The Alcoholics Anonymous symbol also looks like (and is) composed of a triangle within a circle. In addition, they send a message of hope to others in the recovery community. These symbols often serve as a way for individuals to support others in their struggle against addiction and show them that they do not have to walk the path to recovery alone. There are also ways in which a recovery symbol can be used as more than just a means of encouraging those struggling with addiction.

Finally, it is important to consider the artist’s willingness and ability to work with your specific design. However, getting professional addiction treatment help is critical to successfully becoming sober. Furthermore, for many people, even a few words or a singular symbol can give them the boost they need to make it through particularly difficult periods in their recovery journey. This is especially true for people who may not have solid support systems in place. A few tattoos, or even many tattoos, can be normal, especially for those navigating the struggles of recovery.

Getting a Sobriety Tattoo? Some Things to Keep in Mind:

Some sober tattoos can be removed with laser surgery, while others may need to be partially or completely removed. Recovery symbols can help people still struggling with addiction by reminding them that they aren’t alone in their fight against addiction. The recovery symbol is an important reminder that many others are also going through this experience and will be there for them during their journey of recovery.

My two younger brothers’ birth flowers are on the right, a chrysanthemum and a hawthorn, for November and May. For me, it symbolizes that life is a cycle — up and down, black and white, order and chaos — but that good men will step forth to meet the challenge and make that crossing.” The reason why the hawk and snake are fighting is because the things that make you great are always in conflict with the things that make you human. Each of us has unlimited potential, but we are judged by trivial things like our skin color, gender, or who we choose to love and/or worship. [The tattoo is a reminder of] this depressing conflict within a person trying to function in society.” A recovering alcoholic, Curtis has been sober for seven years and six months.

Meaningful Sobriety Tattoos

Generally, smaller tattoos tend to cost less than larger ones, while more intricate designs will be more expensive. The cost can also vary by artist, so it’s important to do your research and find an experienced tattoo artist who is familiar with sobriety tattoos. Here, a group of people share the difficulties they have faced with their alcohol problem in front of a group accompanied by a moderator.

Before you go walking into your local tattoo parlor, it’s worth taking some time to weigh the pros and cons of this long-lasting decision. Though tattoos themselves are losing their stigma and can be found on people from virtually any age group or walk of life, recovery is unfortunately still largely stigmatized. For years, Michael struggled with depression, though he never sought treatment for it. “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 model in my life.”

Unique Sobriety Tattoos for Guys

For starters, many people may choose to get the exact time and date they began their sobriety permanently inked on their body. For many individuals who have or are actively overcoming addiction, this recovery process can be extremely difficult. Sobriety tattoos can help ease this struggle, through serving as a permanent badge of a person’s determination to become sober and achieve a more stable life. As a global society, we don’t discuss the therapeutic implications of tattoos enough.

In terms of sobriety, the Yang symbol may represent the balance sought between the tough times of addiction (the darker side) and the journey toward a sober life (the lighter side). The lotus flower serves as a reminder of the individual’s journey to recovery and the pursuit of inner peace and spiritual growth. Semicolon tattoos carry a unique message of resilience and hope in the face of mental illness and addiction. The punctuation mark is used in sentences that do not end but continue on a different angle.

In ancient folk tales, the phoenix was a bird that, upon its death, would burst into flames. But, after this initial passing, the bird would then be reborn from its ashes. Remember, impulsivity is a hallmark of addiction – exactly the kind sobriety tattoos of behavior you’re in recovery to learn to control. Take your time and make sure you really want what you’re getting; make sure you have the budget for quality work and that getting this piece isn’t disruptive to your financial planning.

• This is a progressive tattoo that will build as you move forward, similar to the coins that can be earned for Alcoholics Anonymous .
• For those who have lost someone to addiction, tattoos can offer a means of remembrance and tribute.
• 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.
• There are several factors that can go into determining what kind of addiction recovery methods will work best for you.
• 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.

If living with permanent geometric shapes is not okay with you, you can hold these symbols in other ways. You can have a sobriety coin or card or wear these symbols in other ways, such as jewelry or enamel pins. The latter also makes the best gifts for the recovering addict in your life.

That’s really the only limit to how much skin you can cover with your recovery tattoo. For example, some people might choose to make their recovery tattoo into a large work, adding to the tattoo with each passing year. While it is most common to get the whole serenity prayer inked on one’s body, some people may choose to highlight a few keywords to make it more personal or less of a larger piece. Of course, there are some downfalls with getting a sobriety tattoo that an individual may want to keep in mind.