“Me and my best friend got a semicolon type tattoo for my journey through self-harm and suicidal attempts.” — Taylor B. “‘Stay Strong;’ Of course the semicolon is for the Semicolon Project, but I got these when I made a promise to myself to Stay Strong. When I want to self-harm, I look down and remember to Stay Strong and that my story isn’t near over yet.” — Morgan L. Birds are, in many cultures, often seen as symbols of freedom, change, and movement; all of which are relevant themes for those overcoming addiction. One of the more popular choices for these communities is the phoenix.

“After he passed, my career, home and life fell apart,” Michael says. “I decided on this tattoo as a constant reminder to always keep moving forward, and that I was blessed to have such a strong figure and role meaningful sobriety tattoos model in my life.” Sobriety tattoos are not exclusive to persons struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. They can be used by anyone who wants to show their dedication to leaving behind unhealthy habits.

Recent Posts

While these sayings come off as trite to the casual observer, they serve as beloved messages that serve to encourage recovering alcoholics or other substance abusers to keep fighting. If you struggle with mindfulness and living in the moment, a “breathe” tattoo could also be a reminder to pay mindful attention to your breath as a way of managing your mental health. If you’ve considered getting a depression tattoo, you might have wondered what type to get. The list below includes 11 options to consider if you want a tattoo that is representative of depression and mental health.

• Having one of these tattoos doesn’t just mean you’re carrying an artwork, but you’re wearing your heart on your skin, showing the world your resolve, and your triumphant battle against addiction.
• The symbols of recovery are essential because they’re a way to identify yourself as someone trying to improve your life.
• I designed this tattoo as a way to reclaim my body and skin from self-harm.
• It is a way of viewing the world and thinking, feeling and acting.
• Furthermore, brief, simple phrases are also ideal for people in recovery.

These tattoos serve as badges of honor for those in recovery, reminding them and the world of their strength, resilience, and determination to break free from the shackles of addiction. They are meaningful tattoos that can range from a simple, small symbol to an elaborate design, each with a unique story, a unique journey of recovery. Today, we’re treading on a road less traveled, the story behind sobriety tattoos. If you’re someone who’s battling the demons of addiction or if you’re a recovering alcoholic and looking to stand shoulder to shoulder with someone who is, sit tight, this one’s for you. Furthermore, brief, simple phrases are also ideal for people in recovery. “Fake it until you make it,” for example, is a multifaceted slogan that is often ideal for those in early recovery.

What tattoo symbols for overcoming?

Gavin has struggled with depression since he was very young, which he attributes in part to a childhood marked by physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as racism. Although he initially failed out of high school, he ultimately went back to school, obtaining a master’s degree in English and becoming a teacher. If so, it could actually serve to increase your guilt – which, by the way, is a major driver of addiction. Though this may not seem like much of a hassle to a non-addict, the struggle is real and the overcoming, a great victory. It helps ground me, so I’m not having urges to self-harm.” — Jalayne S. “I like to think that anything beautiful can go through bad things.

Tattoos have been a form of self-expression for thousands of years. While tattoos have gotten a bad rap from society in the not so distant past, people who love ink know that a tattoo can be a work of art, a thing of beauty, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and the ultimate form of self-expression. Whatever option you like best, the combination of the word “love” with the semicolon will once again serve as a reminder that self-compassion and perseverance are most important.

[Recovery] Sobriety Symbols & Tattoos

However, in the event that a person relapses, this sobriety tattoo may instead be a painful reminder of their initial failure to become substance-free. “My latest tattoo is a quote from All Time Low’s song, ‘Missing You.’ It talks about how when you feel so alone and lost in the world, to never give up and to keep fighting. It was released after I met the band, and they hugged me so hard when they saw my arms and spoke to me about it. Alex and Jack told me to never give up, and that things will pass with time — and that I can recover. I now look at this tattoo every time I feel like giving up, and remember my heroes are supporting my recovery 100 percent.” — Abby A.

• Some researchers believe that expressive art is an effective way of helping people share their experiences, promoting healing and overall improvements in a person’s state of mind.
• This symbol is used particularly frequently as a small, discreet, AA recovery tattoo for those in Alcoholics Anonymous or a related 12 step program.
• A paper by Everett W. Painter further explored the therapeutic effects of tattoos on trauma victims1.

Getting your own tattoo about mental health helps you share mental illness perspectives with others. The uniqueness surrounding mental health tattoos probes people’s curiosity. Their curiosity prompts them to ask questions about the tattoo so that you can start a conversation about mental health. Your answers can help grow mental health awareness and reduce stigma. Depression, to some extent, is common to almost all mental health disorders. Depression tattoos can represent bleak and tired emotions or self-doubt.

Some folks manage to wrestle with this beast of alcoholism and pin it down. They find their way back to sobriety, the good ol’ natural state of human beings. I’ve gotta tell you, it’s a sight to behold, a real heart-warmer, seeing someone reclaim their life, their humanity. Single words like “Strength,” “Hope,” and “Love” often serve as inspiration, whether for a recovering alcoholic or those overcoming a form of drug abuse. For many recovering individuals, the flower’s physical behavior can have deep spiritual meaning.

It also serves as a reminder for an individual to find the calm through the chaos. Due to the importance of the piece, it will typically be found in an area visible for other people. These places are the forearm, inside of the wrist, back, or side of the chest.

Heart with Semicolon

And for many in recovery from addiction, tattoos related to their sobriety are both celebratory of their new life choices and prudent reminders of their past. Anything that provides a meaningful reminder to someone about their recovery and the impact of staying sober counts as a recovery symbol. Nonetheless, the addiction recovery community has developed some common drug recovery symbols to celebrate sobriety. The list below captures ten of these celebratory drug recovery symbols.