Fear of being alone and losing the "support" of my three best friends led me to allow them to abuse me. I knew in 2010 already that we've grown apart and that my personal convictions and values were starting to diametrically oppose theirs. I allowed this to go on for 8 years for fear of letting go. Attachment because of a long past shared history.

No use crying over spilt milk, but at least I will never make that mistake again. They are out of my life. It was a painful and ugly break-up, but I now feel as if I've broken out of a prison of my own making.