Should I Cut Relationships While In Recovery?
- Rx Media
- May 8
- 4 min read
Updated: May 9
Recovery isn’t just about quitting drugs or alcohol. It’s about creating a life that supports your peace and emotional well-being. As you reflect on the people in your life, you might find yourself questioning whether certain relationships in recovery are helping or hurting your progress. It’s not easy to consider letting go of connections, and it can feel overwhelming. But the reality is, some relationships may be holding you back from the growth and healing you deserve.
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into building healthy relationships in recovery, assessing your platonic and romantic relationships in recovery, and how you can seek drug rehab for young adults for support.
Why Relationships Matter In Recovery
Relationships play a big role in your recovery. The people you surround yourself with can either help you stay accountable, or pull you back into your self-destructive behaviors.
For instance, someone you care about may unknowingly trigger your cravings or remind you of painful memories. This can be true even for well-meaning friends who struggle to understand what you’re going through. It may also hinder your recovery if you’re surrounded by friends who still use substances, pressure you, or dismiss your progress.
Signs A Relationship Might Be Harmful To Recovery
Not all relationships are meant to last, and that’s okay. Here are a few signs you can look out for to tell if you need to cut off some relationships in recovery:
Lack Of Support
One of the biggest red flags in a relationship? Constantly pressuring you to return to substance use. If a friend keeps inviting you to drink or take a hit despite knowing you’re in recovery, that’s a pretty good sign that they’re sabotaging your progress–not supporting it.
However, the signs aren’t always this alarming. Another sign that there’s a lack of support is when they brush off your sobriety or make jokes about it.
Toxic Dynamics
Toxic dynamics come in different forms. This can look like a friend guilt-tripping you when you reject all their invites to parties, or shaming you for being in recovery in the first place. Whichever it is, even if it’s just being a little too vocal towards your treatment plan, then it’s a good sign that these relationships are only harming your progress.
Interference With Treatment Goals
If a loved one downplays therapy, discourages support groups, or shows up uninvited to your sessions, then they may be interfering with your treatment goals.
What About Romantic Relationships In Recovery?
First thing first: romantic relationships in recovery are complicated. Connection is a beautiful thing, but it can be risky if this means you’re falling behind in treatment.
This is especially the case during early recovery. While getting ready for dates, you’re also juggling the deeper work of learning how to cope, express your emotions, and set healthy boundaries with others, all at the same time. New relationships can stir up intense feelings, and after a string of arguments or emotional ups and downs, you may find yourself more vulnerable to stress or even relapse.
On the other hand, if you were already in a relationship before you entered recovery, you and your partner need to communicate much more. Practice having more honest conversations, clear boundaries, and a shared commitment to your recovery.
How To Build Healthy Relationships In Recovery
Evaluating and managing relationships in recovery can be challenging. You may have been accustomed to toxic dynamics, so “healthy” can be different to spot. Sometimes, you may not even be sure if you’re deserving of supportive relationships.
But the clear answer is that you are! It may take a while to build these mutually respectful relationships, but here are some tips to help you get started:
Communicate. Practice honest communication about your needs and boundaries. Let them know that “no alcohol” is non-negotiable, or that you may need extra support.
Spot red flags. Learn to recognize people that constantly disrespect your boundaries, minimize your experiences, or make you feel guilty.
Therapy and counseling. Attend sessions to identify your triggers and patterns, and assess what “healthy” relationships look like for you.
How Drug Rehab For Young Adults Supports Emotional Growth
Cutting off relationships in recovery can be frightening. You may be scared that you’ll never have friends again, or that your actions may be largely misunderstood. After all, recovery on its own can already feel isolating.
The good news? You don’t have to figure out all of this alone, and your relationships can still thrive with the right support.
Emotional Healing
Emotional healing is one of the most vital parts of drug rehab centers for young adults. Apart from helping you explore what led you to substance use in the first place, these programs will address how you ended up in these toxic relationships. Whether it’s trauma from family history, stress from complicated friendships, or poor self-esteem, rehab can help you understand the red flags, reasons it’s hard to walk away, and how healthier relationships further your recovery.
Life Skills
Life after rehab is more than making sure you don’t reach for another drink again. Treatment will teach you how to clearly express your boundaries and how you can enforce them without guilt. Moreover, you’ll learn how to speak up for yourself with honesty and confidence so you can start and end relationships in recovery respectfully. During your time in rehab, you’ll also pick up a few fun and healthy hobbies such as mindfulness, arts and crafts, and exercise to help you manage emotions such as fear, guilt, and sadness during sobriety.
Safe Environment
Drug rehab centers for young adults in Portland, Oregon provide you with a safe and judgment-free environment where you can heal and learn to enjoy life without substances. You’ll be surrounded by fellow young adults who understand what you’re going through, and know how to nurture self-care and young adult mental health. Within the four walls of these recovery centers, you won’t have to worry about shame and backlash.
Conclusion
Recovery is all about creating a life where you feel safe, supported, and emotionally grounded. It’s a long road, and the process will inevitably involve cutting off some relationships in recovery. It will be difficult to walk away, but understanding why you should do this, how to do it respectfully, and how to start healthier relationships can be life-changing.
Looking for guidance on how to build stronger and healthier relationships with the ones you care about? Contact us at Cielo Treatment Center today, and let’s talk about it!
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