Not all friendships are built to last. Some people bring joy, support, and laughter into your life. Others? They bring stress, guilt, and the kind of drama that makes you want to throw your phone into the nearest body of water. If you’re looking for a more peaceful, drama-free existence, here are the types of “friends” you should be cutting off immediately.
1. The Friend That Secretly Envies You
They act supportive, but there’s always a weird tension lurking beneath the surface and you can just feel it in your gut. Maybe it’s the way their “congratulations” sound just a little forced, or how they always find a way to downplay your wins. You tell them something good happened, and instead of hyping you up, they hit you with, “Must be nice.” According to Psychology Today, passive-aggressive behavior in friendships can manifest as downplaying others’ successes or making seemingly supportive comments with an underlying negative tone.
True friends celebrate your wins like they’re their own. If someone is constantly making passive-aggressive comments, throwing shade, or treating your success like a personal attack, they don’t actually want the best for you. And honestly? Life’s too short to keep people around who secretly want to see you fail.
2. The Friend That Only Ever Wants To Drink
If their idea of “hanging out” exclusively involves bottomless mimosas, shots on a Tuesday, or convincing you to black out for the third weekend in a row, you might need to reconsider the friendship. Fun is great, but if they disappear the second you suggest doing something that doesn’t involve a bar tab, what does that say? According to a study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, friendships that revolve primarily around alcohol consumption can have negative effects on personal development and may be indicative of underlying substance abuse issues
A friend who only values you as their drinking buddy isn’t really a friend. They’re just using you as a co-pilot in their chaotic lifestyle. If they can’t engage with you sober, they’re not here for you—they’re here for the party. And guess what? You don’t need to RSVP.
3. The Friend That Makes You Uncomfortable
You don’t know why, but every time you hang out with them, you leave feeling uneasy. Maybe they constantly push your boundaries, say things that make you cringe, or throw out subtle insults disguised as “jokes.” Either way, the vibe is off, and you can feel it. According to research from the University of California, Berkeley, our intuition about others’ intentions is often accurate.
So, if someone consistently makes you feel awkward, tense, or like you have to be on high alert, that’s your gut telling you something. Friendships should be easy, not a constant exercise in dodging weird energy. If your body automatically tenses when they text you, it’s time to start ghosting.
4. The Friend That Hates Your Partner
A good friend doesn’t have to love your significant other, but if they’re constantly making snide remarks, rolling their eyes when you talk about them, or “joking” about you breaking up, that’s not friendship—that’s sabotage. Unless your partner is genuinely terrible (which, let’s be real, sometimes happens), their hostility probably says more about them than your relationship. According to relationship experts at The Gottman Institute, friends who consistently undermine your romantic relationship can create significant stress and conflict.
5. The Friend That Counts Every Penny
We all have budgets, but if someone keeps a mental spreadsheet of who owes what down to the cent, it gets exhausting. They remind you about the $1.43 they covered last month, Venmo requests you for gas money after offering to drive, and always conveniently “forget” their wallet when it’s their turn to pay.
Friendship isn’t a financial transaction. If they’re treating every meal, coffee, and Uber ride like an investment portfolio, they’re missing the point. And if they make you feel guilty about money more than they make you laugh, it’s time to cut ties—before they start charging you interest.
6. The Friend That’s Guy Crazy

Every conversation somehow circles back to men. You could be talking about work, family, or the meaning of life, and they’ll still find a way to make it about their latest situationship. Their priorities? Securing a date, maintaining a revolving door of romantic drama, and using you as their personal therapist.
At some point, you have to ask yourself—do they even care about your life, or are you just the sounding board for their never-ending dating woes? If they treat your friendship like a commercial break between their romantic escapades, it’s time to unsubscribe.
7. The Friend That Makes Their Kids Their Whole Personality
We get it. They had a baby. But somewhere along the way, they stopped being a person and became a walking, talking Mom Blog. Every conversation revolves around nap schedules, organic snacks, and developmental milestones you have zero interest in. And if you dare talk about something non-kid-related? They check out immediately.
Being a parent is important, but so is maintaining an identity outside of it. If they can’t engage in a conversation that doesn’t involve their child’s bowel movements, you’re not in a friendship—you’re in a one-sided parenting seminar you never signed up for.
8. The Friend That Shames You For Being Single
They act like your life is incomplete without a partner, throwing out unsolicited advice like, “You just have to put yourself out there more!” Meanwhile, you’re actually fine with your life, but they can’t seem to wrap their head around that.
Good friends support your choices, whether you’re single, dating, or thriving on your own. If someone makes you feel like your worth is tied to your relationship status, they don’t respect your autonomy. You don’t need a partner to be complete, and you definitely don’t need a friend who thinks otherwise.
9. The Friend That Makes Demands On You
They don’t ask—they expect. Your time, your energy, your emotional labor. Whether it’s needing endless support for their personal drama or treating you like a human favor factory, they act like your life revolves around their needs.
Friendship is about give and take. If someone is always demanding your attention but never showing up for you in return, that’s not a friendship—it’s an emotional hostage situation. Cut them loose before they drain you dry.
10. The Friend That Makes You Feel Like You’re The Entourage
They walk into a room like they’re the star of the show, and you? You’re just there to be their audience. Whether it’s their social media obsession, their need to dominate conversations, or their expectation that you’ll drop everything for them, they treat you more like a side character than an actual friend.
True friendship is mutual. If they see you as an accessory to their life rather than a person with your own wants and needs, it’s time to step out of their spotlight and find people who actually value you.
11. The Friend That Takes But Never Gives
They expect you to show up for them at a moment’s notice, whether it’s emotional support, favors, or just being available whenever they feel like talking. But when you need something? Radio silence. They somehow always “missed your text,” were “so busy,” or conveniently forgot to check in when you were struggling.
A friendship isn’t a one-sided service where you’re expected to be their emotional safety net without getting anything in return. If you find yourself drained after every interaction while they leave feeling lighter, that’s a problem. You shouldn’t have to beg for reciprocity. If they can’t match your energy, stop giving it to them.
12. The Friend That Disappears For Weeks At A Time
You’ll be in regular contact one moment, thinking everything is fine, and then—poof—they’re gone. No explanation, no response to messages, just a full-on vanishing act. Then, just as suddenly, they reappear like nothing happened, expecting you to pick up right where you left off.
Life gets busy, but if someone is only around when it’s convenient for them, that’s not real friendship. They’re treating you like an option, not a priority. If they can’t be consistent, you don’t need to keep making space for them. Friendships require effort from both sides, not just when they feel like showing up.
13. The Friend That Doesn’t Have An Empathetic Bone In Their Body

Any time you open up about something difficult, they hit you with, “Well, that sucks” or “It could be worse.” They don’t ask follow-up questions, don’t offer comfort, and somehow always find a way to make your problems feel insignificant compared to theirs.
A friend who lacks empathy isn’t just frustrating—they’re exhausting. Conversations feel one-sided, where you’re expected to support them, but the second you need the same in return, they act like you’re being dramatic. You deserve friendships where you’re not just heard but actually understood.
14. The Friend That Gossips A Little Too Much
They always have the latest dirt on everyone, and honestly, it’s entertaining—until you realize they’re probably doing the same thing to you. If they’re constantly spilling everyone else’s secrets, what are they saying behind your back?
A little venting is normal, but if their entire personality revolves around dissecting other people’s lives, that’s a red flag. Eventually, that drama will turn on you. The best way to avoid being their next topic of conversation? Stop giving them access to your personal business.
15. The Friend That Can’t Take ‘No’ For An Answer
You tell them you’re not in the mood to go out, and suddenly, you’re the “boring” one. You say you can’t help with something, and they guilt-trip you about how much they “needed” you. Every request comes with strings attached, and the second you try to set a boundary, they make it about them.
Friends who can’t respect your limits aren’t friends—they’re manipulators. No one should make you feel bad for having personal boundaries or needing space. If they expect a yes every time and can’t handle being told no, it’s time to remove them from your life altogether.