by Nicole Cook

Created on: March 20, 2009

Interfering in a friends unhealthy relationship may be necessary if that relationship is having negative affects on your friend. Many relationships can be labeled unhealthy but there are different degrees of unhealthiness ranging from self destructive behavior, depression, emotional and physical abuse, lying, cheating, etc. If you are worried that your friends safety or well being may be in jeopardy by continuing to take part in an unhealthy relationship, then by all means make your voice heard. Many times it is a friends support that is necessary when making the decision to break off of an unhealthy relationship.

If there is no risk to your friends safety but you believe their relationship with another person is not headed in the right direction or you believe they are all wrong for one another then you need to consider the possible repercussions that may result in you voicing your opinions. You may lose your friends trust, you may be crossing a line in your friendship that you can not come back from and your friend may not listen to your advice whatsoever. You need to think about the result of your actions before actually taking steps to interfere with a friends unhealthy relationship.

You may need to take a step back, evaluate your friends relationship and see whether it would be beneficial for your to interfere. If your friend is smart, has good common sense and self confidence, he or she may come around to the same decision with little or no help from you with the exception of emotional support.

Sometimes friends will take it upon themselves to talk to a friends significant other without their friends knowledge with the belief that they are doing a good thing. However many times your friend will view this as a betrayal and may not trust you ever again. You should approach the subject of your friends unhealthy relationship cautiously and never overstep your bounds of friendship unless you believe your friend may be in any danger. In these instances it may be necessary to seek help for your friend without their knowledge either by giving your friends number to a support group, reporting to the police what you have witnessed or concerns you may have, etc. Though taking steps as drastic as these may result in the end of your friendship, you must weigh the fact that your friend will finally receive the help he or she needs with or without you present in their life.

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