Trauma, fear, suffering, repeat… Does that cycle sound familiar? It does to Yolanda. When she saw her own daughter struggling with the same feelings of anxiety and desperation that she felt years before, she knew she had to help her break the generational cycle of trauma, fear and suffering. She knew it was time for tough love.

As a parent, no one wants to see their child suffer, especially when that suffering is so painful and familiar to your own experience. Years ago, Yolanda went through the challenges of addiction herself. After dealing with the pain and regret that came with her substance use disorder, she learned many valuable lessons about herself and about recovery. Unfortunately, children sometimes bear the biggest burden when their parents deal with drug and alcohol addiction. When Yolanda was deep in her addiction, her children were placed in foster care. Thankfully, she went through the Cedar House program and turned her life around. While that helped to bridge the gap between Yolanda and her children, there was still quite a bit of trauma that needed to be dealt with as they regained their relationship.

Yolanda’s daughter Sabrina was just twelve years old when her parents divorced.  By the time she was fourteen, she started drinking to escape the heaviness of her household. Her friends also drank heavily, and their parents tended to condone the behavior, sometimes even purchasing the alcohol and drinking with them. She said, “I drank with my parents, which made it seem like it was okay. It was cool at the time.”

By the age of 17, Sabrina and her siblings had been placed in foster care. The pain and loneliness of being displaced was grueling, and they felt as though “no one was trying to get us out.” That experience contributed greatly to her alcoholism.

A year later, Sabrina’s best friend died in a car accident. She and her boyfriend were drunk, and he was driving. When he crashed, she flew out of the car dying on impact. Sabrina said, “Losing my best friend when I was eighteen really took a toll on me. Not having a family dynamic made it even harder.”

As time went on, Sabrina’s drinking continued to worsen. She said:

Toward the end I started getting angry, wanting to fight everybody. I was a slave to the alcohol. It controlled me and everything I did.

Sabrina moved into the extended foster care program, but the freedom of having her own apartment allowed her drinking to get more out of control. Since Yolanda had changed her life and entered into recovery, Sabrina was able to move back in with her.

Seeing this behavior in her daughter was heartbreaking for Yolanda. She said, “I would reflect back remembering her as my little girl and how kind hearted she was. To watch the destruction that alcohol was doing to her was crushing to my soul. I saw my innocent little girl being taken down by this monster of a disease, and I couldn’t do anything about it at the time. I felt helpless.”

Yolanda tried unsuccessfully to get Sabrina into treatment. She said:

After many attempts of asking her to get help, one day I got the courage to use some tough love and kicked her out of my house. I told her I couldn’t sit and watch her slowly kill herself.

At that point, Sabrina became homeless. She was couch surfing each night until she started dating someone whose parents allowed her to stay at their house. She said, “They partied all the time.” And things just got worse for Sabrina. She started getting symptoms of withdrawals when she wasn’t drinking. The shaking and hallucinations terrified her. She said, “It woke me up. It knew I was done.”

Sabrina remembered:

Mom always said, ‘When you’re ready, let me know.’ So, I threw out my fears.

When Yolanda heard that Sabrina was ready for help, she knew right away that her struggles with alcohol were over. She knew that accepting the genuine, compassionate care she would receive from the staff at Cedar House would turn her daughter’s life around, just as it had for her. Yolanda said, “I never once doubted her decision. I saw that she was tired of drinking. I felt so proud and overjoyed!”

Starting at Cedar House was intimidating at first for Sabrina.  She said, “Dealing with feeling sober and dealing with life really scared me.”

To her surprise, the experience was truly life-changing. She said:

I felt alive for the first time. I had been so numb.

Sabrina found that she was comfortable at Cedar House and could relate to the people there. The counseling and classes throughout the day were beneficial and prepared her to start her new life without alcohol. She said that her case manager helped her to get to know herself, heal from past trauma, and be prepared to face her triggers.

Now Sabrina is nearly four years clean and sober. She works full time for FedEx and studies psychology at San Bernardino Valley College. She plans to graduate in May and pursue a career as a therapist. She said, “I want to help people deal with their trauma. I think I’ll be able to really relate to people.”

Yolanda is a very proud mother. She said:

We have an open line of communication with each other, and she has forgiven me for past mistakes. It feels great to know that she still works with her sponsor in her recovery. She understands this disease and what it has done to our family. We are both working towards our recovery and our healing as mother and daughter.

‘Tis the season to be merry and bright. So why is it such a hard time for our mental health? According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people say that their stress increased during the holiday season, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Those surveyed said this is due to financial pressure, lack of time, gift giving and family gatherings. The good news is that there are some good ways to reduce or prevent holiday stress and depression. Here are five simple tips to help you manage your mental health this year:

1. Be realistic. The holiday season doesn’t have to be perfect or look just like last year. Traditions change as families change and grow. Remember to be flexible.
2. Acknowledge your feelings. Just because it’s the holiday season, doesn’t mean you can force yourself to feel joyful. It’s normal to feel sadness especially if you’ve recently experienced loss or hardship. Take time to express your feelings if you’re feeling down.
3. Set aside time for self-care. This is not a good time to abandon your healthy habits. Remember to find time for balanced meals, exercise, meditation and relaxation. Seek professional help if you need it. Cedar House is here to help if you find yourself struggling with substance abuse or need someone to talk to. Reach out if you’re feeling lonely or isolated.
4. Plan ahead. It’s important to set aside time for shopping, baking, connecting with friends and other activities. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, so you can work to avoid them. Plan your menus, make shopping lists and stick to a budget to reduce stressful days throughout the season.
5. Remember what matters. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Limit your time on social media, and try to take some time to enjoy the moments with family and friends. Consider volunteering your time or doing something to help others That’s a great way to lift your spirits.

With a little planning, positive thinking, and these practical tips, you can minimize your stress and enjoy the holidays this year. The staff at Cedar House wishes you joy and peace this holiday season.

When Tony walked into Cedar House years after completing treatment, he realized that his new perspective on life could save lives. He remembered the power of the testimonials he heard as a client and knew he should share his. What he didn’t realize was just how powerful telling his own story could be. After recounting all he had been through over the years, Tony said, “Thank you for the opportunity to tell you my whole story. I’ve never actually just gone through from top to bottom and told my full story. Wow! It’s just awesome to think how much this recovery thing really works. It’s pretty amazing!”

Think about that. Tony credits the stories he heard at Cedar House with planting the seed for his recovery. For the first time, he felt that he wasn’t alone in his battle with addiction. And, now, the telling of his own is providing staying power for his recovery.

Tony’s relationship with meth was unrivaled in his late 20s. He said the first time he tried it, “It was like love at first sight. I knew we were going to have a relationship.” He felt that the chemicals in meth were his companion, giving him courage and defining who he was. After using only on weekends for a few months, he found his own dealer and became a daily user. When he found out it could be smoked, that was it. He said, “I went from being a social person to a recluse. I quit culinary school and spent a year using.”

Fortunately for Tony, he had friends who recognized he needed help. They came to his home and told his mother the situation. She was devastated, but together they helped him get into an outpatient program. For four years, he tried unsuccessfully to quit on his own or attempt different outpatient programs, but continued using during that time.

In 2007, Tony was living in his car and deep in his addiction. He was frequently sick and barely remembers how he came to enter into treatment at Cedar House. He knows that he tried calling regularly to get in and was relieved when someone called to tell him there was a bed available for him. He spent the next 90 days at Cedar House learning about his disease and how to overcome it. He said, “They were brutally honest with me and asked the right questions.” That’s when he uncovered some of the childhood trauma that contributed to his struggles. He also learned to accept his higher power and to let people in to help him. Listening to fellow clients and staff share their testimonies empowered him to change his life.

Reflecting on other lessons he discovered during his time at Cedar House, Tony said, “I didn’t know that all I needed was to get some good life skills and give it an honest try.” Near the end of his residential treatment, Tony went with a group of clients from Cedar House to a job fair at Fairmount Park. It was there that he decided to join the Army. He served in the U.S. military for 10 years and moved up the ranks to Drill Sergeant.

Tony said, “Recovery is not just staying clean. It’s moving forward in life.” He is indeed moving forward with his, as he continues his education in pursuit of a human services degree next spring and eventually a psychology degree beyond that, in order to be able to serve people in a clinical environment. In that way, he said that he is “starting to use (his) skills and trust the process.”

Cedar House set me in the right direction. I wouldn’t have felt capable if it wasn’t for Cedar House. They primed me and prepped me to see my value and that my life is worth living.

Between his time in the service and his experience in rehab, Tony learned the importance of feeling empowered. He hopes to impart these lessons on other individuals in need: “Don’t tell me what you can and cannot do. I’m going to tell you. Empower you. You have no idea what you’re capable of. If it worked for me, why can’t it work for you.” He believes in practicing life skills, going to meetings, having a sponsor, meditation, prayer, not giving in to cravings, and believing in his skills. Those firm principles and the strength of his story will take him far in life and in his efforts to serve others in need.

What is MAT?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). First and foremost, it’s important to note that Cedar House treats each client as an individual. At the start of treatment, clients sit down with their case managers and determine a treatment plan that works best for them. In some cases, MAT is used to prevent or reduce overdose. In others, a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat the SUD. MAT works to help sustain recovery in many cases.

How does it work?

MAT is primarily used for the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates. The prescribed medication:

• normalizes brain chemistry
• relieves physiological cravings
• blocks the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids
• normalizes body functions without the negative and euphoric effects of the substance used.

MAT is clinically effective because it provides a comprehensive, individualized combination of medication and behavioral therapy that addresses clients’ needs.

Ultimately, the goal of MAT is full recovery with the ability to live a meaningful life free from addiction. Research shows that this approach:

• reduces overdoses
• increases retention in treatment
• decreases illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
• improves birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders while pregnant
• increases a client’s ability to maintain employment after treatment

What medications are used?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several different medications to treat alcohol and opioid use disorders. These medications do not just substitute one drug for another. Rather, they relieve withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that cause chemical imbalances in the body. Cedar House’s MAT program offers evidence-based treatment options that are clinically driven and tailored to meet each client’s needs. For Alcohol Use Disorder, acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone are the most common medications used. While these do not provide a cure for the disorder when used alone, they can be effective when used with behavioral therapies. Buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone are used to treat addiction to short-acting opioids such as heroin, morphine, and codeine, as well as semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. These MAT medications can be safe for clients to use for months, years, or even a lifetime if necessary. Naloxone is used to prevent opioid overdose by reversing the toxic effects of the overdose.

Cedar House provides assistance in connecting clients with Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTPs) or Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) in the area where they will be transitioning to ensure a smooth transition and prevent any lapses in care.  Interested in learning more about MAT at Cedar House? Give us a call at 909-421-7120.

A reminder about child safety

It’s important to remember that if medications are allowed to be kept at home, they must be locked in a safe place away from children.

When Michael decided to go to rehab, it was a choice between two very different paths. He realized that there were two divergent paths and, while both were hard, one was the clear winner. He asked himself: do you want to continue on the hard, destructive path with hangovers, blackouts, overdoses, fights, promiscuity, living on the streets, a toxic body and “always running against what’s right”? Or, do you want to take the hard, productive path in life – one in which you get an education, word hard, eat healthy, go to the gym, nurture friendships, pray, tell the truth and become a good father? Once he determined the answer for himself, he made the decision to go to Cedar House and use what he learned there to turn his life around. 

His rebellious days started after he lost his father at the age of nine. They had a very close relationship, and losing him meant that he would have to become a man without his father’s guidance and wisdom. Struggling with the pain of that loss, Michael’s mother tried to steer him away from temptations. Their relationship was strained, and Michael developed trust issues as well as a strong desire to experiment and test his limits.  

When Michael was offered a full-ride scholarship to UC Berkeley to play soccer, he jumped at the chance to get away. That’s when he really let loose and started partying hard. The pain he felt from his father’s death and the unhealthy relationship he had with his mother showed up on the soccer field. While he was a very impressive athlete, he struggled to be truly present. He often found himself performing on “auto-pilot” and simply going through the familiar motions only to turn overly aggressive and angry. He would start fights and injure opponents when he was unable to manage his explosive emotions and violent reactions.

One day when Michael was using and had gotten dangerously high, his mother called to let him know that his uncle, who lived near Michael and had become a father figure for him, was dying. Michael recalled that he spoke to his mother, but that he did not call his uncle when he was on his death bed because he was too high. That night Michael survived his first overdose. Unfortunately, his uncle passed away that same night. Michael believes that his uncle took his place.  

Michael experienced so much at a young age. He played soccer for LA Galaxy, and then in Ireland, Finland, Portugal, Italy and near the border of Mexico. He learned to speak Spanish, but unfortunately left a trail of destructive relationships all along the way. From those experiences, he learned many lessons. But the most important lesson that he said he learned is that “God stands by you in the darkest of places to pull you though.”  

Today, Michael knows that God was with him when he suffered the excruciating pain of pancreatitis three times and when he drove off the road flipping his car multiple times while intoxicated. Amazingly surviving those near-death moments solidified his faith. He knows that his pain brought with it beauty and unity for his Cedar House experience. With empathy and understanding, he could connect with the other clients and feed off their strength. He finally learned to break down the barriers that kept him from developing strong relationships and learning the techniques he would need to stay sober. He is proud to reflect on his “big transformation” and has become a motivational speaker and a youth leader at his church. 

Ultimately, it was Michael’s relationship with God and the lessons learned from his father at a young age combined with what he gained at Cedar House that gave him a fighting chance to choose the right path. He said, “I went full circle. Now I’m moving in a Godly direction.” 

“I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t stop.”

What was the problem? Kayla had gotten sober before. What was different this time? She needed help understanding her condition, and Cedar House provided not only that clarity but also much more.

Considering Kayla’s ups and downs with drug addiction, it’s understandable that there would be new variables present in her experience with drugs eight years later. In that time, she battled abusive relationships, financial struggles, and relapses. She went to treatment and found peace in recovery only to find herself suffering in her addiction again months later. It wasn’t until she began working with the counselors at Cedar House that she truly began to understand why she continued to return to old habits.

After her parents divorced, Kayla started experimenting with marijuana and alcohol her freshman year of high school. It was mostly on weekends, but it became a regular part of her life. She and her then boyfriend decided to head to Las Vegas after graduation and tried cocaine for the first time. It was a horrible experience for them as they began fighting and ended up stranded in Las Vegas. She said, “You would think I would never want to do that again.”

Unfortunately, just two weeks later, her boyfriend suggested that they try meth. She enjoyed that taste of the highly addictive drug so much that she began using it almost every weekend. They would go to parties where their friends were all drinking and using meth. Eventually, meth went from something she used at parties on weekends to a method for self-medicating when she felt down. She said, “I got to the point where I would do it any time I was upset.”

Desperate for drugs when she ran out of money, Kayla started shoplifting. She couldn’t afford both her alcohol and meth habits, so her sole focus became finding enough money to buy meth. When she wanted a quicker high, she resorted to injecting the drugs. And the dangerous cycle continued.

When she turned 20, she found out she was pregnant and managed to stop using until the baby was born. Thirty days later, she was using again. She had broken up with her son’s father and, six months later, began dating another man who provided her with drugs. One year into their relationship, she found out she was pregnant again. During that pregnancy, she tried to stay sober but relapsed a few times. The father continued using consistently.

They had a baby girl in 2017 and resolved to get sober. The baby’s father wanted to regain custody of his children and worked to get clean for them. Both Kayla and her boyfriend stayed sober for 18 months. Despite his episodes of psychosis, she tried to be supportive, but they eventually turned back to drugs. One night, he physically abused her to the degree that she needed hospital care. CFS removed her children from her custody over concerns about drugs and violence.

This was the lowest point for Kayla. She was devastated over losing her children and made the decision to call for help. She interviewed with SARC (San Bernardino County’s Screening, Assessment and Referral Center). She told them that she would wait for a bed at Cedar House to come available because she had heard that the program was the most effective.

Since she had a current CFS case, Kayla was placed in Maple House after five days of quarantine and detox. Beyond her treatment, the counselors there helped her identify red flags in her relationships, advocated for her, and transported her to court dates.

At Maple House Kayla was finally able to answer the question: “Why can’t I stay sober?” She learned that the trauma she went through with her boyfriend and other challenges made her mind dependent on drugs. She needed to uncover the trauma and learn to manage her feelings. She said, “If it wasn’t for Maple House, I wouldn’t still be sober.”

In addition to the trauma-informed care Kayla received at Maple House, she learned valuable parenting and life skills. She found value in structure and an orderly living environment. The staff at Maple House requires clients to wake up by 7 a.m. and get dressed for the day. They encourage the women to set goals that they can work toward each day. Kayla said, “Even when you don’t want to go, they make you get up and handle your situation and whatever the day has for you. They taught me that if you have a problem, you need to think about your motive. Think about what you want to accomplish and how your actions that day will affect that.”

Kayla found herself growing as a mother every day. As her mindset improved, so did her sleep schedule and living space. She said, “I never understood the idea of cleaning as you go.” But now, she has learned to manage everyday tasks much better after sharing in the chores at Maple House.

Now, Kayla works as a waitress and lives with her father while continuing to save and work to be granted custody of her children again. She looks forward to the unsupervised visits she is able to have with her 4-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son each week. She also remembers fondly the times her children visited at Maple House and didn’t want to leave the nurturing environment there. At the time, Kayla thought her situation was unfair, but in hindsight she realizes that the time away from her kids gave her room to grow and become the mother they deserve.

She said that she will always recommend the Maple House program: “A lot of times when you’re getting clean you want it to work right away, but Maple House taught me that patience is a virtue.”

Going back to school as an adult in recovery can be daunting, but this may be an opportune time to reach new goals. Much of the focus in early recovery is spent on learning how to stay clean, but next comes re-evaluating your new sober lifestyle. Here are some tips and inspiration for those thinking about taking the plunge and heading back to school. 

Like recovery, school is a serious commitment. It requires patience, hard work, and perseverance. While there are many benefits to getting your education goals on track, there are a number of challenges to overcome as well. Consider the expenses, the time commitment and the concerns about difficult coursework. On the other hand, pursuing your education is a meaningful activity that can help you to avoid triggers. It can provide a wealth of new opportunities to improve your life both financially and mentally.

Concerns and reservations are not unusual for adults returning to school. The good news is that these barriers are surmountable if you take these tips into consideration:

• Think through the financing – Compare the tuition and enrollment fees of different schools and degrees. Don’t forget to factor in miscellaneous expenses like textbooks and transportation. Look at your current spending to see if any funds could be reallocated toward school. There are many high-quality community colleges and online universities that are less expensive to attend. If you’re working, find out if you’re eligible for employer tuition assistance. Check out the list of federal grants and apply for scholarships that target adult students.
• Balance your time – Adult students are more likely to have work and family obligations. If you work full-time, the flexibility of an online degree or night school may be a good fit for you. For adults who are also in recovery, it’s important to prioritize your 12-Step meetings. Remember to always maintain a self-care routine, especially as it relates to your recovery.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help – Your support network is essential when you embark on a new challenge. This can include your partner, friends, parents, coworkers, fellow students, teachers or your sponsor. If you’re struggling with a particular course or finding it too hard to balance it all, be sure to reach out to your support network for help.

As you develop your plan, remember to ask yourself these important questions:

• Why are you going to school? What degree would you like to have?
• Would you need a GED or can you apply to college immediately?
• What are the required standardized tests?
• How will you pay for the degree?
• Do you have any credits from a previous institution that you can transfer?
  
• Would it be better to be a full-time or part-time student?

The decision to return to school as an adult is one that you won’t make lightly. While there are risks and sacrifices involved, there are also great rewards. New knowledge, new experiences and new opportunities can enrich your life and help you move forward in your recovery journey. As always, the Cedar House community is here to support you along the way.

If you or someone you love is having difficulty achieving lifelong goals like continued education because of substance use or co-occurring mental health issues, Cedar House is here to help. Call us today at 909-421-7120.

Everyone is aware of how prolific dangerous drugs are on the streets of California. But do you really know what’s out there and what makes them so dangerous? Understanding addictive drugs that are being distributed in our community is essential. The more we know about these drugs, the more we can work to prevent addiction and overdoses among our friends and family.

Methamphetamine is an illegal and highly addictive stimulant. The short-term effects of Meth include alertness and euphoria which can cause users to become immediately addicted. Long-term use of Meth can lead to problems such as violent behavior, psychosis, severe dental problems, and paranoia. In 2020, 2.5 million Americans aged 12 or older reported having used methamphetamine in the past year, according to the CDC.

Cocaine is an illegal and highly addictive stimulant made from the leaves of the South American coca plant. It commonly comes in a powder form that is snorted or injected. It can also be smoked or administered to the skin. Street names for Cocaine include blow, bump, coke, and snow. Crack is the more pure and potent form of Cocaine, which typically comes in solid blocks or crystals. It is typically smoked or injected, allowing it to reach the brain more quickly and result in an intense high. In 2020, more than 19,000 people in the United States died from an overdose involving cocaine.

Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive substance that is synthetically derived from the Opium poppy plant. It comes in the form of white or brownish powder, or as a black and sticky substance known as “black tar.” Heroin is most commonly injected though it can also be snorted, smoked, or consumed orally. In 2020, more than 13,000 people died in the United States from an overdose involving heroin. Prescription opioids, which are sometimes prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain following surgery or injury, are also highly addictive and often lead to Heroin use. From 1999 to 2020, more than 263,000 people died in the United States from overdoses involving prescription opioids.

Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic man-made opioid.  Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is non-pharmaceutical fentanyl made illegally and sometimes mixed into other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine or heroin.  In 2020, more than 56,000 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids, including IMF.

Ecstasy is an illicit drug often used by high-schoolers and young adults. It is considered a party or rave drug and is dangerous because it can lower inhibitions. Its psychoactive effects include enhanced sensory perception. Ecstasy is most commonly taken orally in pill form or dissolved in water but can also be snorted or injected.

Hallucinogens, like LSD, PCP, Mushrooms, and Salvia, are all examples of psychoactive or mind-altering drugs. While an addiction to this type of drug is less common than other drugs, use and abuse of these substances can cause dangerous consequences and severe negative side effects.

Inhalants include household items such as spray paints, markers and cleaning supplies which are inhaled through the mouth or nose in order to achieve a high. Inhaling certain types of these substances can lead to heart failure, resulting in death.

Marijuana is one of the most commonly abused addictive substances. The main psychoactive ingredient, THC, causes temporary euphoria followed by drowsiness, slowed reaction time, and increased appetite. Synthetic Marijuana refers to the growing number of manufactured substances that contain a chemical similar to THC. Its effects can be unpredictable and intense.

While the decision to use one of these drugs for the first time is usually voluntary, an unexpected addiction can make the decision to quit much harder. Addiction changes the way a person’s brain operates and, consequently, the way that person behaves.

The good news is that Cedar House is here to help. As long as these deadly drugs are on the streets, people in our community will be susceptible to them. The dedicated staff at Cedar House is committed to empowering those who are suffering with substance use and co-occurring disorders through the challenges of addiction. Support our mission today. Together, we can make a change. We can combat the drug culture and bring about a safer, healthier community.

Are you ready to get on the path to recovery? Maybe you’ve been sober for years and continue to work on your recovery everyday. Or, you might be suffering and feel unsure about whether you can even start battling your addiction. Wherever you are in your journey, Cedar House is here to support you along the way. Sometimes, simple words of wisdom go a long way in motivating you to pursue a better life. Please use the following collection of inspirational quotes to guide you along whatever part of the path you find yourself on today:

1. “If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz
2. “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis
3. “I got sober. I stopped killing myself with alcohol. I began to think: ‘Wait a minute. If I can stop doing this, what are the possibilities?’ And slowly it dawned on me that it was maybe worth the risk.” – Craig Ferguson
4. “Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
5. “We honor ourselves when we speak out for recovery. We show the world that recovery matters because it brings hope and peace into the lives of individuals and their loved ones.” – Beth Wilson
6. “As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.” – Mahatma Gandhi
7. “I think that the power is in the principle. The principle of moving forward, as though you have the confidence to move forward, eventually gives you confidence when you look back and see what you’ve done.” – Robert Downey Jr.
8. “No matter how dark the night may get, your light will never burn out.” – Jeanette LeBlanc
9. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
10. “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
11. “One of the hardest things was learning that I was worth recovery.” – Demi Lovato
12. “Rising from the ashes, I am born again, powerful, exultant, majestic through all the pain.” – Shannon Perry
13. “Sometimes you’ve just got to give yourself what you wish someone else would give you.” – Dr. Phil McGraw
14. “Sobriety was the best gift I ever gave myself.” – Rob Lowe
15. “Recovery is all about using our power to change our beliefs that are based on faulty data.” – Kevin McCormick
16. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius
17. “Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.” – Carl Bard
18. “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
19. “Amazing how we can light tomorrow with today.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
20. “Don’t let the past steal your present.” – Cherríe L. Morga
21. “If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.” – Buddhist Proverb
22. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
23. “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” – Muhammad Ali
24. “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
25. “It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” – Joseph Campbell
26. “If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.” – Michael Jordan
27. “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar
28. “I understood, through rehab, things about creating characters. I understood that creating whole people means knowing where we come from, how we can make a mistake and how we overcome things to make ourselves stronger.” – Samuel L. Jackson
29. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
30. “My recovery from drug addiction is the single greatest accomplishment of my life… but it takes work — hard, painful work — but the help is there, in every town and career, drug/drink freed members of society, from every single walk and talk of life to help and guide.” – Jamie Lee Curtis
31. “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
32. “Sometimes you can only find Heaven by slowly backing away from Hell.” – Carrie Fisher
33. “It is 10 years since I used drugs or alcohol and my life has improved immeasurably. I have a job, a house, a cat, good friendships and, generally, a bright outlook… The price of this is constant vigilance because the disease of addiction is not rational.” – Russell Brand
34. “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” – Japanese proverb
35. “I realized that I only had two choices: I was either going to die or I was going to live, and which one did I want to do? And then I said those words, ‘I’ll get help,’ or, ‘I need help. I’ll get help.’ And my life turned around. Ridiculous for a human being to take 16 years to say, ‘I need help.’” – Sir Elton John
36. “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller
37. “If it wasn’t for that rehab center, I probably wouldn’t have been here. In terms of recovery, it has been very important for me to be a part of a recovery community, to actively be around my people because they understand me. They get it.” – Macklemore
38. “All the suffering, stress, and addiction comes from not realizing you already are what you are looking for. “– Jon Kabat-Zinn
39. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela
40. “Every experience in your life is being orchestrated to teach you something you need to know to move forward.” – Brian Tracy
41. “Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.” – Bernard Williams
42. “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” – Rosa Parks
43. “Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, ‘I’m possible!’” – Audrey Hepburn
44. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
45. “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean
46. “I dwell in possibility.” – Emily Dickinson
47. “Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you.” – Aldous Huxley
48. “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
49. “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
50. “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
51. “As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.” – Katharine Hepburn
52. “Amazing how we can light tomorrow with today.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
53. “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
54. “I went to hell and back, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Then I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in, happy about life and comfortable in my skin.” – Drew Barrymore
55. “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” – J.K. Rowling
56. “Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” – Charlotte Whitton
57. “You must do the things you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
58. “Even in the midst of devastation, something within us always points the way to freedom.” – Sharon Salzberg
59. “Recovery is hard. Regret is harder.” – Brittany Burgunder
60. “If things go wrong, don’t go with them.” – Roger Babson