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29 People Who Refused To Lose Their Life To Addiction And Took Back Control (Best Of All Time)
Social IssuesOCT 17, 2025

29 People Who Refused To Lose Their Life To Addiction And Took Back Control (Best Of All Time)

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Two thirds of Americans say that their lives have been impacted by addiction, whether they’ve struggled personally or have seen a loved one struggle. There’s no question that addiction can ruin lives. But the good news is that about 75% of those battling addiction will manage to recover, and there can be a beautiful life waiting on the other side.
We’ve taken a trip to The Addict’s Diary Instagram account and compiled their most powerful stories and photos down below. These images show incredible transformations of people who fought tooth and nail to get sober and deserve to be celebrated. This isn’t the first time we’ve featured this page, but today we’ve put their best posts of all time in one place. So enjoy scrolling through these incredible stories, and keep reading to find conversations with Kevin Alter, founder of The Addict’s Diary, and A. Tom Horvath, PhD, ABPP, President of Practical Recovery.

#21 7 Months Alcohol And Heroin Free

Before and after photos of a man showing transformation and recovery from addiction, symbolizing taking back control.
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#22 5 Years Clean From Heroin

Before and after recovery photos of a woman who refused to lose her life to addiction and took back control.
Jeanette was caught stealing to fund her addiction. Despite having 174 previous convictions, Fidler escaped jail after insisting that she had beaten her addiction after completing a drug recovery programme. The mum-of-two completed an eight-week stint in rehab and has now been clean for 5 years.
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#23 Today, I Am 124 Days Clean

Before and after photos of a woman showing transformation and strength in recovery from addiction.
My name Marilyn and I’m an addict. I struggled with crack cocaine addiction for most of my life. I have been in and out of institutions, jails, and prisons. I’ve been a prostitute. I’ve left my children. I stole from my family. On February 23, 2018 I lost my son. Then I lost myself.He was brutally murdered and I lost myself. For 33 years I just wanted one more hit. For 33 years it was always, “I’ll get help tomorrow.” On March 23, 2021 I finally had enough and went into treatment. I could not take the pain of degrading myself one more second. I surrendered and gave it all to God. Today, I allow him to lead and guide me. Today, I live in a sober living environment. Today, I work the steps. Today, I have a sponsor and I talk about my problems. Today, I live life on life’s terms without the use of drugs. Today, I am 124 days clean.
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#24 Six Months Meth And Heroin Clean

Before and after photos of a young man showing recovery and success in taking back control from addiction.
Today, my life is different. And that's all I could really hope for towards the end. Not a better life, because I didn't feel like anything was ever going to get better... But just something different. This is what 6 months of hard work and commitment looks like for me. I can finally know what happiness and serenity feel like. I get to help others as well as tell my story and share my solution. In doing that, I'm able turn all of the negative from before into positive now. If you are struggling, please ask someone for help and dig deep down with everything you have to find the willingness to change. It's worth it, I promise you.
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#25 147 Days Clean From Meth

Before and after photos of a woman showing recovery and strength in her fight against addiction.
We both started smoking ice in 2012 just after we were married. We already had 3 beautiful kids together and had everything, jobs, cars, a mortgage, a dog. And then ICE came and destroyed that, I was 20yrs old than.
We lost it all but my children although I think I came close. We smoked for the next 2 years than started injecting. We moved from NSW to WA to try escape but that's when it got worse. I had to make the choice between drugs/my husband or our children. He was not ready and I couldn't do anything so I left him and came home to NSW with my kids. 2 weeks later he ended up in prison. On August 5th 2014 I decided to get clean and stay clean. I'm now almost 5 months clean and have my own house again, have my dog again, have my own car again, and have my children and my health, both mental and physical. Everyone who knows what I have been through these past 3 years tells me I'm looking fantastic and they are proud of me for making the change.
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#26 Today I’m 6 Months Clean And I Couldn’t Be More Grateful

Side-by-side before and after photos showing recovery progress of a woman overcoming addiction and regaining control of her life.
Last November I woke up in the hospital after finding out I had endocarditis from using heroin and meth. The Doctors couldn’t believe I was still holding on. I wasn’t supposed to make it. By the grace of God I was given a second chance. After two months of being in the hospital I got to leave healthy with a new outlook on life.
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#27 More Than 3 Years Clean And Sober

Young man in hospital bed on ventilator and the same man later smiling with an older man showing recovery from addiction.
Recovery for me exemplifies the promises coming true. The gift of family, and honesty between all of us, is truly better than what my life was even before I picked up a drink or a drug.
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#28 My Husband And I Spent The First 15 Years Of Our Marriage In Chaos And Addiction

Before and after photos of people who took back control from addiction, showing their recovery and transformation.
We went our separate paths of recovery and reunited as one force once we became healthy again. We are now 3 1/2 years clean and living life to the fullest! I thank God everyday not only for my recovery but that we were able to beat all odds and do it together
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#29 9 Months Meth And Heroin Free

Before and after photos of a young man showing transformation and recovery from addiction, symbolizing taking back control.
I was strung out on meth and heroin. I had been getting high for 7 years and shooting up for about 4. I was running around with a gang. Not everyone believes in God, but I do now. He has done so much for me, I've only been out of these ministries for about 1 1/2 months and I've already begun working at a transitional home to help other people who need a place to stay and someone to believe in them. I want to thank God for saving me from the terrible shroud of darkness I was in, and showing me true happiness. If you or anyone you know is struggling with drug addiction here is proof it can be done!



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