Bulletin Board Post

Relationships

Toxic Friendship

<div class="ExternalClass3D86F0CF23A444AC9B60C5C4CDA6E69A">I feel like I'm in a toxic friendship with my best friend. I really want to change my life for the better and all she wants to do is get drunk. She gets wasted all the time and because I'm a good friend I cover up and babysit her drunk butt. I really want to end this friendship but her older brother is my boyfriend and we have been together for a year and I want to keep the relationship going because he is nothing like his sister, he actually has his life together. But I have a feeling that if I end the relationship with my friend so would my relationship with her brother. I don't want to ruin my relationship because my friendship is taking me down. She isn't really even a friend to me. She's just really mean to me all the time and frequently gets mad at me if I don't send her my homework answers or do exactly what she wants me to do. She constantly mad at me and I can't handle her anymore but if I end the friendship with her I have a feeling my relationship with my boyfriend. Please help me and reply as soon as possible. </div>

<div class="ExternalClassCA63DD84C7414568B96A448A0A158FA2"><div><div class="ExternalClass3D86F0CF23A444AC9B60C5C4CDA6E69A">Friendship issues are rough. It is important to be open and honest with your feelings to your friend and your boyfriend. Start with talking to your boyfriend first. He may have some ideas on how you can improve the relationship with your friend. One way to improve the relationship with your friend is to set clear boundaries and stick to them. Make it clear that you will not enable her negative behaviors and that you don’t want to be bullied anymore because it’s affecting you and your relationship with her brother. Be honest about what is bothering you. Don’t lie and make up excuses. In your email it sounds like you are keeping up with her behaviors and are helping her hide her addiction to alcohol. She needs help, this behavior seems to be taking over her life. We want you to think about her safety. If anything were to happen to her while you are with her that would be a big burden to bear. We don't want you to have to deal with this type of situation. Consider limiting your communication with her and talking to an adult to help your situation and her situation too. Remember, you can only control your actions and how you choose to move forward. Take good care of yourself, focus on YOU. Focus on what is best for YOU. Surround yourself with those who build you up positively, friends, and family. Utilize healthy coping skills and the supports around you to help you get through this difficult time. Have you talked with someone close to you about this? We want to support you in the best possible way. If you would like to talk more about this, please let us know how we can best help, and do not hesitate to reach out. We are here for you. Stay strong and Take care, Nicole, Counselor </div></div> </div>

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