We live in a culture that glorifies openness. You need to be always on, always available, and always willing to do the extra leg work. However, it's important to set certain limits to protect ourselves both physically and emotionally. And, these limits are more important than anything when it comes to addiction recovery.

Why People Struggling with Addiction Have a Difficult Time Setting Boundaries

It may not come as a surprise to learn that people fighting substance addiction usually have a difficult time establishing and respecting boundaries. But, what's the reason for this behavior?

While the reasons may vary from person to person, more often than not these people didn't have a primary caregiver able to model healthy boundaries. Whether they were overworking themselves or staying in abusive relationships, these parents weren't able to teach their kids when and how to set a limit on harmful behavior.

Of course, it can happen the other way around too. People who were raised by very strict parents who put too many limits may also have a difficult time setting healthy boundaries. The message that they were told their entire childhood is that they are not capable enough of independence and growth and need someone else to function properly. This can often lead to codependency.

How to Set Healthy Boundaries

If you've lived in a household where there were too many or no boundaries at all, the mere thought of setting a limit may feel intimidating. But, if you want to go through your recovery process successfully, then you need to learn how to express your emotions in a calm yet assertive manner and stand your ground even when those around you seem to disagree or be disappointed by your decision.

Here's how you can achieve that:

• Say No: Saying no can be especially hard as it can feel like you are letting those around you down. But, it's actually a sign that you are prioritizing yourself and your own needs.

• Avoid Temptations: Be honest with yourself. Can you go to a bar with your work colleagues and not have a drink? If the answer is no, then you should probably avoid temptations, especially in the early stages of recovery.

• Learn How to Communicate Your Emotions: It's natural to feel all sort of intense emotions in the first stages of recovery. To set healthy boundaries, you need to learn how to communicate these feelings effectively.

Setting limits may feel a bit odd at first. After all, you've been modeling your behavior all your life after the unhealthy boundaries you've seen in your early childhood. And, although it will take some time and a lot of practice, boundaries are essential in addiction recovery.

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