If you’ve ever had a friend or family member who has struggled with drug addiction, you know that it is a truly terrible experience that affects not only the addict but all the people close to them.

The good news is some people can overcome their addictions and turn their lives around.

Which is exactly what these people did. I think these powerful photos will surprise you.

1. Look at the difference!

View this post on Instagram

I have 60 days clean from IV heroin, crack, meth, Suboxone, and all other substances. On the left was September 12th, on the right is me with my daughter this past Halloween 2019? #TheAddictsDiary #spiritualawakening #wedorecover #recovery #recoveringaddict #odaat #anxiety #depression #heroin #meth #cocaine #drugaddiction #mentalhealth

A post shared by The Addict’s Diary (@theaddictsdiary) on Nov 13, 2019 at 3:26pm PST

2. She’s now glowing!

so, we just gonna ignore the fact that kimberly "ain't nobody got time for that" wilkins overcame her drug addiction & is now glowing pic.twitter.com/eItzLdn0u8

— @corduroying (@corduroying) April 2, 2017

3. This is insane!

View this post on Instagram

8 months ago I overdosed and almost lost my life. The doctor said he didn’t know how I survived. I was in the ICU for 10 days and my face was partially paralyzed. I got out of the hospital and immediately started using again. Broken and beaten I eventually sought professional help, and after that I moved into a sober living. Today, I am 84 days sober. My face healed and my life has changed in so many ways. The journey hasn’t been perfect, but it definitely has been worth it. Show this picture to your family and friends. This is the end result of drugs. I am one of the lucky ones. #TheAddictsDiary #overdose #opiodcrisis #drug #drugaddiction #opiodcrisis #endopiateaddiction #recovery #newmexico #recoveringaddict #odaat #sponsor #aa #na #miracle #mentalhealthawareness

A post shared by The Addict’s Diary (@theaddictsdiary) on May 10, 2019 at 6:46am PDT

4. Wasn’t supposed to make it!

View this post on Instagram

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. Today I’m 6 months clean and I couldn’t be more grateful. -Ashtyn 20 y/o #TheAddictsDiary #heroin #meth #recovery #relapseprevention #odaat #miracle #recoveringaddict #drugaddiction #mentalhealthawareness

A post shared by The Addict’s Diary (@theaddictsdiary) on May 13, 2019 at 8:11am PDT

5. Great job!

What 5 Years Clean From Heroin Looks Like. from pics

6. Anything is possible!

View this post on Instagram

It started with pills, mainly percocet when I was 21. I was really sick one day and a friend gave me heroin. I started shooting it at 24. I tried meth for the first time at 25. I was shooting them both in no time. Over the next 3 years I overdosed 8 times. If I wasn't homeless, I was living at a trap house with no electricity or running water with a 61 year old man who was on disability & sold meth. In and out of jail constantly for possession, identity theft etc. I used needles I found in the bottom of a shopping cart full of trash. I didn't care. I was 100 lbs. I hated myself and I truly wanted to die. I went to prison. I did 15 1/2 months on 18. I got clean. I'm 30 years old now, I've been clean for 2 years & 8 months & I have a 6 and a half month old baby girl, and a great fiance. Finally, as I lay here breastfeeding my beautiful baby I can say I love myself and I enjoy life now without heroin or meth. Anything is possible, don't give up. Do anything. Just don't ever give up. #TheAddictsDiary #recovery #prayer #anxiety #meth #crystalmeth #arrest #mugshot #comebackstory #hope #faith #aa #na #miracle #sober #odaat

A post shared by The Addict’s Diary (@theaddictsdiary) on Jul 16, 2019 at 6:37am PDT

7. Overcame all of it!

This is me in Dec 1995. This is me in Dec 2017. I overcame addiction, homelessness, and a history of incarceration. Been sober 20 years next month. from pics

8. Stay clean!

As of today, I am 4 years clean from drugs. I have a career, a house, a dog, and a fiancé. It was a struggle but it is definitely worth it. Stay Strong! from pics

9. From pain to joy!

View this post on Instagram

Today: The Big ONE YEAR? I was one of those addicts that nobody believed would get clean. It’s beyond me that I am sitting here today, laying out at a pool mind you, with a YEAR! a year without a sip, a hit, a pill, a puff, nothing. Absolutely nothing. To be honest, I didn’t think I could do it, the amount of times I’ve been done or scared out of my mind.. but I’ve stayed clean knowing nothing will get better if I picked up. Through the support of so many, my program, and my spiritual practice I am here. The photos show a glimpse of the journey. Of the pain, to the joy I get to experience today. #narcoticsanonymous #narecovery #drugaddiction #drugaddicts #wedorecover #heroinaddict

A post shared by ?ᴴᴵᴳᴴᵂᴬᵞ ᵀᴼ ᴱᴸᴸᴱ? (@elle_avated) on Aug 11, 2019 at 3:28pm PDT

10. Lucky to be here!

View this post on Instagram

The picture on the left is when I overdosed from shooting fentanyl. I had a heart attack in an Applebee’s bathroom. I spent six weeks in the hospital after that. Two weeks in a coma, two weeks learning how to walk again, and two weeks in the psych ward because of how suicidal I was. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I still used again after that. One day I just couldn’t take it anymore. I called a friend who I knew was sober and told him I was willing to do ANYTHING. My friend took me through the 12 steps and I changed my life. For anyone out there who is hopeless, look at me. On August 9th I celebrated one year clean. #TheAddictsDiary

A post shared by The Addict’s Diary (@theaddictsdiary) on Aug 18, 2019 at 9:12am PDT

11. It’s a wonderful life!

My mugshot from two years ago following a massive PCP/benzo overdose and before homelessness and a trip to prison. I’m now two years sober, living a wonderful life and happier than I ever thought I’d be! from happy

12. Don’t look back!

View this post on Instagram

Let’s hear it for @raechelmarie17 ?? “By the grace of God…I’ve made it 4 years. My past made me who I am but I’m never looking back. This mugshot was a painful reminder of despair. Anyone struggling, please know it only gets better! Life is a gift don’t waste it!” #soberlife #sobriety #recovery #recoverystories #sobermovement #soberissexy #partysober #cleanandsober #odaat #onedayatatime #behappywithyourself #behappy #courage #hope #inspiration #inspire #soberaf #support #addictionrecovery #bethechange #wedorecover #sobersince #transformation #beforeandafter #beforeandafterphoto #skab365 #recoverycommunity

A post shared by Trevor Skrocki (@skab_365) on Oct 8, 2018 at 11:47am PDT

13. Keep it up!

6 years clean

14. A whole new person!

7 months alcohol and heroin free. from pics

15. A beautiful woman!

View this post on Instagram

#drugaddiction #hope #theaddictsdiary #recovery

A post shared by The Addict’s Diary (@theaddictsdiary) on Apr 24, 2019 at 8:57am PDT

Those photos are very painful but they are a powerful reminder of how easy it is for everyday people to get hooked on drugs.

Kudos to all of these folks for kicking their habits, because it is a very difficult thing to do!