Relationships & Responsibility

Responsibility in recovery means recognising harm and making changes others can see, while respecting their boundaries and choices about the relationship.

Addiction can affect attention, judgement and the reliability of everyday commitments. Understanding those difficulties can help people find support and make workable changes, but it does not erase harm. Repair depends on actions, the other person's choices and safety, rather than a promise that recovery will restore the relationship. No one owes forgiveness, contact or trust. Threats, coercive control and violence require attention to safety and specialist support; immediate danger or serious injury needs emergency help.

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