You will receive many rehab tips that are designed to help you succeed. One of the most helpful is how to set boundaries during treatment. You are setting out to make your life better, and there will be people who will fight you on this. You would think others would be pleased with your decision to seek substance abuse treatment, and those who truly care about you will be pleased. Unfortunately, many others who you thought were friends will feel threatened by this new resolve. They will do things to sabotage your efforts or try to make you feel that you are somehow betraying them by thinking of your own needs.
You must protect yourself by setting boundaries on what type of behaviors you will accept and what types you won’t. At Santé Center for Healing, we know that setting boundaries during treatment will give you a good foundation for continuing to set healthy boundaries for the rest of your life.
Know Your Limits
You can’t set boundaries if you don’t know exactly what you will tolerate. Take time to sit down and work out where your boundaries are. Ask yourself what kinds of actions make you uncomfortable. These are things you need to make sure others know you will not tolerate. When you know your limits, it is easier to let others know what those limits are.
Be Direct
This is not the time for candy-coating or speaking in riddles. Be direct about what your boundaries are. For example, if you don’t want someone around you to indulge, make it clear that there are no exceptions. There is no “little bit.” You don’t want them in your presence. Be specific and be direct. Don’t make others feel they have to guess.
Make Yourself a Priority
When setting your boundaries during treatment at a residential treatment program, you must focus first and foremost on your needs. Only when you are in a good place will you ever help someone else or be there for him. Don’t consider how your boundaries may make someone else angry or cause them an inconvenience. Now is the time to understand that your needs must be all you concentrate on, especially during the earliest stages. You aren’t telling others they have to have the same boundaries for others in their lives. What you are saying is, “This is what I need, and this is what I will tolerate.”
Be Assertive
People will test you. Some people will express anger and accuse you of being selfish or unreasonable. Others may act like they are a victim. Don’t allow these behaviors to cause you to waver. State your boundaries and let others know what will happen if they cross those boundaries. Don’t allow them to cross the boundaries even once without calling them out. Make sure they know what will happen if they continue to disrespect your wishes. Most importantly, carry through with what you say will happen.
Walk Away
The people who care about you will respect your boundaries. If someone continues to show you disrespect after they have been clearly informed of what you expect, don’t be afraid to walk away. In some cases, it may be only a temporary break but know that it could very well be permanent in others.
Santé Center For Healing
For those in Texas and the surrounding areas, Santé Center for Healing is here to help you learn more drug and alcohol rehab tips. When you reach out to us at 866.238.3154, we will evaluate your needs and help you design a treatment plan that is best suited for you. We will help you with setting boundaries during treatment and beyond. Don’t allow substance abuse or mental health issues to control your life another day. Reach out and allow us to help.
