Boundary Basics
This type of boundary involves your feelings and emotional limits.
What is an emotional boundary?
Boundaries in recovery are especially important with these people.
Who are people, places, or situations connected to substance use?
Healthy boundaries make you feel this way afterward.
What is safe / respected / calm?
A friend pressures you to drink. A healthy boundary is to do this.
What is say no and leave or change the situation?
Boundary statements often start with this word.
What is “I”?
Boundaries help protect this important part of recovery.
What is sobriety / mental health / personal well-being?
One reason boundaries help prevent relapse.
What is reducing triggers / stress / exposure to risk?
Ignoring your own needs is an example of this type of boundary pattern.
What is weak or porous boundaries?
Someone repeatedly asks for money that puts your recovery at risk.
What is setting a financial boundary?
This communication style supports clear boundaries.
What is assertive communication?
This type of boundary involves personal space and physical contact.
What is a physical boundary?
Saying “no” to this can support recovery.
What are substances, unhealthy environments, or enabling behaviors?
Refusing to listen or shutting everyone out may indicate this type of boundary.
What are rigid/weak boundaries?
Your family brings up past mistakes during arguments.
What is setting an emotional or conversational boundary?
Repeating your boundary without over-explaining is called this.
What is the broken-record technique?
True or False: Setting boundaries is a form of self-care.
What is True?
This boundary may include limiting contact with certain people.
What is a social boundary?
Healthy boundaries balance your needs and this.
What are the needs of others?
You feel exhausted after helping everyone else but yourself.
What is a sign boundaries are needed?
This skill helps you recognize when a boundary is needed.
What is self-awareness?
True or False: Boundaries are meant to control others.
What is False? (They are about controlling yourself and keeping everyone safe.)
Name one boundary someone in early recovery might set.
What is avoiding bars, not lending money, limiting family contact, etc.?
True or False: Guilt means you set a bad boundary.
What is False?
Name one phrase that communicates a healthy boundary.
What is “I’m not comfortable with that,” “I need to step away,” etc.?
This feeling often shows up when boundaries are violated.
What is resentment / anger / stress?