If you or someone you love is in recovery from addiction or alcoholism, you have probably heard of 12-step programs. 12-step fellowships like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are the main forms of recovery for many individuals who struggle with substance abuse issues. These programs connect recovering individuals with other people struggling with similar issues and allow them to share their experiences, strength, and hope with one another.
A huge aspect of 12-step programs is the recovery slogans that they use. If you have ever been to a 12-step meeting, you have probably heard someone say, “just take it one day at a time.” People in 12-step recovery groups use slogans like these to provide themselves and others with the motivation to keep going.
To learn how to use recovery slogans as a sobriety tool, you must be aware of the most popular recovery slogans and understand the meanings behind them.
This slogan helps individuals remain focused on the present in addiction recovery. Oftentimes, people get caught up in worrying about the future. Focusing on one day at a time can prevent you from getting overwhelmed and relapsing.
Many people in recovery expect their recovery to be linear. This causes them to get upset when they experience a setback or slip up. This slogan helps you understand that recovery is about progress and no one expects you to be perfect.
Oftentimes, recovery from addiction and sobriety is difficult adjustments. When people say, “keep coming back,” they are telling you that tomorrow might be a better day if you continue working on your recovery program.
Some people have a hard time believing that 12-step programs will help them recover from addiction. This slogan was created to explain to you that these programs do work, however, you have to make a conscious effort to experience the benefits.
This slogan is used to explain the importance of continuing to attend meetings. If you stop going to meetings, you become disconnected from your recovery and your support group, often leading to isolation and relapse.
A vital aspect of 12-step recovery is helping others. Many people believe that this is what helps people maintain long-term sobriety, as helping newcomers keeps individuals connected to the struggles of addiction and early recovery. This is why people say you have to give away what you have to keep it.
This slogan is a metaphor for attending 12-step meetings and learning how to stay sober. In this case, the “barber’s chair” are 12-step meetings and other recovered individuals. The “haircut” is the healing and long-term sobriety that 12-step programs promise their members if they work the program. In other words, by attending meetings and being around sober individuals, you will eventually begin to experience the benefits of recovery.
Oftentimes, people become frustrated with their progress in early recovery. This slogan helps to remind you that recovery from addiction takes time.
This slogan is used to remind people that addiction recovery is not identical for everyone. While some aspects of the program may help others, they might not be beneficial for you. In other words, you should use the aspects of a 12-step program that you like and leave the rest for others to use.
This slogan is used to help you continue working on your 12-step program even when you become defeated. If you quit early on, you could be quitting before you experience the benefits.
There are many different ways you can use the slogans of recovery to stimulate your healing and progress. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Many people use recovery slogans as affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that you tell yourself when you are dealing with self-sabotaging and negative thoughts.
If you are feeling down, reminding yourself to “take it one day at a time” could help ground you and prevent you from experiencing a relapse.
Another way to use the slogans of recovery is to use them as mantras. Yoga and meditation are extremely popular among individuals in recovery, as it helps them clear their mind, focus on the present, and release any negativity they are experiencing.
If you are using yoga or meditation as a recovery tool, you need to have a mantra that helps you keep your mind focused on meditation. Any of the recovery slogans would be great mantras for these practices.
Self-reflection is an important aspect of addiction recovery. It allows you to check-in with yourself and determines how you are feeling, how you behaved during the day, and what you need to work on for tomorrow.
The slogans of recovery can easily be used as a means of self-reflection to determine how you are doing and feeling about your progress in recovery.
Another great way to use the slogans of recovery is the box exercise. This involves writing the slogans of recovery down onto little pieces of paper and putting them in a box or a jar. Every morning, you will take one piece of paper out and read your recovery slogan for the day.
Once you have your slogan, you will try your best to focus on embodying that slogan for the day. Eventually, this will help you to keep these slogans close in your mind every day.
Michael Herbert, The Recovery Guide, has more than 30 years of experience working closely with individuals and families dealing with addiction and recovery issues. He is a seasoned Coach and can help you and your family establish long-term goals and access the tools you need for continued abstinence and recovery for the entire family. Get in touch with Michael today at 561-221-7677 to schedule an appointment.
