There are several reasons why someone might keep toxic friends in their life despite claiming they don't want any more friends:
Fear of Loneliness: The person may fear being alone or believe that having toxic friends is better than having no friends at all. Loneliness can be a powerful motivator to hold onto unhealthy relationships.
Familiarity and Comfort: Even if the current friends are toxic, they may have known each other for a long time. The person might feel comfortable with the familiarity of these relationships, even if they are harmful.
Low Self-Esteem: Individuals with low self-esteem may believe that they don't deserve better friendships or that toxic friendships are all they can attract.
Dependency: If the person is emotionally dependent on their toxic friends, they might feel unable to break away from these relationships, even though they acknowledge their negative impact.
Emotional Manipulation: Toxic friends may use emotional manipulation to keep the person from leaving the friendship. This could include guilt-tripping, gaslighting, or other tactics to maintain control over the individual.
Unresolved Issues: Sometimes, people have unresolved issues or unresolved conflicts within themselves that keep them tied to toxic relationships.
Fear of Confrontation: The person might fear the consequences of confronting their toxic friends or ending the friendship, such as conflict or retaliation.
Hope for Change: They might hold onto the hope that their toxic friends will change, or that the dynamics of the friendship will improve over time.
Cultural or Social Pressure: In some cultures or social circles, there might be a strong emphasis on loyalty and maintaining long-term friendships, which can make it challenging to let go of toxic friends.
Limited Social Circles: The person might not have many alternative friendship options due to their social environment or circumstances.
It's essential to understand that staying in toxic friendships can be harmful in the long run. If someone is aware that their current friends are toxic but finds it difficult to break away, it may be helpful for them to seek support from a therapist or counselor. A professional can provide guidance and assistance in navigating these challenging relationship dynamics and help the individual build healthier and more fulfilling connections.