Using Affirmations to Support Your Recovery

Success in recovery requires replacing unhelpful, inaccurate, and self-destructive thoughts with ones supporting your long-term wellness goals. One way to do this is to incorporate affirmations into your daily self-care routine.

What Are Affirmations?

Affirmations are statements or declarations created to reinforce and cultivate a positive mindset. The concept may seem simple, but affirmations are widely recognized as powerful tools that can help shift your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions toward a more positive and supportive direction. They can reprogram your subconscious mind and create new neural pathways that align with your desired outcomes and goals.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for people with substance use disorders often involves creating affirmations to be used as recovery tools. Effective affirmations resonate with you personally and address areas of your life that you want to improve or strengthen. They should be positive, specific, and framed in the present tense.

How Are Affirmations Used in Recovery?

You can incorporate affirmations in your recovery journey in several ways, so feel free to pick the methods that best fit your unique needs. Here are some ideas to consider:

Make repetition a daily habit. Repeat your affirmations daily, preferably multiple times a day. Consistency is key when you are making efforts to reinforce positive beliefs.
Create a supportive environment. Surround yourself with visual reminders of your affirmations. Write them on sticky notes and place them in visible areas like your bathroom mirror, workstation, or car dashboard. This helps keep your affirmations at the forefront of your mind throughout the day.
Engage with your affirmations. While repeating your affirmations, try to connect with the words and genuinely believe in their truth. Engage your emotions and visualize yourself enjoying the qualities or outcomes described in the affirmations.
Integrate affirmations into your mindfulness or meditation practices. Incorporate affirmations into your mindfulness or meditation sessions. Repeat them while practicing deep breathing or during moments of relaxation and reflection.

25 Affirmations for People in Recovery

To help you get started using affirmations to support your recovery goals, here are 25 positive affirmations to support physical well-being, emotional healing, mental clarity, and healthy relationships.

Physical Well-Being

I am committed to taking care of my physical health and nurturing my body in recovery.
I am grateful for the strength and vitality I am rebuilding through my sobriety.
I embrace a healthy lifestyle that nourishes my body, mind, and spirit.
I am proud of the progress I am making in restoring my physical well-being.
I will prioritize self-care and make choices that promote my overall health and wellness.

Emotional Healing

I am worthy of love, compassion, and healing as I continue through my recovery journey.
I acknowledge and honor my emotions by allowing myself to express them in healthy ways.
I am becoming more resilient each day and finding inner peace within myself.
I choose to release the shame and guilt of my past, focusing on the present moment and my future in recovery.
I am creating a safe and supportive space within myself where emotional healing can flourish.

Mental Clarity

I can overcome challenges and develop a positive mindset in my recovery.
I nourish my mind with empowering thoughts, affirmations, and positive self-talk.
I embrace a growth mindset and approach setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth.
I am focused and determined to achieve my goals and create a fulfilling life in recovery.
I am grateful for the mental clarity and increased focus that sobriety brings into my life.

Spiritual Growth

I am on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, finding meaning and purpose in my life.
I embrace a higher power of my understanding and draw strength from it on my path to recovery.
Each day, I am deepening my connection to my spiritual self, cultivating peace and serenity within.
I trust the process of recovery and surrender to the guidance and wisdom of my higher power.
I am open to receiving spiritual insights and living in alignment with my values and beliefs.

Healthy Relationships

I will surround myself with loving, understanding, and supportive people who uplift me in my recovery.
I am worthy of healthy and fulfilling relationships that contribute positively to my well-being.
I communicate my needs and boundaries effectively, nurturing relationships based on trust and respect.
I am committed to making amends, healing past relationships, and building new connections in recovery.
I am grateful for the support and encouragement I receive, and my success can inspire others in their recovery journeys.