One of the more challenging aspects of going through recovery is letting go of negative friendships. Though this transition can be difficult, finding friends that are healthy for you to spend time with will ultimately be a resounding benefit to your life. Strong and healthy friendships can aid you on your journey of recovery by providing you with a source of both joy and support.
Although it is difficult, it is important to remember that it is okay to break away from friendships that no longer serve you in a positive way. Taking the steps to forego friendships that are ultimately a detriment to your life and journey of recovery can benefit your life in many ways. For those who are recovering, especially those new to the process, knowing exactly what to look for in friendships can be tricky. Luckily, the process of finding healthy friendships during recovery becomes exponentially easier when you know what boxes to check. Here are a few things to look for when trying to figure out if your friendships are healthy during recovery.
#1: Your Friends Should Support Your Recovery
Holding onto friends that do not support your recovery can have disastrous results that ultimately harm your state of wellbeing and your progress in recovery. Though it is sometimes difficult to let go of long-lasting friendships, friends who do not support your recovery will ultimately hinder you from maintaining a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
While in recovery, your friends should be overwhelmingly supportive of the process and should also encourage you to be involved in recovery-related activities. For example, if you cannot hang out with your friends because of recovery-related meetings, they should meet that with understanding rather than frustration. If you find that some of your friends find a problem with you being in recovery, it might be time to cut ties with these unhealthy friends.
Healthy friends will encourage you to stay steadfast in your recovery and support you every step of the way. Having friends who support your process of recovery is ultimately a vital part of maintaining a healthy and substance-free lifestyle. Friends might even be interested in attending open support group meetings with you. Attending open meetings can help develop a greater understanding of what you are going through.
#2: Your Friends Should Understand You
If you find that you constantly feel misunderstood by certain friends, it may be time to part ways. Having friends that understand you can help you feel supported and loved during your journey of recovery. Knowing that you have friends in your corner who root for your success can help strengthen your resolve during recovery. If your friends understand you, you should be able to forge a closer bond that ultimately benefits your life healthily and positively.
Feeling understood is an essential aspect of feeling happy and worthy. If you feel as if you constantly have to explain yourself and your decisions to your friends, it is likely that you are engaging in a harmful and unhealthy form of friendship. Being able to be yourself and not feel judged is a hallmark of strong and healthy friendships. Stop feeling like you have to defend your decisions, and instead invest your time into friendships with people who understand and support you.
#3: Your Friends Should Make You Want To Be Your Best Self
Your friends should inspire you to want to be your best self. If you find that you feel compelled to engage in unhealthy behaviors just to appease your friends, it is time you leave those friendships behind. Your friends should inspire and encourage you to push yourself to be the best that you can be. Having people around you that encourage you to make good decisions can have an overwhelmingly positive impact on your life. Look for people with lives that you see as admirable, and invest your time and energy into cultivating friendships with these people.
The old maxim, “you are who your friends are,” is even more true when one is in recovery. While recovering, it is important to spend time around people who engage in healthy behaviors and strive to better themselves. The more time you spend with these types of people, the more you should feel compelled to better yourself. Rather than allowing friends to pull you down, try to seek friendships that bring out the best in you.
It is important to make sure that you are engaging in healthy friendships while undergoing recovery. Unhealthy friendships can interfere with your emotions, wellbeing, and even your process of recovery. Make sure that your friends support your process of recovery rather than hinder it. Make sure your friends understand you and don’t make you feel obligated to constantly explain or justify your actions and decisions to them. Make sure that your friends bring out the best in you and inspire you to live a healthy lifestyle. If you are looking for friendship and support on your journey of recovery in the Utah area, look no further than Renaissance Ranch. With treatment revolving around the 12-Step program and LDS faith-based principles, we at Renaissance Ranch are here to guide and support you on your journey of finding health, recovery, and spiritual wellbeing. With programs ranging from alumni retreats to family recovery treatment, you are sure to find the support that suits your individual needs at Renaissance Ranch. For more information, call us today at (801) 308-8898.