It must take place sooner or later. Here’s a snide comment. There’s a sneer there. We are all aware of the advantages of healthy support throughout rehabilitation, but not everyone can offer it. And if it hasn’t happened already, you will come across someone who knows exactly the wrong thing to say at the wrong time at some point. Let’s look at some management options.
- Maintain reasonable expectations
Nobody will have the same level of interest in your rehabilitation as you do. That’s just the reality; it’s not meant to be cruel. Even though it seems like you’re struggling alone, you must respect, defend, and work for your journey. It’s your battle and you have to fight alone.
People won’t change just because you want them to, so don’t expect them to. That is unfair to everyone, and it will inevitably leave you feeling let down or resentful. Unrealistic expectations in relationships include things like:
- Believing that everyone must like you
- Believing that everyone will want to understand your addiction.
- Believing that people will instantly forgive you that you owe them an apology, that they can read your mind or understand your emotions, and that confrontation should never occur (or that it will be disastrous if it does).
You are free to set limits and preferences in your relationships. But when you expect too much from people, you often wind up hurting yourself. So, it’s advisable to limit your expectations from others to have a peaceful recovery process.
- Control and manage your interactions
Nobody in your life has to be in a relationship with you. You do have the ability to alter or discontinue a particular dynamic at any time. That being said, it’s frequently simpler to say than to execute!
It is helpful to define the boundaries you wish to set for this relationship if you are aware of someone’s lack of support. Can you restrict how frequently you visit them? What about prohibiting specific conversational subjects?
A predetermined plan of action should be in place in case the contacts turn poisonous. Perhaps you should inform the person right now. You might have to abandon the area altogether.
- Lean on the helpful individuals
Unsupportive people in your life might be balanced out by supportive people. Therefore, it’s crucial to preserve and foster a strong network. This network will keep you grounded and sane, and you can contact them for support when dealing with uncooperative individuals in your life.
Keep in mind that to make good friends, you must first be good at making them. If you want to receive compassion, empathy, and integrity in return, you must be willing to put those traits into practice in healthy relationships.
Foster the good relationships you have. Keep in touch. Send out periodic messages. Avoid making the relationship all about you because it will only make you your toxic buddy.
- Enjoy being alone
Healthy support is essential, but you should also give yourself the highest priority. Do you have a self-compassion practice? Do you be gentle to yourself, even when you screw up? Do you know how to use productive stress-reduction strategies when life gets too much?
Your responsibility for your health ultimately rests with you. Who will look after you if you can’t? How can you expect others to love and value you if you don’t?
In case you need assistance and support during the process of rehabilitation, you can click here to interact with the experts and clinical specialists that will provide you with all possible comfort to have a smooth journey towards sobriety.
