Recovering Alcoholic Tattoos

Usually the tattoos have the number 13 in them, and Ash’s razor blade has “XIII” which is the Roman Numeral for 13. 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. This is because they typically utilize more symbolic imagery, and can have more meanings applied to them than just recovery from addiction. To continue their efforts, Clean Line Tattoos hosts free recovery yoga weekly at their shop. So what you’re not seeing doesn’t mean it ain’t happening,” Nichols said.

Body modification is a normal part of life in recovery and is a generally healthy form of self-expression, but taking it too far may mean that your fascination has crossed the line. Tattoos and piercings should generally be enjoyed in moderation, much like other substances. It’s important to understand that extensive body modification isn’t necessarily unhealthy. Many people manage to be heavily tattooed and live a normal life without body modification playing a dominating role. Extensive body modification will not necessarily detract from important career choices or interfere with meaningful work, either.

Quantifying Success in Addiction Treatment and Recovery

This includes the acronym ODAT, or “One Day At a Time.” These words remind individuals that recovery is not a linear process, and will often include rough patches or set-backs along the way. Progressive tattoos can help people keep track of their progress towards achieving their ultimate goal of permanent sobriety. This prayer is meant to help remind individuals of their strengths and weaknesses when recovering from addiction, and to keep their faith in the process. Thus, these tattoos can be placed in a more discrete area, making them less subject to judgment of others. Of course, those who are less worried about other peoples’ opinions can make this a more visible piece. Of course, it is ultimately up to the individual to decide whether getting a sobriety tattoo is the best idea for them.

• While this may seem obvious, many people believe that addiction recovery is a race they must win.
• Piercings will often close if not used for several months or years, and the appearance of tattoos can be reduced or eliminated through the use of costly laser treatments.
• Some who are proud of their accomplishment and aren’t shy about discussing their past, get tattoos that help mark the days, months, or even years that they have been free of alcohol or drugs.
• This is a progressive tattoo that will build as you move forward, similar to the coins that can be earned for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
• When getting a sobriety tattoo, it is crucial that you find a tattoo artist who is just as committed to your reason to get a tattoo as you are.

Our products are valuable and are therefore not available as free samples. However, we are happy to offer individual packets with sample sizes of our products for artists and shops. These sample packets allow artists to get a feel for the kind of aftercare we offer. The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care.

Progressive Tattoo

When he went through recovery from alcohol three years ago, he struggled to pursue his career while also staying sober. Any pleasurable behavior, from shopping to gambling to sex, can be addictive, and this includes tattoos. These activities do not require an external chemical to meet the threshold for an addiction, they simply must take on the characteristics of a process addiction. For some people, getting tattoos and making further changes to the body can indeed be an addiction, creating new and complex issues for those in recovery. This helps to bring in a person’s commitment to sobriety through the 12-step program and AA through one design. If you are proud of your accomplishment and aren’t shy about discussing your past, you can get a tattoo that helps you to mark the days, months, or even years that you have been free of alcohol.

• Of course, there are some downfalls with getting a sobriety tattoo that an individual may want to keep in mind.
• Whether you choose to get the ink or not, remember your courageous decision, and you will be victorious.
• Some people can live with a few tattoos without a strong urge to get more, but tying tattoos to emotions or circumstances can lead to a rapid acceleration in body modification decisions.

Implants and more extreme piercing choices, like ear gauging — the process of using larger earrings over time to expand the hole in the earlobe — may only be corrected through surgery. An extreme number of tattoos can also be virtually impossible to remove; take, for example, recovering addict tattoos Lucky Diamond Rich, an Australian man who has 100% of his visible skin tattooed. Many people choose to get their addiction recovery tattoos after completing a treatment program. These tattoos can be a reminder of how far they have come and what they are fighting for.

thoughts on “[Recovery] Sobriety Symbols & Tattoos”

This is a good symbol to align yourself with if the AA’s symbol (see below) does not resonate with you due to their emphasis on religion as part of recovery. According to published literature, cetyl alcohol is considered safe and nontoxic for use https://ecosoberhouse.com/ on skin and hair. In cosmetic labeling, the standalone term «alcohol» refers to ethyl alcohol. Cosmetic products including those labeled «alcohol-free» may contain alcohols known as fatty alcohols, such as cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl, or lanolin.

This is a progressive tattoo that will build as you move forward, similar to the coins that can be earned for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The tattoo can grow to be fairly large, but can also stay a small reminder. For example, this could work in a discrete area like the inside of your wrist (covered with a bracelet or watch), along your foot, or other relatively hidden area.

The AA Sobriety Triangle

The information provided by Find Addiction Rehabs is not a substitute for professional treatment advice. John Nichols says that staying sober has improved his ability to perform his craft. You can also share your work to Instagram and mention us using @recoveryaftercare.

The circle is meant to represent AA itself or the community that is available to support you through your journey. Placement of the triangle symbol is very diverse given the simplicity of the logo. You could choose to tat this as a standalone piece or a hidden symbol with a larger piece or sleeve work. Whatever type you choose, this logo can help to remind you of your determination and strength on the rough days.