Granted Im an alcoholic so not totally in your shoes BUT i do have people that trigger me-BIG TIME. My therapist gave me the 5 minute rule. It was hard to get used to but MAN do I feel powerful ending the conversation--even when it is a pleasant one. I answer the phone and the clock is ticking 5 minutes..I know they are alive and well they know Im alive and well... BOOM gotta go! Abusers change their tune once they realize you wont give up blocks of your time for their bull $hit.