I went to rehab or detoxed but my friends are doing drugs around me, what should I do?
18 Answers
Last Updated: 05/28/2018 at 10:38pm
Moderated by
Graham Barrone, ICHP, MCBT
Counselor
Believing in and supporting you wholeheartedly, we cultivate gentle awareness for responsibility in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we foster growth, improve your
Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
November 11th, 2014 6:41am
It's really important in the beginning to stay away from all of the previous habits surrounding addiction. Sadly this means avoiding your friends or family who are still using. This applies to smoking and alcohol just as it does with hard and illegal drugs. Breaking addictions is a very long, difficult, and multifaceted process; everything will be working against your efforts. You may need to sideline your using friends until you build up your internal strengths.
Consider joining an AA type support group. They can be a new set of friends who are experiencing exactly what you are going through. You can never have too much support in getting over addictions, it's the hardest thing you will ever achieve in your life.
Anonymous
December 4th, 2014 1:32am
If your friends know that you are trying to live a different life, but persist in doing drugs around you, then perhaps the real question is whether they are really your friends? In recovery, it is often said that we have to change "people, places, and things" if we want to stay clean and sober. I know that staying away from friends is very tough, but for an addict, going back to the way things were will be even tougher in the long run. And there is no guarantee that you will be able to come back from a relapse. The door of recovery is always open, but it doesn't always swing both ways.
Cut off all contact forever and never look back. Two drowning people can't save each other. Save you
Try not to fall into it again. I know you might be tempted with your past experiences with the drugs, and the pressure of your friends doing them as well, may make it difficult. However, it may be more difficult to detox again. Try not to fall victim to the pressure, and do your best to stay strong. I hope this helps
Separating yourself from those friends would most likely be best! True friends would understand what you're going through, and respect that
Anonymous
May 28th, 2018 10:38pm
I would keep away from your friends when they do drugs and explain to them that you want to keep clean
Changing people, places, and things is a very very important part of recovery! You will need to get away from anybody or anything that has drugs or reminds you of drugs!
I would either:
a) Stop hanging around with them or stop being with them while they are doing drugs, this can be peer pressure.
b) Talk to them about your issue. Tell them that you've just been to rehab and would rather not be around it as you wouldn't like to have the temptation to start the drug again.
If they are good friends, they will understand your reasoning for you not being around them or talking to them about not doing it around you :) Hope all goes well.
Sometimes it's best to cut toxic people our of your life, maybe it's time to move on from that era in your life and make things better for yourself. I believe in you.
Take yourself from that environment. Its hard to let go of friends but sometimes its for the best. A real friend should know not to do drugs around you because it's not helping you.
I think you should distance yourself, this does not mean that you have to cut friendships, but let them know that you are there for them if they ever feel strong enough to give up drugs, and that they can turn to you for support as you have climbed that hill. Well done, giving up drugs is not easy. Keep up the good work.
Anonymous
June 7th, 2015 10:47pm
Congrats on detoxing! Thats a very hard thing to do. Even though its hard, sometimes we have to cut off people who are a bad influence on us. Or ask them to not when you are around?
You should remove yourself from the environment. True friends would respect your actions and want to be supportive.
If they are doing drugs and you're being tempted, just don't be around them so you would not fall again and relapse :).
Anonymous
December 16th, 2014 10:37pm
Call them , talk to them about the bad side effect of doing drugs, let them know its not good for them.
You can also refer them to a professional doctor who can give the best advice too.
Stay true to yourself! Tell your friends how they are making you feel. If you are completely uncomfortable with it, dont be afraid to let them know! You are strong and have stopped, dont make the mistake I made and relapse. Its not worth it! Keep your head up! Believe in yourself!
Anonymous
November 13th, 2014 4:53am
Tell them how uncomfortable you feel, you need to tell them how they are making you feel for them to stop
You should try and help them get better so you aren't tempted and have friends that are clean around.
Related Questions: I went to rehab or detoxed but my friends are doing drugs around me, what should I do?
What is considered substance abuse?Why should I stop drinking?Why do I feel depressed when I'm not smoking weed?How to trust someone again who has consistently lied?How can I stop drinking or taking drugs?How to use Amethyst for sobriety? I've heard people say they bathe with it. How is it to be used?Can you become phychotic from quitting drugs cold turkey? Particularily cocaine?I have no clue on how to handle even one of my emotions. Please any advice?How do I help someone I have a hard time relating to? How do I deal with the stigma of IV use when I need to use in public places?