Best Substance Abuse Quotes for Recovery

The Best Substance Abuse Quotes to Help You Through the More Difficult Times

Motivation is an important part of maintaining one’s abstinence in addiction recovery. In fact, one of the most successful ways to treat an addiction is through motivational interviewing, which is a therapy that makes use of an addict’s willingness to change their behavior by enhancing their motivation. But some days in recovery can be extra tough, and on those days, one needs all the motivation possible to keep on track with recovery. To help in this endeavor, we will discuss some of the best substance abuse quotes that can make the tough days that much better. 

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We will provide the following substance abuse quotes with an interpretation in an effort to enhance the effects that they may have on you.

“Addiction begins with the hope that something “out there” can instantly fill up the emptiness inside.” – Jean Kilbourne

The first of the best addiction recovery quotes in our list is one that reminds us that addiction often starts by trying to fill a hole in your life that can only be filled by looking inward, or to a Higher Power – as the 12-step program teaches.

“Recovery is not for people who need it, it’s for people who want it.” – Anonymous

While addiction is not a choice but rather a mental disorder, the next of our substance abuse quotes is one that tells us that we cannot just expect to get better; a conscious effort is required on our part to continue to make the recovery work.

“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis

The next in our list of addiction quotes is by Clive Staples Lewis – a British writer – that states an important lesson; through the toughest hardships, the strongest people are molded. Even though it may be tough now, this experience will ultimately lead you to something much better.

“Sometimes we motivate ourselves by thinking of what we want to become. Sometimes we motivate ourselves by thinking about who we don’t ever want to be again.” – Shane Niemeyer

Another one of the best addiction recovery quotes is this one that reminds us to not romanticize our past abuse – it was hell. Through remembering that fact and seeing how far you’ve come already, it can motivate you to never go back.

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some of the greatest people in the world are also the people who have seen the most failure. But instead of giving up, they got up again and used their greater knowledge to try again and eventually reach ultimate success.

“Recovery didn’t open the gates of heaven and let me in. Recovery opened the gates of hell and let me out!” – Anonymous

The next of our substance abuse quotes, from an unknown source, reminds us again that there was nothing good about addiction; the short-lived high was met with a mountain of problems. All that substance abuse holds are more problems, and recovery is the road to true, lasting happiness.

“If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz

The last of our addiction quotes serves as a reminder that the cravings you may feel are just temporary – which are over in a matter of minutes – and every day, cravings becomes less and less. This means that if you made it through a day, then any subsequent day is just an easier version of that day.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.

About the Author

is a proud alumni member of WhiteSands Treatment. After living a life of chaos, destruction and constant let downs, Mark was able to make a complete turnaround that sparked a new way of life. He is serious about his recovery along with helping others. At WhiteSands Treatment, we offer support to you in your homes or when you are out living in your daily lives.