your life. This approach teaches you to recognize the little things and celebrate the small steps of progress in your recovery journey.

Write Them Down

To give your affirmations more meaning, jot them down. Writing something down on paper makes it carry more weight. You can even keep a list and add to it as you think of more.

Post Them Up

Putting up a list of your more general positive affirmations somewhere where you will see it on a regular basis can be an easy way to practice them without a lot of effort. It can also be a good reminder at times when you are feeling down.

Say Them Aloud

It is one thing to read something off of a piece of paper or to think it in your head, but it is another to say it aloud. Although you may struggle to believe all of these affirmations in the moment, saying them aloud can help them feel more real, especially over time.

Use Them Daily

Make it a point to take three minutes a day to practice positive affirmations in recovery. Do it the same time every day, like right before bed or when you first wake up to keep from forgetting. When these affirmations become a part of your daily routine, they not only become habitual, but you will also start to believe them.

Addiction recovery is a lifelong journey with many hurdles along the way, but our drug detox center in Palm Springs, California helps people with every step. From detox to long after you leave our facility, we are here to help you find lasting sobriety.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, do not wait any longer to find help. To speak with an admissions specialist about enrolling in one of our programs or to ask questions about how you could help your loved one, call us now at 888-280-4763.