Healthy relationships are an important part of recovery and this means learning to decipher the good ones from the bad ones. Toxic relationships can be harmful to your mental health and cause anger, depression and anxiety. Toxicity – whether in the form of demeaning language, physical or verbal abuse, deception or gossip – can challenge your sobriety. While most of us think of toxic relationships as those with romantic partners, relationships between friends, family members and even co-workers can spiral into toxicity and drain your emotional reserves. Red Flags of Toxicity If someone who claims to care about you routinely disregards your emotions, feelings and goals – or simply doesn’t take your best interests to heart – it can take a toll on your relationship, mental health and recovery. Learning to recognize some telltale signs of a toxic relationship can help you avoid toxic relationships and preserve your well-being and sobriety.

• Abuse: While physical abuse is perhaps the most obvious sign of a toxic relationship, verbal and psychological abuse (for example, if someone makes you feel worthless or always puts you down) is also a red flag.
• Narcissism: Narcissistic people often see others as beneath them and have a heightened sensitivity to criticism. They are also self-centered and have a sense of entitlement. These traits can take a major toll on your relationship, mental health and recovery.
• Manipulative behavior: A manipulative person won’t respect your boundaries or opinions and can try to take advantage of you by exploiting your weaknesses.

When It’s Time to Leave a Toxic Relationship It’s not easy and you may feel guilty but cutting ties with people who are toxic is an important part of recovery. Staying sober often means putting yourself and your sobriety first, and surrounding yourself with the right, supportive people is part of this process. Recovery Support at Spearhead Lodge Our program teaches clients to rely on the community of peers around them, so they always have that vital resource when they need it. To learn more about how we can help you get your life back on healthy path, call us today: 888-483-0528.