Description

Setting Boundaries Worksheet (PDF)

A boundary is like a fence or property line and this “Setting Boundaries Worksheet” can help establish your own.

It distinguishes between what is yours and what belongs to someone else.

It also distinguishes between what you are responsible for and areas that are not your responsibility.

In addictions, boundaries can be unclear, difficult to define, and hard to maintain.

The boundary is necessary for healthy functioning and ultimately helps to keep people and relationships safe.

This “Setting Boundaries Worksheet” will define what a boundary does and what it doesn’t do.

Learn how to manage opposition to your boundaries and how to handle boundary violators.

Additionally, this worksheet provides guidelines and tips to help you establish boundary lines clearly and respectfully.

This lesson is available exclusively as part of the journeytorecovery.com library.

Establishing Boundaries Worksheet (PDF)

Have you had trouble drawing boundaries in the past?

Use this “Setting Boundaries Worksheet” along with this article to write your experiences where you established boundaries or had difficulty doing so.

Include specific examples that illustrate your effectiveness or your difficulty.

• Is there someone in your life with whom you need to draw better boundaries?
• Do you have trouble doing so?
• How has drug addiction or alcohol problems compromised your boundaries?

Here are some links to more great resources that will help you set boundaries and establish limits:

• Setting Boundaries and Limits Part I

• Establishing Boundaries and Setting Limits (PowerPoint Presentation)

• Setting and Maintaining Boundaries (MH Lesson)

• Establishing Boundaries and Setting Limits (COD Lesson)

• Rescuing Others

• ADHD Treatment and Tools

PURPOSE OF BOUNDARIES

Whether you are working hard to break an addiction or are the loved one of an addict, it is important to understand the purpose of boundaries.

Sometimes you are the one setting a boundary and sometimes others are setting boundaries for you.

As you continue in recovery, it is good to step into the shoes of your loved one and start to see boundaries from their perspective.

What once looked obnoxious or excessive, upon a closer examination, may have ultimately been for  your benefit and encouraged your recovery, even though you felt opposed.

Whatever the case, boundaries are essential for long-term recovery.