Relationships
What’s one sign of a healthy relationship when resolving conflict?
Both people can express their feelings without fear of punishment or ridicule.
What is manipulation?
Using guilt, pressure, or dishonesty to influence someone for personal gain.
Who created the concept of the Five Love Languages?
Dr. Gary Chapman.
What is assertive communication?
Expressing needs respectfully and clearly while considering others’ feelings.
What is a boundary?
A limit that protects your emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
What’s a sign of an unhealthy relationship related to control?
One person tries to control the other’s time, friends, or decisions.
What’s gaslighting?
Making someone doubt their reality or feelings (“You’re overreacting, that never happened.”).
What are the five love languages?
Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch
Name the four communication styles.
Passive, Aggressive, Passive-Aggressive, and Assertive.
Why are boundaries important in recovery?
They prevent relapse triggers and protect progress by limiting toxic influences.
In recovery, why is it risky to form new romantic relationships too soon?
It can distract from self-work and replace substance use with emotional dependency.
What’s an example of self-manipulation that can happen in recovery?
Telling yourself “I can handle just one drink” or “I don’t need meetings anymore,” to justify risky behavior.
Why is knowing your love language important in recovery?
It helps express and receive care in healthy, non-addictive ways.
Why is listening to understand more effective than listening to respond?
It reduces defensiveness and builds trust in conversations.
Give one example of a healthy boundary with friends still using substances.
“I care about you, but I can’t hang out when you’re drinking or using.”
What’s the difference between support and enabling?
Support encourages growth and accountability; enabling removes consequences and protects unhealthy behavior.
What is Love Bombing?
What is Triangulation?
Love bombing is when someone bombards a person with affection, intense emotions, and an excess of their time and energy.5 This can include gift giving, making elaborate declarations of admiration, and spending all of one’s time and energy on pleasing the victim.Triangulation is when two people disagree, and a third person gets pulled in to sway which side “wins.”3
If someone feels most loved when their partner does chores or helps out, what’s their love language?
Acts of Service.
What’s a common communication mistake that can harm relationships in recovery?
Reacting impulsively instead of pausing to think before responding.
What’s the difference between a wall and a boundary?
A wall shuts people out; a boundary allows healthy connection with protection.
What is mutual respect and why is it essential in healthy recovery relationships?
It means valuing each other’s boundaries, choices, and growth—helping build trust and stability in recovery.
What’s one healthy way to respond to manipulation?
Set a firm boundary and calmly restate your needs without arguing or defending yourself.
How can understanding love languages help rebuild family or partner relationships in recovery?
It improves emotional connection, empathy, and communication—reducing resentment and misunderstandings.
What is “I” statement communication, and give an example.
Taking ownership of feelings instead of blaming others. Example: “I feel hurt when you cancel plans last minute.”
How can poor boundaries lead to relapse?
Without boundaries, people may give in to pressure, guilt, or unhealthy environments.