Avoiding Toxic Relationships in Recovery

While maintaining relationships in recovery is important, not all types of relationships are conducive to a sober lifestyle. In fact, negative relationships can do a lot more damage than we think.  

Toxic Relationships and Drug Addiction 

Recovering from addiction comes with a lot of challenges and hardships. Deciding to get the help you need to overcome any addiction will completely change your life and save you. Once you have completed drug or alcohol addiction treatment, it is now time to transition back into everyday life with your sacred sobriety. During this time, you have to reassess the people you’re closest to and the relationships you have in your life. Are they positive, or are they negative? We’re sharing more on avoiding toxic relationships in recovery and how they can make a difference.  

Warning Signs of a Toxic Relationship 

During recovery, you are going to go through a lot of change, and it’s important to know how to identify toxicity in your new way of life. If you feel that someone close to you is manipulating you or constantly bringing drama to your life, this is toxicity, and it should not be mixed in with your recovery efforts.  

If you have a friend who only thinks about themselves and/or puts you in uncomfortable situations, this is not someone to associate with in recovery. You can also identify negative relationships by how you feel when you are around this person. If you feel insecure or controlled, these are clear indications that this is not a supportive friend. 

Other common warning signs of toxic relationships include:  

• Everything is about them  
• They’re jealous or controlling 
• They don’t respect your boundaries 
• They isolate you from loved ones  
• They’re manipulative  
• They often expect you to do things their way 
• They don’t consider your feelings when making important decisions 
• You feel trapped in your relationship 
• You feel like you can’t live without them 

Remember that any relationship can be toxic, not just romantic ones. Not only is it important to disconnect from people who encouraged your drug use or drinking before treatment, but also to break relationships that may pressure you or stress you out to the point of relapse.  

Toxic Relationships and Drug Addiction Recovery  

Negative influences on your life can bring about stress that will only cause destruction and potential relapse, and enduring a toxic relationship in recovery can cause emotional turmoil. This can be very dangerous for your overall health and wellbeing when you are new to recovery.   

While it may be difficult, avoiding toxic relationships in recovery – and breaking even the longest of relationships – can contribute greatly to your long-term sobriety. Remember that the habits and behaviors of those we spend the most time with greatly impact us, and spending time with someone who’s constantly shutting you down, disrespecting your boundaries, or simply treating you poorly will take its toll.  

If you feel “stuck” in a bad relationship or need guidance for getting out of it, our Christian residential drug rehab can help out with toxic relationship recovery. Our facility not only offers addiction treatment, but we also offer individual faith counseling to offer clients a spiritual perspective on managing relationships with others.  

While we encourage you to prune your life of negative relationships, we understand that guidance can help diminish the stress and discomfort that comes with the process. For more information about our Christian-based recovery programs, call Faith in Recovery today at 888-280-4763.