Recovering from addiction requires numerous changes in your life. Some are easier than others, but all are necessary if you wish to sustain long-term sobriety.
One of the hardest things people in recovery experience is letting go of friendships that no longer serve them. For many in recovery, success means prioritizing sobriety over everything else in their life, including relationships with others.
If being around others who continue to use drugs or alcohol is triggering for you, you may need to end your relationships with people who use substances and form new, sober friendships in their place.
Toxic Friendships Hinder Recovery
First, it is crucial to understand why toxic friendships cannot be permitted to exist in recovery. Hanging around the very people who supplied you with drugs or alcohol, used with you, and continued to use despite you being in recovery, is a recipe for relapse.
You cannot put your recovery at risk for the sake of others’ feelings. Recovery means taking care of yourself and ensuring that you are surrounded by people that support your sobriety.
How to Let Go
Telling people you have known for years that your friendship needs to end is not an easy task. You may have known this person since you were children and experienced many firsts together. However, if they are toxic and pose a threat to your recovery, severing ties may be necessary.
When it comes to letting go of toxic friends, direct communication is the best way to ensure there are no misunderstandings that could lead to further problems down the road. When having the conversation, emphasize your new focus on sobriety and becoming a different person. If they wish to continue communicating and being in your life, they will need to respect your journey of sobriety and recovery.
Once you have had this conversation, it is best to avoid contact with the people and places you associate with your past life of addiction. Doing so will ensure you prevent triggers and relapse, allowing your recovery to flourish.
Recovery comes with many changes and adjustments to your life that are not always easy. However, realizing that these decisions are necessary and taking action to ensure your choices support recovery is a significant step. Letting go of toxic friendships in recovery is crucial to supporting lifelong sobriety. If you need guidance during this challenging time, Alta Loma Transformational Services is here to help. Men are provided professional treatment services tailored to fit their individual recovery needs at our Georgetown, TX facility. You can learn the necessities for recovery and more by calling (866) 457-3843.
