If you had to name the entertainment powerhouse that has had the longest and deepest impact on American (even world) culture, there is an excellent chance that you would name Disney.
And if you had to name the entertainment powerhouse that has offered the most inspiration regarding recovery from a substance use disorder, there is an excellent chance that you would NOT name Disney.
In fact, it might be difficult to even consider how the House of Mouse might be related to recovery issues. After all, Disney is about joy. Substance use disorders decidedly are not.
But the fact is that various characters in classic Disney movies say some mighty inspiring things—many of those things really do apply to recovery from a substance use disorder. Let’s take a look at some of those inspiring quotes to see how they might provide ongoing encouragement for your recovery journey.
Stay Present in the Moment and Hopeful About the Future
To change the past is a big order, but you can change the future. – Timon, The Lion King
I never look back, darling. It distracts me from the now. – Edna, The Incredibles
It is all too easy to find yourself mired in regret in the early days of your recovery. You might well wish you could undo any number of the things you did and the negative consequences of those things.
But it is important to remember the past is just that: the past.
In recovery, staying in the present moment is important. Ruminating about the past is not helpful—and neither is worrying about the future. Instead, staying hopeful about the future while taking your recovery one day at a time can be a powerful way to keep drugs and alcohol firmly in your past.
Bravery Is a Centerpiece of Recovery
You don’t have time to be timid. You must be bold, daring. – Lumiere, Beauty and the Beast
There are those who say fate is something beyond our command. That destiny is not our own, but I know better. Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it. – Princess Merida, Brave
Pursuing treatment for a substance use disorder can be intimidating—even scary. It might also be frightening to imagine trying to live your life without the drugs or alcohol that you have come to depend on. That is why bravery is so important to recovery.
Finding the courage to get help and then to do the hard work of keeping your recovery going requires courage—courage that many a Disney character reminds us we all have access to.
You Can Remake Your Life—and the Result Can Be Beautiful
The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all. – The Emperor of China, Mulan
Let’s face it: A substance use disorder can take away most of the beauty in your life. As your health—both physical and mental—deteriorates, your relationships fray, and more, it might seem like only ugliness remains.
But here’s a key fact: People who get treatment for a substance use disorder can and do repair their lives and rewrite their own story into something quite beautiful, indeed.
The key is to not give in to despair. Instead, get the help you need to bring beauty back to your life.
You May Experience Setbacks, But You Can Always Try Again
Though at times is may feel like the sky is falling around you, never give up, for every day is a new day. – Chicken Little, Chicken Little
When life gets you down you know what you’ve gotta do? Just keep swimming. – Dory, Finding Nemo
Today is a good day to try. – Quasimodo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
It’s up to you how far you go. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. – Merlin, The Sword in the Stone
Sometimes you try your hardest, but things don’t work out the way you want them to. – Nani, Lilo & Stitch
Giving up is for rookies. – Philoctetes, Hercules
We offer a whole bunch of quotes here because we think each one reinforces an important point. Life—and recovery—can (and probably will) involve many setbacks, but none of those setbacks has to be the end of the story. With determination, you can get things headed in a positive direction once again. Even if you experience something as disheartening as a relapse, you can return to treatment and restart your recovery.
That is always worth remembering—especially when things seem impossibly challenging.
You Won’t Get Any Mickey Mouse Treatment at French Creek
French Creek Recovery Center—located in Meadville, Pennsylvania—is definitely not a theme park filled with laughter and colorfully costumed characters. But French Creek is absolutely a place where you can restart your life and reclaim your joy.
We provide medically supervised detoxification services, a rehabilitation program built around individual and group therapy, and a continuum of care designed to give you support and resources as your recovery journey gets underway.
If you are ready to leave drugs and alcohol behind, we are ready to help reach that goal.