Now that you’re in recovery, it’s time to start thinking about the types of friends you’ll need going forward to help support your recovery. Friendships can be a vital part of your lasting sobriety, but the wrong friendships can also be a slippery slope back into using.
It’s important to realize that some former friends are better left alone – and this hold’s true no matter how long you’ve known them.
Developing new friendships and finding ways to make old friendships work with your new sober life can be a challenge. A good place to start is to look at your buddies now and be honest about how they add or detract from your life and recovery goals.
12 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Buddies
Here are some questions to help you make smarter choices about friendships during recovery.
Here are some questions to help you make smarter choices about friendships during recovery.
- Is he/she addiction-free? Hanging out with those who drink, use drugs, gamble, etc., will make sticking to your recovery that much harder.
- Has he/she questioned or supported your decision to get sober?
- Will he/she serve as a trigger in any way?
- Does this person threaten my sobriety in any way?
- How does this person make me feel?
- Does he/she take time to listen to my feelings, hopes, ideas, and concerns?
- Does he/she judge or blame me in any way?
- Is our friendship healthy? Or is it one-sided?
- Does he/she support my long-term recovery goals?
- Does being around this person make me a better person?
- What are our common interests? Do they support my recovery plan?
- Do I want this person around for my journey toward a better, sober life?
Start Living Sober
Hope Academy's sober living homes are safe, drug-and alcohol-free environments in which peers can support each other in their sobriety while beginning their new adventure toward collegiate success. To learn more, call today: 866-930-4673.
