How Friends Can Influence You In Staying or Choosing to Return to Your Addiction

Stay Strong in Your Faith When ‘Friends’ Use Addictive Substances

Birds of a feather tend to flock together. This is true of people in addiction as well. You tend to depend on each other for getting high or drunk and protect each other. Well, kind of! It’s when one of you overdose, then the others fear they’ll be caught, so they leave you behind in the dust. Are they really friends?

As Christians, we are called to support and uplift one another, especially when facing the challenges of addiction. However, the reality is that friends who are actively using addictive substances can have a profoundly negative impact on our own recovery and spiritual wellbeing.

The Bible provides clear guidance on the dangers of bad company and the importance of surrounding ourselves with those who will strengthen our faith, not lead us astray. Proverbs 13:20 warns, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Similarly, 1 Corinthians 15:33 admonishes, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.'”

When we are struggling with addiction, whether to drugs, alcohol, or any other substance, the pull to return to old habits can be incredibly strong, especially when we are new to recovery and those habits are reinforced by our friends. They may 1) pressure us by saying, “just one more time,” 2) minimize the severity of our addiction, or 3) even actively enable our destructive behaviors. This can quickly unravel the progress we’ve made in our recovery journey.

The apostle Paul recognized this danger, writing in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?” As followers of Christ, we are called to be “in the world, but not of the world” (John 17:16). This means that while we should still love and minister to our friends who are struggling, we must also be vigilant in protecting our own spiritual health and sobriety by making new friends who are saved and understand us.

So, what can we do when our friends’ addictive behaviors threaten to pull us back into the darkness? First and foremost, we must cling to our faith and the promises of God. Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” When the temptation to relapse is overwhelming, we can turn to the Lord in prayer, seeking His strength and guidance. The very best decision is not to spend time with these types of friends because they are not friends at all. They are just people to get high or drunk with, so you have to question yourself as to why you are with them?

Additionally, it’s crucial that we surround ourselves with a strong support network of fellow believers who will encourage our spiritual growth and hold us accountable. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”

By prioritizing our relationship with God and seeking out Christian community, we can find the courage and resilience to lovingly distance ourselves from friends who may be hindering our recovery. This doesn’t mean we abandon them entirely, but rather that we set healthy boundaries and focus on our own spiritual well-being, while still praying for and gently guiding them towards the path of healing.

Ultimately, our identity and worth are found in Christ, not in the opinions or behaviors of our friends. As we cling to the truth of God’s love and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome the temptation to return to addictive substances, even when those closest to us are still caught in their grip. With faith, courage, and the support of a loving community, we can break free and walk in the freedom that Christ has promised.

Have a blessed rest of your day with friends who are of the same mind. Take a stand for your faith and health. Need recovery coaching? CLICK HERE