Addiction affects everyone involved, not just the individual with the addiction. A side effect of substance abuse is the isolation and damaging of relationships. Although relationships break down, they can be fixed. Here are a few steps one can take to repair a damaged relationship: 1. Set realistic expectations — Recovery is a long process. However, any action taken towards rebuilding a relationship is a victory, and these small steps need to be celebrated. 2. Try to separate the disease from the person — You wouldn’t blame a loved one if they had another chronic, relapsing illness. Addiction is a disease that affects the way a person thinks and reasons. 3. Learn healthy communication methods — Effective communications techniques lower the risk of getting into petty disputes and teach people what to do if the conversation gets too heated. 4. Eliminate unhealthy relationships — People in a recovering addict’s life who still use drugs and alcohol no longer have a place in their life. Neither do those who are, or have been, abusive towards the recoverer.