One of the most important things in recovery is creating healthy relationships and letting go of unhealthy ones. If you want to avoid relapse, you’ll want to take a long hard look at the relationships you keep.

Consider the people in your life. Are there those in your life that could potentially cause you to stumble? It could be people who are still using the substance you no longer use (especially if they plan to use in front of you) or it could be people that simply are bad for you, causing you feelings of anxiety or negativity.

You may need to part ways with some of the people you were friends with prior to entering recovery. It’s not an easy process but it can be good for your overall wellbeing.

There are others in your life that you may need to set boundaries with. Maybe it’s a family member or friend that you can spend some time within certain environments under certain conditions. You may just have to set up some ground rules. This could entail stating what you are comfortable with doing, what you’re not comfortable with and the places you don’t want to visit. You may also need to say no to people who sap your energy.

As you consider your relationships, which ones you need to part with and which ones you need to set boundaries with, also consider the relationships that are good for your journey. You may have sponsors or supportive loved ones that are rooting for you. These are the people that want to see you succeed and bring out the best in you. These are the relationships you want to invest in. You want to set aside time to try and grow these relationships. Having a good support system can help you avoid relapse and help you up if you do fall down.

When you’re on the recovery journey, you need to really evaluate who you spend time with. Choose to be around people who will help you on your journey instead of hindering your recovery. It helps you stay stronger as you walk this path.