When an addict or alcoholic hits rock bottom, it usually isn’t without dragging a few people down with them. 

Although the addict may have lost their job or is now struggling with their health, their loved ones are usually suffering as well. Addiction can ruin relationships; broken trust is usually one the of biggest reasons for this problem.

How Addiction Destroys Trust in Relationships

When someone becomes dependent on drugs or alcohol, it can consume them. This often means that trust can be broken, and relationships can be neglected.

It is not common for people with substance abuse disorders to twist the truth. Addicts lie for several reasons but no matter what their reasoning is, this frequent lying leads to mistrust. Especially when the addict is caught in their lie and still tries to deny it, it makes it harder and harder for their loved ones to trust them.

Not only is the frequent lying problematic, but often, addicts also start to prioritize their addiction over everything else. The result may be a lot of broken promises. If this pattern continues, their loved ones learn that they cannot rely on this person and their trust in them is once again broken.

How to Rebuild Trust in Recovery

You struggled with drinking for most of your adult life. After hitting rock bottom, you finally decided to go to an alcohol rehab in the Boston area. Now that you are in recovery, you finally realize how much damage your drinking did to your relationships, and you want to make things right.

This is not an uncommon story, but thankfully, trust can sometimes be mended. Although it isn’t always easy, these tips for rebuilding trust in recovery may be able to help both you and your loved ones rebuild your relationships.

Take Action

Actions speak louder than words, so take actions to prove that you have changed. Trust needs to be earned, so instead of just apologizing, show your loved ones that you can be trusted. If you make promises, keep them. If you mess up, be honest. Especially when rebuilding trust in early recovery, you need to prove to your loved ones that you are now reliable and consistent.

Be Honest

One of the big reasons that your loved ones no longer trust you may be because you were so dishonest with them. Vow to be honest with them from now on, even if it doesn’t always show you in the best light. Even just one lie could set back your progress or make it impossible to ever move forward again.

Focus on You

It can be tempting to want to force your loved ones to trust you again, but the easiest way to regain trust in recovery is to start with yourself. If you focus on self-improvement and becoming a better person, that trust will develop naturally.

Be Patient

It isn’t just about rebuilding trust in the recovery process when you are still working through the different levels of addiction treatment. Regaining someone’s trust takes time and will often continue long after your treatment programs are through. At a certain point, you can only do so much. Be patient with your loved ones, especially those who you hurt the most or time and time again. If you continue to show that you can be trusted, they will often eventually come to trust you again.

Let Go

For some people, broken trust cannot be repaired. Even if you have apologized and shown that you can be trusted, it doesn’t mean that everyone will be able to trust you again. You need to accept the fact that some people you hurt may never forgive you. At a certain point, you need to let this person go because your relationship may be doing more harm than good for them. Let them come to you in the future if they ever change their minds.

Addiction recovery isn’t easy, and it certainly isn’t a journey you should have to go through alone. If you are in need of help, do not wait.

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Patients in our Wilmington PHP will get help with everything from managing withdrawal symptoms to rebuilding trust in recovery. Start your journey to recovery today by calling 888-280-4763.