One of the greatest casualties of addiction is trust. Lies, manipulation, broken promises — even if you meant well, your loved ones were likely left confused and hurt. It's time to take accountability and right our wrongs of the past. Words can only go so far, this will take daily action and consistency over time. Be patient during this process.
Rebuilding that trust is possible. But it takes time, consistency, and humility.
Start With Accountability:
- Own what you did. No excuses. Acknowledge the harm.
- Make direct amends when possible and appropriate.
- Be patient. They don’t owe you forgiveness on your timeline.
Daily Habits That Build Trust:
- Show up when you say you will
- Be honest, even when it’s uncomfortable
- Follow through — on small and big things
- Be open to feedback without defensiveness
Understanding Their Perspective: They may be guarded. They may lash out. That’s not about you today — it’s about the pain you caused yesterday. Give them time. Healing isn’t linear.
Boundaries Are Not Punishments: If your loved ones set boundaries, respect them. That’s part of rebuilding safety. Trying to bulldoze them back into comfort will only prolong the process.
In the End: Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets. But with consistent action, those drops add up. And sometimes, the relationships rebuilt in recovery are stronger than before.