How a person changes after overcoming addiction: 25 “before and after” pictures (26 photos)

It is extremely difficult to get out of the swamp of drug addiction or alcoholism. But some people find the courage and strength to turn this black page and start life from scratch. These photos prove that addictions are not a death sentence. And all difficulties can be overcome with the right attitude and support.





1. “I’ve been sober for 19 months and am finally starting to see the beauty in life again. I hope this will inspire other people with the same problem."



2. “I was a drug addict for more than 10 years, but my son came into this world with a sober father.”



3. “A year of sobriety and minus 37 kg of weight”



4. “I just celebrated my five-year anniversary of coming clean. My last photo from the police station and the photo taken today, 5 years apart. I hope this inspires someone."



5. “Left: January 2020, right: October 2023.” Now I'm 31 years old and sober."



“After 17 years of daily drug abuse, this transformation is one of my greatest achievements. In the darkness, I found a new sense of self-worth. The radiance I now emit is not just noticeable, but tangible. Forgotten happiness was replaced by a deep dependence on pride and self-love.”

6. “While I was addicted, I lost almost all my teeth, it’s just terrible. Almost 2 years have passed since I quit drugs. I now have a fuller face and a new puppy. And I also met the love of my life!”



7. “I haven’t drunk alcohol for a year now. I never thought I'd be able to post this. But it is so! Life isn't perfect, but it's much better now."



8. “From 90 kg to 48 kg in 3 years. The fat drunk girl is now sober and getting her body in order."



9. "Six Years of Sobriety"



10. “I’ve been sober and drug-free for 4 months now. Every day I wake up, I am grateful that I will never have to be sick again. Thanks to my family, the rehabilitation center and everyone else"



11. “90 days of sobriety. 90 days since I experienced cardiac arrest. 90 days since I caught pneumonia. But... 90 days since I took the opportunity to start my life from scratch."



“The left photo is when I left the hospital, and the right one is today. With love to everyone."

12. “Today is 5 years since I stopped drinking. The recovery program is working. In my darkest hours, I was inspired by before and after photos like these. And here is my contribution"



13. “On the left is a photograph from those times when I couldn’t live even two days without alcohol. On the right is me after two years of sobriety. IM proud of myself"



14. “Today marks 45 days of sobriety.”



15. “2.5 years of sobriety. Until I was 23, I had neither a legal job nor documents. I'm 25 now and I'll never look back."



16. “One year of complete sobriety”



17. “A lot has changed in my life over the past year. I didn't realize how much sobriety helped my skin until I looked at old photos. February 2020 and today"



18. “Alcoholism and sobriety. Today I celebrate 1000 days without alcohol. The rehabilitation center saved my life"



19. “I’ve been clean for four years now.”



20. “On the left is a drug addict committing crimes left and right. On the right - 9 months of sobriety and no more problems"



21. “2 years of sobriety and recovery from anorexia. 4 years passed between photos - it was a long way."



“When I look at old photos, I hardly recognize that crazy sad girl, but I feel for her.”

22. “Getting sober is difficult and sometimes uncomfortable. But it gave me my life back."



“I used to look forward to finally getting drunk. I was so uncomfortable in my own skin that I only felt ‘good’ when I was partying.”

23. “Just to remind myself that I will never start drinking again! Three months of sobriety already.”



24. “Five years of sobriety”



25. “6 months of sobriety and minus 16 kg of weight. I finally feel like myself again."