Recovery and the Importance of Setting Boundaries

It is important to set boundaries for yourself and others to maintain recovery upon leaving treatment. These boundaries are essential for enforcing self-discipline with yourself and cutting ties to the people from your past who were toxic or enabled substance use. Lack of boundaries can often be what causes substance use disorder (SUD) to spiral. Hanging around people who are always up for trying anything and everything can put you in a situation that can threaten your life.

For those in recovery, creating boundaries is a way to help loved ones understand what does and does not help you along your journey. Whatever the reasoning behind setting them, they can help you to return to living a life free of active addiction and allow you to cultivate healthy relationships with new people or individuals with whom you are already acquainted. 

Suppose setting boundaries is something you have severely struggled with in the past and fear you will continue to in the future. In that case, the relapse prevention program at The Lakehouse Recovery Center can teach you how to set those boundaries.

Different Types of Boundaries

Boundaries are crucial in every aspect of your life, not just recovery. You set them at work to keep peers or superiors from taking advantage because you respect yourself enough not to let work negatively affect your physical and mental health. You also set boundaries with members of your families because they, more than anyone, know just how to unintentionally push your buttons. 

Creating boundaries helps avoid tension, fallouts, and makes time spent together more enjoyable. When in triggering situations, it can be useful to ask yourself; what kinds of boundaries are best for you to implement?

Relationships are often more successful when physical, mental, and emotional boundaries are established. It sets the precedent that your space and privacy are invaluable, that you have the right to keep specific thoughts and feelings to yourself, and that you are entitled to feel what you are feeling—even if others do not understand those feelings. 

Emotional boundaries can be particularly helpful in preventing situations of abuse within a relationship. Cutting certain people out of your life post-treatment can seem cold, but if they are people who enabled your substance use, then you must do so for your recovery.

Setting Boundaries for Yourself and Recovery

Addiction can be a very isolating disorder, but there are instances when alone time is critical. Setting boundaries for your family and friends is necessary to ensure time for self-reflection. Ultimately, you set them because you have limits for what you can handle emotionally and physically. As mentioned, boundaries should be implemented immediately when abuse, violence, or other toxic factors are involved. No matter the case, you must set them for yourself and have the self-discipline to follow through.

One example of setting boundaries for yourself is to rid your life of temptations you can control. That means if there was a supply of substances hidden before entering treatment, get rid of them immediately. Ask a close friend or relative to do it so that you do not have to face any temptations. You may also decide it is best to relocate geographically. If you are in a community surrounded by substance use, you may need to do whatever it takes to leave that specific area.

Tools for Setting Boundaries Successfully

Setting boundaries essentially comes in two parts: determining your boundaries and communicating them. Communication is vital throughout your recovery. During your time at The Lakehouse Recovery Center, you will have the opportunity to self-reflect on things that will help you to be successful in your recovery. You will be able to undertake this process effectively during our relapse prevention program. 

With the help of our therapists and case managers, you will get the chance to focus on your goals for recovery, in turn helping you to determine the boundaries you hope to implement. The process of getting reacquainted with who you are and what you want should be accomplished in a safe space, which we at The Lakehouse are confident we can provide you.

If you or someone you love is at a crossroads in recovery and needs to create boundaries, remember that entering treatment is a season of transition. Transitions come with a learning curve, and relapse prevention programs are the perfect teaching tools. Healthy boundaries help people in recovery regain control of their lives. They lead to more beneficial relationships, choices, and a life that you will end up being proud to live. 

Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining emotional and psychological well-being. They, in particular, are imperative in recovery. Not only do you need to set boundaries with others, but you need to set them for yourself as well. This means cutting ties with people who enabled or supported substance use pre-treatment, ridding your environment of triggers that threaten your recovery, and setting aside time to focus on yourself through self-reflection, support groups, or continuous engagement with your support network. During a relapse prevention program with The Lakehouse Recovery Center, you will learn the tools needed to set boundaries and be given the time to self-reflect on what those boundaries are. As you choose to recover, a goal is to communicate and implement those boundaries effectively and, more importantly, have the discipline to follow through. To seek treatment and learn how you can effectively set boundaries for your recovery, call (877) 762-3707 today.