How can one distance oneself from the companionship and actions of bad friends, given the regret after spending time with them, only to return to them again?

Befriending bad companions is a great danger due to the corruption and perils it entails in this world and the hereafter. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned us against them. To rid yourself of them, follow these steps:

1. Change your environment and move away from them. 2. Seek out righteous companionship that will assist you in upholding the truth. 3. Increase in acts of obedience and distance yourself from grave sins. 4. Engage in beneficial knowledge, recite the Qur'an, and fill your free time with acts of worship. 5. Reflect on the corrupting consequences of associating with bad companions, and how they will abandon each other on the Day of Judgment, just as their companionship leads to disobedience. 6. Repent for past actions and resolve to change for the better, and frequently supplicate that Allah may grant you righteous companionship and divert evil and its people away from you.

The most important thing is to be mindful of Allah's constant watch over you in all situations and at all times. Whoever is mindful of this will find it easy to stay away from evil and its people.