Friendship is one of the most critical elements to developing your mental and emotional well-being. Yet, many people struggling with a substance use disorder often find it challenging to define friendship or believe that quality friendships exist. Fortunately, surrounding yourself with a solid support network and quality friendships can enrich your life and make all the difference in your recovery journey. So what qualities should you look for in companions when you are in treatment or if you chose a life of abstinence?
Qualities to Look For in Friendships
There are many qualities of a good friend, and equally important, certain traits lead to mutual understanding where the connection between you and a friend can hold for the rest of your life. Among the qualities of a good friend, honesty and transparency top the charts.
When you are looking for an enriching friendship, establishing trust right at the beginning and being straightforward is key to sustaining the friendship long-term. Forming the bonds of a true friendship is not all candy and cupcakes. A genuine friendship requires acceptance of the individual. When creating friendships in recovery, accepting others for who they are says a lot about you and can reveal insights about yourself.
When looking to make a friendship that will last and deepen over time, the ability to reconnect after time apart as if no time has passed and without judgment indicates a true friendship. If you build your loyalty to your friend and respect them, the re-connection after a time apart will be easy and valuable.
Other qualities to look for in friendships can include:
- Kindness and love
- Honesty and respect
- Support and encouragement
- Protection
- Comfort
- Confident and genuine
- Nonjudgmental
- Empathetic
Core Values of Friendship in Recovery
When you are forming or strengthening a friendship, building that friendship around shared core values will make it more likely that the friendship will endure. In recovery, having the support of others around you in good times and bad can provide you with unconditional, positive insight into your life. Furthermore, when developing a friendship, seeking out the qualities that you value upfront will increase the likelihood of sustaining a close connection for a lifetime. Friendships are more likely when you share your story with others because others may relate to you and love and accept you as you are. Often, a good-quality friendship allows you to discuss goals, dreams, and ambitions. A companion with shared values can help you stay accountable and let you shine your light on others.
At The Guest House, we understand that everyone has different relationships, and we strive to bring light to dark times. When you choose to start your recovery journey, having a safe place and building relationships that revolve around gratitude and positivity can cause you to form strong connections with others. If you are looking to learn more about qualities to look for in friendships or how to establish a supportive and quality friendship, The Guest House is here to help. Call us at (855) 483-7800 to learn to build connections that go beyond casual acquaintances.