I am in recovery from opiate addiction and I would like a tattoo to symbolize that any suggestions?

Question

I have been hurting myself with disease of addiction for many years and now I am in recovery and I love being in recovery . Although I will ALWAYS be an addict I would like to get a tattoo to symbolize that because I will always be able to remind myself how weak I really am and just like the tattoo itself I will always be carrying that around. Any suggestions

Answer 1

My suggestion is - don't carry it around with a tattoo which might, instead, remind you of the addiction, rather than the recovery.

Answer 2

How about a beautiful butterfly with its wings spread out, standing on the upturned curved tail of a scorpion - part of the butterfly's body and wing can be over the area that would be where the sting in the scorpion's tail would be .... the scorpion could be black with blue highlights (symbolizing the dark and despair) and the butterfly could be set in red (a colour for strength), yellow (a colour for light and sun) and turquoise blue (a colour for the equalising and balance of the mind and body) - together symbolizing the rainbow colours of rebirth.....

Answer 3

Maybe a broken chain to symbolize that you broke free of your addiction, sorry if that's cheesy.

Answer 4

Think are about branding yourself with the past.  I'd go with something positive and strengthening for the future.  It can serve as an equal reminder since you would not put it there if you had not had your history.  It also will be much healthier and hope filled symbol.  

Answer 5

"Taking back my freedom, one day at a time"

Answer 6

How about a beautiful Phoenix? Wikipedia says:

"The phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs <b>that it then ignites</b>; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which <b>a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises</b>. The new phoenix is destined to live, usually, as long as the old one. The bird <b>was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded</b> by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — a symbol of fire and divinity."

Since it builds its own next that it burns down, it can be a symbol of the choices you made - the bad choices you made that "burned" you and could have killed you. Also, a new, young phoenix rising shows the vulnerability of a person new in recovery - that feeling of being uncertain, of having to deal with raw emotions without the aid of a drug - the learning how to cope without that crutch. Finally, the fact that it regenerates is is ultimately strong can represent the fact that even though you "burned" you are rebuilding yourself and you aim to become stronger now than before.

Great job and congratulations!!

Answer 7

Bee Jee and Gotta Luv are right.  Go with something focusing on the recovery, not the addiction.  

Get an ACORN.  It's a symbol for strength.  It would look pretty awesome with some good shading on the round part and texture on the cap.

It would be a lot more original than a butterfly, chains or a phoenix.

Answer 8

I know where you are at! I celebrated my 3rd year clean with a Tat (gift from a sponsee) that still symbolizes my freedom.

it doesn't matter what you get, or where you put it on your body-it will always have deep significance for you. Personally, mine is a cross. I have a friend who got a monkey tat on his shoulder, & another who got a broken chain (as suggested by another response).

I suppose you will know when you find the right one!

congrats!