What does recovery look like to you?

In honor of Recovery Month 2020, we invited community members to share photos and describe how they represented “recovery” to them. Recovery is everywhere, so we also asked people to share photos representing personal recovery, family recovery, recovery advocacy, recovery pets, hope, recovery allies, recovery professionals, honor guard (10+ years of recovery) and remembering a loved one.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your powerful stories of hope and resiliency. We received over 200 photos!

JeremiahTo me, recovery opened the door to family ... and playing again

HannahIn recovery there is hope; and hope is a wonderful thing. 💕 Jaedan, momma loves you💕

CaddyRecovery and family, it's a thing!!!

Two women, wide eyes and big smiles, near stage with Garth Brooks singing.

CaitlinI didn’t know how I would have fun when I stopped drinking. However, here I am 3 years sober and was upgraded to front row seats for Garth Brooks. I went to the concert with my sister, whose relationship I would not have today if it weren’t for my recovery. It is one of my favorite memories we shared together.

Five people, one holding a baby, standing near a lake

BeckieTeam Kick it for Kellie 2018

MarieMy kids and me.

Father and child, sitting inside, smiling at the camera

JovanyHappiness

Man holding child, both wearing hats, on a sunny day outside at the Walk for Recovery

GloriaIt became a tradition to bring out grandchildren to the Walk for Recovery.

Group of people standing on dock at a lake

Miche'leIt is because of Recovery that my family has their daughter, sister, and my son has his mom. My Cheerleaders!! My family, THANK YOU FOR Believing in my Recovery journey. Love, Miche'le Cortinas

Woman with smiling eyes, wearing a purple protective face mask

AshleyJesus Is Back, Change Is On The Rise. My Pain Was Not In Vain. I Love You All!!!

Smiling adult son and his father sitting outside.

JustinWhen I was not in recovery I never spoke with my family. Now that I chose a recovery we live together. This is my 83 year old father and me enjoying some sun! The connection and love we have for each other is so much stronger than it used to be. For that I am forever grateful.

Seven adults seated outside at picnic tables with balloons.

ShandelleCelebrating the birth of a recovery baby!

Mother smiling as son leans head on her shoulder.

HeatherRecovery allows me to be the Mom he deserves.

Man, woman, and adolescent standing smiling.

Valerie

This photo means the world to me, not just because it’s with my fiancé and my nephew. It means a lot to me because it shows that when you grow and recover it affects everyone just like your addiction does. I’m able to affect my nephew in a positive way. We were all wearing our sober squad shirts with pride to a family event. I have family that loves me and still supports me from my lowest times. And I’m even more grateful that I have sober support friends that turned into family. Recovery is family! Squad!

Father wearing purple honor guard ribbon (symbolizing 10+ years in recovery) bending down to take picture next to daughter, holding a sign that says "FREEDOM!"

LauraRecovery means raising next generations to normalize Recovery and stop stigmatization around SUD’s.

Little girl sitting in stroller holding sign that reads, "I heart sober squad"

ColinRipple effects

Mother smiling with toddler son on lap, smiling daughter pressed against her face, while on the beach.

SaraAfter 4 years I have custody of both of my children ❤️

3 women and 5 men seated at a restaurant table indoors.

GloriaNot many times when my family celebrated our Recovery together. After dinner we went to a Timberwolves game.

JulieWe are a family that stands with Recovery. I get to have an incredible life today loving and living with my family BECAUSE of recovery.

7 adults and 3 children standing in a group on Capitol grounds

BeckieTeam Kick it for Kellie 2020

Marie30 days sober.

Adolescent outdoors wearing helmet and zip lining gear.

ColinGiving valuable experiences to my son and being present.

Mother standing arm in arm with two teenage sons.

RuthRecovery has allowed me to be a better mother. An added benefit is my son decided to follow in my footsteps! Habits are contagious in the family, and that includes good ones too.

BeckieTeam Kick it for Kellie 2017

Smiling family, of 24 adults and children, standing together

BrianThis photo represents how recovery was able to reunite me with my family.

Woman and her young son, smiling for a selfie

AmandaMy boy is my life ..We do Recover.

Smiling woman with arms around young son making a silly face.

MarishaMy son and I outside The Lion King, west end, London. Already we are recovering from a hideous family situation, even though I am still married to his father.

Smiling woman and man standing outside in front of new home construction site.

Annette

This picture means growth in Recovery to me. This is a photo of us at our groundbreaking for our new home. This means a place for our family to always come to, and be together. In recovery all things are possible. We together have found recovery, and are living dreams that we could never have imagined. Less than 4 years ago we were actively using praying that something would save us because we were unable to save ourselves. Today life is filled with hopes and dreams, family, safety and daily blessings. Recovery is possible for anyone...

Two women, one holding a young girl, holding a sign that says Kick It for Kellie

BeckieTeam Kick it for Kellie 2016

Collection of glass stones with positive messages written on them

AshleyRecovery To Me Is When You Forgive Yourself For Your Past Mistakes, Actually Living!!!

Young boy and girl standing outside smiling for a photo

MelissaThere are more reasons to say "no" than there is to say "yes".

MarieMy husband and me.

Black and white photo of woman with small child, sleeping

KaylaI gave her life , she gave me a reason to live.

AdrienneMy sons are the most beautiful humans I have ever met! They are why I choose recovery! They deserve to have a happy, healthy mom that loves herself.