We are collecting messages of positivity and good fortune for those recovering from alcohol and/or drug addiction. Your message will be put into a large bottle for patients at health centers to pull and read, helping uplift spirits and keeping them on the path of recovery. While no names or email addresses are necessary, notes of good luck and well wishes are highly appreciated.
113 thoughts on “Message in a Bottle Project”
I’ve had family members who went through rehab. I know the daunting challenges you’re facing…and admire your courage and changing your life! YOU CAN DO THIS!!
I know you’re tired. I know there are times you feel like giving up. But you aren’t going to, and you know why? BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG! And when you’ve survived through all the crap your addiction has put you through, you can survive anything.
Recovery begins at exactly that moment
When you are completely broken to pieces
And must surrender to unfamiliar and uncomfortable ways
In order to be rebuilt
Into who you were meant to be.
Start by doing what’s necessary, then by doing what’s possible;
And suddenly you are doing the impossible.
(St. Francis of Assisi)
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill.
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
Stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that must not quit.
Each day brings you a little closer to that bright horizon where all is well again.
A lot of us think there’s no way we’ll ever be able to give up drugs or alcohol, but we underestimate the strength within ourselves. You are stronger than you think. Don’t give up.
Even little steps of success are moving you forward. Keep going, the best is yet to be.
Where there is a will there is a way. Be strong and don’t give up the fight to start your new way in life!
Life can be tough and knock you down, the key is knowing when to ask for help up. Do your best!
It’s okay to grieve the feeling you won’t feel again. However being happy and healthy surpasses that feeling.
I know this road is hard. I know that you may want to quit. I know that it’s easy to give in again and again. But you won’t. You won’t because you are strong. You won’t because you are worth fighting for. You are worth it.
Keep your focus on the prize. All the good things that you are moving towards…the best is yet to be.
Keep making decisions that will lead to your success and you’ll get there.
Can you remember your life before alcohol and drugs? Do you remember if you were happier or not? Did people accept you then? When people go down this path drugs and alcohol, yes you, yourself could be happier but you’re affecting the people around you. Do they approve of your behavior and your decisions? What’s important now is recovering and becoming the best person you can be for yourself and others. Joke: What do you call a well-balanced horse? Stable.
It will take time and patience but you can get through anything you set your mind to. Never give up, you can do this.
You are worth it. You are loved. You CAN do this.
it ain’t about hard you get hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. Keep going keep fighting keep pushing towards the new you.
The first step is always the hardest. The steps required to continue on in your journey, at times, may seem even harder than that first step. What is impossible to describe until you start to get there, is the joy that comes in the journey as you get better, healthier, and cleaner. Your past, present and future self will thank you for choosing to have the courage to hold on during your hardest and darkest times. The night is always darkest before the dawn, but the dawn does come.
Every day, hour, and minute you abstain you are growing. You are growing mentally stronger every day. Do not let the demons of temptation get to you. YOU CAN DO IT
I know it probably seems redundant hearing these things but you can truly never say it enough. You can do this! It may seem hard now but please look to the future!! You got this we are all praying for your recovery!!
“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving.”
-Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Turn your pain into anger, anger into motivation, and motivation into success
The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step. You can do this!
May Angelou wrote, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
I believe in YOU! You are worth the current struggle. You will look back someday and thank your younger self for committing to getting clean. Good days are coming!
It’s Not That Some People Have Willpower And Some Don’t.
It’s That Some People Are Ready To Change And Others Are Not.
You can do this!
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
Things can get hard and you will be challenged. One thing I’ve told my loved ones who are struggling is it’s one day at a time. Don’t look down the road just take one day at a time and ask for help when you need it.
I know this shit is hard. We all go through hardships. The big difference between you and others going through hardships is that you had the courage to do something about it and stead of letting it beat you down.
There will be days that are harder than others, but the reward of finding yourself will be so worth all of it
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and slow down.
The world is a beautiful place and I’m so happy that I get to experience it with you
Recovery is hard but regret is harder! Keep going! You can do this and those around you are there to help you succeed!
You are doing GREAT work!! Take it one day at a time. Each and every trip around the sun sober is a HUGE win!!
Keep up the great work!!! Don’t quit now!! Remember you don’t want to quit 5 minutes before the miracle! You never know which day will be THE day that makes the biggest difference so keep showing up and doing the hard work. You’ve got this!!!
Being sober is hard and you are KILLING it!! Remember you DESERVE to be sober!!
You are more than what other people say about you
You are more than the place you are leaving at right now
You are loved and we believe in you
Believe in yourself
Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14
Keep fighting. I know you are tired and I know there are times you want to give up. Personally I understand. I have been there. But the second you realize you are not alone, you CAN do this, you ARE worthy of a better life, and that YOU deserve the best for YOURSELF- your whole perspective will change. You are strong. You are wonderful, and most of all you are IMPORTANT. It isn’t going to be easy and it will test you, but you are strong and able. YOU, i believe will come out on the other side. Healthier, stronger, and most importantly, a better you. Keep going, keep fighting, stay strong. Sending you all my love.
It’s never too soon to help yourself, and never to late to ask for help. Everyday clean is a HUGE achievement, and should be thought of as such. Keep up the good work.
“It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress”
Don’t give up! You’ve got this!
You can find beauty and love in your life outside of your fix. Be selfish and put yourself first, love yourself first, you are full of potential and can achieve great things. Do not let the ghost of who you could have been haunt you when your days are over. Want to be better for yourself, not for anyone else.
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.
Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.
There is some good in this world, and its worth fighting for.
When the world says, ‘Give up,’ hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’
Your recovery must come first so that everything you love in life doesn’t come last. You can do this!
Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful, it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s how it is to live heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful!
Stopping using is an important piece but not the whole recovery. You recover by creating a new life where it is easier to not use. If you don’t create a new life, then all the factors that brought you to your addiction will eventually catch up to you again.
. 12 Rewards of Sobriety
1. Hope instead of desperation
2. Faith instead of despair
3. Courage instead of fear
4. Peace of mind instead of confusion
5. Self-respect instead of self-contempt
6. Self-confidence instead of selfishness
7. Respect of others instead of pity and contempt
8. A clean conscience instead of a sense of guilt
9. Real friendships instead of loneliness
10. A clean pattern of life instead of purposeless existence
11. The love and understanding of our families instead of their doubts and fears
12. The freedom of a happy life instead of the bondage of an alcoholic obsession
A lot of people have not made it as far as you have in this process. Keep Showing Up. You Are Strong. You Are Capable. Don’t forget to be proud of what you’ve accomplished this far!!
“Fall down 7 times, stand up 8”
Just keep going. We all stumble and fall….it’s part of the journey. There will be peaks and valleys; and you can learn from every experience.
You are not alone….many have come before you, and many will come after you. Today, you can be a light for others, no matter where you are on your journey.
People who don’t even know you are cheering for you. You can do hard things.
Divine Love floods my consciousness with health, and
every cell in my body is filled with light.
Divine Love now dissolves and dissipates every wrong
condition in my mind, body and affairs. Divine Love is the
most powerful chemical in the universe, and dissolves
everything which is not of itself!
You are kind. You are smart. You are Important. Keep being yourself and be the you, you wish to be and become. You got this!!
I know times can be rough, but keep pushing forward. You can do anything you set your mind to and God has a path for you so just have Faith.
You are loved, never forget that.
Hey! I am thinking about you and said a prayer for a bright, joyous future for YOU today! In a time that you might feel alone or completely isolated, just know that there are kind, beautiful people that love you and care about you. I truly believe that this beautiful world that God created would not be the same without you in it! It might seem hard to see now but keep on pushing and you will see the bright light at the end of the tunnel!
Dear friend, I want you to know that you are not defined by your past struggles with addiction. You are a unique and valuable individual, deserving of love and respect. Remember to be kind to yourself and celebrate the progress you have made, no matter how small it may seem. Every day is an opportunity to make positive choices and move closer towards your goals. You are capable of creating a bright and fulfilling future for yourself. Keep pushing forward, even when the road gets tough. Remember that you are not alone, and there is a whole community of people who want to see you succeed. I believe in you and your ability to overcome any obstacle that comes your way. Stay strong and keep moving forward on your journey towards recovery.
I know it must be difficult, but just remember that no matter how slow you go, it will all be worth it as long as you do not give up. Stay strong, you can do this.
When going through my grandfather’s coin collection, I came across his AA sobriety chips. I had never known. He was a wonderful grandfather, and he never gave a hint of what he had struggled through. It will get better, you will feel better, and those you love will know the real you.
Your strength is admirable. You can do this! The process of recovery can be really difficult, you’re amazing for choosing to better yourself. And if this applies to you, remember relapsing isn’t the end. What matters is the big picture, you can start anew the next day. Keep on fighting!
Remember, you’re never alone! Happiness and recovery happens as you walk hand in hand with God
I know the struggle is tough right now, but keep going! You deserve recovery mentally and physically. Life is so much more beautiful on the other side, and I want you to see it. Don’t stop now when you have come so far.
my partner struggles with alcohol addiction so i see first-hand every day how it can effect a person. it is so important to remember that everyday is a new day and all you can do is make the best of it. quitting an addiction is a battle and you are extremely brave and powerful for even attempting to quit. remember that you are loved and you have support in places that you least expect. love yourself and be kind to yourself, being hard on yourself won’t make it any better. you can do this. believe in yourself!
Just take a deep breath, everything will be okay, it’s just a phase it will all pass.
Just because today might not feel the greatest, you can always make tomorrow better
There are brighter days ahead, persevere, and you’ll make it there.
I’ve had someone I know who battled lymphoma and lost her hair, and missed her second semester of college. I wanted to let her know that she is a strong girl and a fighter, and I
U!!
Life WILL get better for you. God loves you so much and he is there for you. Have patience and he will help you in so many ways. Today is not the end, it’s a new beginning!
You might be going through a rough time, but I promise it will get easier. Just take baby steps and always look at the positives that will come to you. If you are ever in need of help, there will always be someone there for you.
You’re doing well, you can keep doing it
This is to offer encouragement in the hard times! I have friends that are addicts in recovery. They tell me the hardest thing sometimes is feeling like they’re alone in the battle. I assure you are not! If you believe, go with God. If not, there are plenty of groups out there that offer support. You just have to ask! Good luck and I’m rooting for you!
always know you aren’t going through this alone. you will overcome and it’ll be better than you ever imagined.
I’m Not Telling You It Is Going To Be Easy, I’m Telling You It’s Going To Be Worth It.
you are so strong. have hope and know you are not alone.
Through the thick and thin, positive and negative times, just remember how beautiful you are on the inside and out. You can tackle anything that comes your way and over come anything you put your mind you. Stay strong you got this!
I have been there with my father. Its a hard road but I have full faith that you can push through it! You are so strong, brave and determined. If you believe you can then you will!
It always seems impossible until it’s done!!!!
As long as there is life there is possibility <3
You got this!!! You fricking got this.
It always seems impossible until it’s done!!!!
As long as there is life there is possibility <3
You got this!!! You fricking got this.
You’ve come so far already, no matter what anyone thinks. And each day you’re one step closer to your goals.
Don’t let anything get in your way! You’re doing what’s best for you!!
You are not only worthy but capable of recovery and another chance. You are more than your addiction, and you are not alone. :))
Recovery is like a storm. Don’t let the rain get you down, the rainbow is coming! If you tell yourself you can do it, you will
– Desirae
You are worth it and you are loved. Do not give up, remember progress over perfection! One day at a time, you’ve got this
Making a bad mistake does not make you a bad person. The only true fault you can make is not learning from where you went wrong. You have the power today, tomorrow, and everyday to turn yourself into someone better than you were before. Like my grandma always told me; not everyone can do great things or be a great person, but you may always do small things with great love. So show yourself some love 1 step at a time, and use your story strength to inspire those around you as well.
Even if the road is long, never give up and keep fighting for your goals.
I strongly believe in you. You have the power to change the direction of your life. Best believe there is a life out there waiting for you, I wish you all the best!
You are never alone. There are so many resources to help recovery begin or start again. Nobody is perfect, but you can begin to make the change.
The first step to becoming your authentic self is always the hardest. Yet, you’ve taken the first step by seeking help. Love yourself and follow your heart! Know that you aren’t alone in this journey and that as long as you reach out, people will be there to love and support you every step of the way!
You can do this! You are a WARRIOR! Take it one day at a time.
You are doing great! You will make it through. Whenever you feel down and upset just know that you have someone rooting for you. Greatness will come and everything will be worth it in the end! Always praying for you and always rooting for you!
No matter how hard it gets your are doing great! Keep pushing. Keep trying. You are important and there is always someone who is willing to help!!
Recovery is all about progression. Muhammad Ali once said, “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” You can do it!
Addiction and substance abuse are issues in America that are not properly dealt with, and help programs for its victims are very under-funded. I believe that the first step for someone struggling with addiction is to fully recognize and accept that you’ve fallen victim to a trap that thousands find themselves entangled with every year. The blame is not on you, in fact, it never truly should be.
Recovery is entirely possible, if you are able to reach out to the help available. These programs can help you learn effective coping mechanisms, engaging discussions, and get a firm grasp on your cravings.
Your mental health is the root of these addictions, and our brains can almost always bounce back with proper dedication and time.
Happiness and serenity CAN be found outside of the crutch of substances, if you learn where to look.
You are more than just an addict. You have a personality independent of substance abuse. You can enjoy things while sober. You are worthy of love and good things in this world. You are strong and courageous.
I have never been in your position before, but I have had family members who went through rehab. I know you are going through hard challenges right now. I am so proud of you. YOU GOT THIS; I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!!!!
I don’t know your family foundation or how many friends you may have, but I do know you have strong support and people that care so deeply for you. Both of my parents are recovering, I know how hard it can be just from a second hand perspective. Just because something is hard, maybe the hardest thing you had to do, doesn’t make it impossible. You are capable! You are STRONG! Keep pushing, no matter how difficult give it your all. It’s okay to fall you just have to keep getting back up. You’re loved, supported, and so worth it, so work towards that healthy, new you!
You are unique and special. You have a talent and passion that you can express. You have courageously decided to overcome your addiction. Addiction can make you lose interest in the things you love and prevent you from achieving your goals. But you are stronger than your addiction. You are willing to face the challenges and work hard for your recovery. Remember this quote from Muhammad Ali: “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”. You can do this. You can be free. You can be a champion.
I am from a family full of addicts and people struggling with addictive personalities. As someone on the inside and outside looking in, you need to know that your value is still the same as it was before you fell into addiction. You are no less than, nor are you not worthy of forgiveness or trust. Please remember as you’re on your journey, that the 1 person you have to wake up for is YOU. Nobody else, don’t let the outside world pressure you into believing anything else. You are enough, you are worthy, you are strong, and you are capable of ALL things. YOU are worth fighting for. Be kind to yourself, forgive your past mistakes, learn from them, and move on. You got this.
I know this probably feels cliché and you have probably heard it all before, but you should be so proud of yourself. Choosing to get help and beat addiction is the hardest thing, and small amount of people do it. This should show you how strong you are, and how much fight you have in you. It should also show you how emotionally intelligent you are. A very small amount of people lack the self awareness to see their faults, let alone want to fix them. I have no doubt you have had hard days, so when you want to quit or give up, just remember those hard days. If you went through that without giving up, you can do this. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste on a temporary feeling. This addiction does not define you, how you choose to handle it does.
Hi their ! I believe in you. I’ve had sister who was using , and I have watched her become better then she was ever. It might feel like you can’t do it some days, but I promise it will get easier then ever you will look back and be like how did i not do this sooner, but patience is key. We all believe in you.
this is a step in the right direction! you are doing so well keep up the good work! you are important! you are loved!
You are loved and there’s nothing you can’t do. It’s hard to do what you are doing, but each day you will get stronger, and I believe in you and I’m cheering you on. You should be extremely proud of yourself for taking the steps to become a better version of yourself, and your future self will be thanking you.
I know it hurts. I know that it is difficult. You are still you.
“They tell you life isn’t supposed to be easy. But they never told you it would be this hard. And how do you start living when all you’ve ever known, is that one day after all the pain there will come a sense of peace. And once you get there, you’ll know. And you’ll start living and everything becomes just a bit easier.”
In case no one has told you today, I am so proud of you! You’ve got this!
“Recovery is about PROGRESSION, not PERFECTION”
I admire your strength addiction is the hardest thing in this world to overcome and you do it everyday. You are so amazing. I am so proud of you and the person you are becoming.
Congratulations on taking the courageous step towards addiction recovery! It takes a lot of strength to face your challenges and work towards a healthier lifestyle. Remember to celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and to be patient with yourself as recovery is a journey with ups and downs. You are not alone in this. Keep pushing forward!
It might not be the easiest thing to do, but it is very, very worth it. I believe in you, and you are loved.
Hi their ! I believe in you. I’ve had sister who was using , and I have watched her become better then she was ever. It might feel like you can’t do it some days, but I promise it will get easier then ever you will look back and be like how did i not do this sooner, but patience is key. We all believe in you.
You are doing great. Never forget that you are loved, and I bevel that you are going to accomplish everything that you set your mind too. Never give up on yourself, I won’t give up on you.