Boundaries are an important part of any relationship, but for those who have finished rehab in an addiction recovery center, they are absolutely essential. Setting boundaries in addiction recovery can seem like a difficult process, but this needs to happen in order to preserve your own health and the health of your relationships.
What Are Boundaries?
Boundaries are rules that you set regarding the actions, responsibilities, and behavior that you are willing and unwilling to tolerate. Before entering rehab, your boundaries may have been unhealthy or perhaps nonexistent.
Examples of unhealthy boundaries are being unable to say no to your children or going against what you believe in because of the fear of rejection from a loved one. A healthy boundary is saying no when faced with the undesirable actions of another or placing your own values as a top priority even if someone else doesn’t agree with them.
Healthy boundaries protect you by keeping all of your relationships safe, supportive, and respectful of you. They also allow you to take responsibility for your words and actions, help you to learn how to say no, improve communication, and help you build self-respect.
Types of Boundaries
Following rehabilitation from substance abuse, external boundaries can be set with anyone: friends, family, coworkers, and your spouse or significant other. Internal boundaries are those you set with yourself. Boundaries can be set for your spiritual, emotional, and mental health, and also for your material possessions.
Ways to Set Boundaries
There are several methods you can use to set boundaries. First, you need to let others know about your own beliefs and values, as well as how you feel. Once you’ve defined and communicated these personal rights, you will feel empowered to assert them if and when this is needed.
Next, it’s important to communicate your limits to your loved ones. This will let them know how far they can go before their behavior becomes unacceptable to you. Even though you may have made everything clear to friends and family, there will be times when your boundaries will be disrespected.
Each time this happens, it will become important for you to speak up and assert yourself. In a polite yet firm way, make them aware that they have behaved in a way that’s unacceptable to you.
Finally, just as you have asked your loved ones to respect your boundaries, you must also respect theirs. Giving the respect you wish to be given to you will go a long way to rebuilding your relationships, including your relationship with yourself.
Need More Information on Boundaries and Addiction Recovery?
Boundary-setting may not be the easiest thing to do but, by doing so, you are saying yes to a new and healthy outlook on life. Even so, you may have more questions. Among the many services we offer are 1-on-1 and family counseling and aftercare programs. All can give you the information and tools you need to set healthy boundaries. Get more information by calling
888-224-7424.