How to Break an Addiction to a Person

You can’t control everything. Therefore, sometimes you just need to relax and free yourself from the bonds of mental barriers and enjoy positive mental health. Especially, you need to understand how you work. 

Enrol in this Psychology & Treatment of Addiction  Course and gain the necessary skills to support, give care and improve the psychological wellbeing of yourself and others. 

Tips on How to Break an Addiction to a Person

If you’re battling addiction, you are not alone. So many have gone on a journey of how to break an addiction to a person.  Go through this quick, step-by-step guide to breaking the addiction that holds you back.

1. Figure Out Your Addictive Relationship

The first step of ‘how to break an addiction to a person is to face the truth by yourself. Try to figure out the toxic person you are addicted to. Before you can give up any addiction, you need to own the reality that you have one. 

Remember that you were not brought into this world to live your life feeling depressed, defeated, guilty, condemned, ashamed or unworthy. You were created to be victorious and enjoy your life to the fullest!

Once you have faced the reality, commit yourself to live and be true to yourself, no matter the cost. Recovery requires living in truth over living in fantasy. Addictive relationships are fantasies. You are in love with what you wish the person was, not what they are.

Separate yourself from the things that remind you of your addiction. No matter what that thing is, even if it’s related to a family member or your partner. Detach yourself from that particular person and get a fresh perspective. Otherwise, it will keep reminding you about your addiction. 

2. Detach Yourself from an Unhealthy Bond

Recognise your addictive state and learn the differences between fantasy and reality. It is so natural to see your partner through rose-coloured glasses when you are in a relationship. That goes with everyone. We tend to maintain fantasies about what a person is like in the hopes of them someday coming true. 

The second step of ‘how to break an addiction to a person is to accept reality about your partner. Don’t pretend that everything is going well just to maintain the connection. Just be true to yourself. If you think you are being controlled, manipulated, gaslighted or if there is any sort of extremism in your relationship, accept that your relationship is not healthy.

You wouldn’t want to lose your identity, right? So get out of this relationship before the circumstances get worse.

Prepare your mind to give up all sorts of physical connections with the person you want to break the addiction to. It can be any type of connection, including financial, official or home relatives. 

It will take time, optimism, and lots of effort to understand that you will need to give yourself extra time to break these connections. 

3. Surround Yourself with Positive People

Thirdly, surround yourself with positive souls, and then you will feel the positive vibes coming naturally. Your environment will undoubtedly influence your experience and moments. So, it’s crucial to make it a positive one. Recognise those people who want the best for you and who bring out the best parts of you. And surround yourself with people who value what you are.

Set personal goals, focus on self-improvement and love yourself. For example, you can pick a new hobby, go trekking, start going to the gym or do whatever you want. Prioritise yourself, and as soon as you start focusing on yourself, you will, bit by bit, see the differences within your happy self! 

4. Welcome Your Independence

Make up your mind and commit yourself to embrace the independence you will get after breaking yourself from the addiction to that person. Think of ways on how you would deal with the person if they decide to get in touch with you in the future.

Prepare yourself and think of how you will respond if you meet with this person again. You must remember why you wanted to break that addiction in the first place.  More importantly, you don’t have to give time to the person who beats down your self-esteem and makes you feel small or unimportant.

After you get out of your addictive relationship, you are bound to face some physical and mental difficulties, including fear, loneliness, or even you might face panic attacks. You may also be unable to sleep properly or eat anything due to nausea or shaking. 

But, don’t worry! You are not alone. You have people who love and care for you. Let them be by your side and help you through it.

5. Learn to Set Boundaries in Relationships and Friendships

Another crucial step of ‘how to break an addiction to a person is to set boundaries. Boundaries in relationships or friendships can be much more challenging to create and honour. And if it’s a boundary that someone does not inherently want or understands – then there may be a huge problem because that boundary can be crossed again and again. 

Limiting boundaries within the relationship can sometimes be challenging. But it is essential and, at the same time, meaningful to you for living a healthy, balanced life. 

Moreover, many people have a sneaking idea that if they click with another person right away after they met, it’s a token of a perfect match. Nope! Keep in mind; everyone has a life beyond your relationship or friendship. 

Moving forward, always be cautious and be aware of your past relationships or friendships that have been untrustworthy and catchy. Therefore, take things slowly with any new person that comes into your life. Do not forget to keep your needs in mind and maintain self-care.

If you think you have to seek outside support from a counsellor or a local support group, then don’t hesitate to go to them. You might be surprised at how supportive and healthy they can be. And it’s okay to look for encouragement as you make new healthy bonds.

6. Pay Attention to Yourself

You may tune out yourself when you feel a bit down while ending a relationship with someone you loved and cared about for a long time. It might be hard to imagine a life without them, but you will get through this. It’s easier to believe when you understand why they can’t be in your life anymore.

Instead of burrowing yourself in grief, pity and hopelessness, focus on yourself.  Take time to eat and exercise regularly, get quality sleep, and treat yourself gently.

Moreover, doing a few self-care activities each week can also help you feel more like yourself and contribute to your newfound freedom. In addition, relax in a soothing bubble bath, get your haircut and style, or visit the spa for a massage. Don’t stop caring for yourself because you’re feeling bad over someone who wasn’t good for you. 

7. People You Should Avoid

In our journey to have a healthy and happy life, we need to avoid people who are distorting our inner peace. It might not be ideal, but you have to avoid toxic people who just want you in their life to fulfil their own selfish needs.    

Here are the traits of the people whom you must avoid.

Things to Keep in Mind

If you go through a phase where you feel all alone after winding up in an unhealthy addicted relationship/friendship, get in touch with family, friends or any close one. Be with someone whom you trust no matter what. Especially, grow up a help system of people who are willing and happy to help you all along with this complex and confusing time.

The road to recovery will be hard. But you will have to take it one day at a time, focusing on the moments that you have dreamed about for so long. It takes a lot of strength to pass the storm of addiction, but believe me. It’s worth it.