The Journey from Addiction to Recovery: A Playlist of Over 40 Stories

Introduction

This playlist is a powerful source of inspiration that will take you on a journey from addiction to recovery. It features the real-life experiences of individuals who overcame their struggle with addiction and found a new way of life through recovery. You’ll hear firsthand about the challenges they faced, the losses they endured, and the strength it took to get sober. But most importantly, this playlist is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit in the midst of adversity.

Every story shared is a reminder that it’s never too late to change your life for the better. So, if you’re struggling with addiction or know someone who is, take heart in the powerful message of this playlist that you too can overcome and rise above your circumstances to find a better, healthier way of life.

Quotes

Matt” “When I went to treatment and was in the worst of my addiction, I thought I completely screwed up my life and my relationship with my kids. It’s better now than it’s ever been and it’s only going to get better and better. I’m so thankful and grateful for recovery and for being given this second chance, this opportunity to become the person that I want to be because I’m just getting started with it. I have another opportunity to start a new life. Now I can take it as high as I want because before I had limitations. My limitations were cut at the knees every morning I work up, and now I’m just watering the grass every day. I wake up and my main purpose in the morning is just to help at least one person, including myself.”

Danay: “Finally one day I was ready and that’s when I learned about therapy and how powerful and helpful it is – what is means to have support, to have someone say ‘it’s okay, it’s all right, it’s totally fine, we’re going to figure it out together.’ And he did that for me. He was patient and he was kind, he fed me when I didn’t have money. He took the time to really see who I was, and when I would talk down to myself, he would tell me that’s not who I was. That was the first real step of change I believe that happened in my life. (She created Sober Girls, a support group for women who want to enjoy activities without it being centered on alcohol.)”

Charlotte: “In 1999, my son had a little girl and I got high instead of going to the hospital to see my granddaughter. I’ll never forget that day because that’s my day of rebirth. I tried the rehabs, I went through all the processes, graduated doing recovery. But I did not get what recovery meant until years later. This July 31st, 2023 I’ll have 22 years clean, but I only have right now, today, because anything can happen.”

Lisa: “I was having a lot of remorse, guilt, and shame and those feelings are hard to deal with when you’re sober. When you’re in early sobriety it’s just raw. I used to tell people it felt like I drank battery acid, that’s how I felt inside. Can you imagine how that feels? Questioning everything I thought I ever knew about anything. Questioning the truth I thought I knew.”

Chris: “I had a very good support group, I worked the 12 steps, I had a sponsor, went to multiple meetings per week, and stayed sober for over a year. Things got better at work, things got better with relationship. It was overall a positive experience. I’d highly recommend going to inpatient rehab for anybody that thinks they can’t stop drinking. As intimidating as it is to think that you’ll have to put your life on hold, it’s incredibly helpful. It’s immersive and you’re around people who are going through the same thing that you’re going through.”

Taylor: “My counsellor and recovery coach advocated for me in court and I was able to get my son back with me. They transferred me to the treatment program for women with children. They allowed me to have my son there and I could leave at any time, but I couldn’t take him with me. So I didn’t leave obviously. Having him now, I’ve actually learned to love myself, I know myself and I love myself. Even before my drug addiction that’s not something I’ve ever been able to say, and I can say that with such honesty now.”