Healthy marriages are built on mutual trust, honesty, and respect. When your spouse is addicted to drugs and alcohol, it is almost impossible to have a healthy relationship.
If you are married to someone struggling with substance abuse, you may have a range of emotions. You may feel anxious, angry, sad, or frustrated. It can be devastating to watch someone you love spiral deeper into an addiction. But what can you do to help?
There are many things you can do to help an addicted partner. This article will detail how spouses or partners can encourage their loved ones to seek addiction treatment. It will also describe ways to find the support you need while navigating this difficult situation.
Contact The Living Room specialists now to learn about our holistic treatment programs. Our programs use evidence-based therapies and provide long-term support to people at any stage of recovery.
How Does Addiction Affect Relationships?
Addiction can change how people behave, feel, and think. It makes having a healthy relationship nearly impossible. Addiction changes marriages in many ways, including:
- Requiring the healthy spouse to take on a caretaker role
- Increasing the risk of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse
- Loss of intimacy and connection
- Inability to work as a team
- No chance to plan for the future
- Dishonesty or “sneaky” behaviors lead to loss of trust
- Legal or financial trouble
People who live with an addicted partner often have higher levels of stress. They may feel less connected to their partner. They may lack the energy to take care of their own needs as the addiction becomes the center of their marriage.
Is My Spouse Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol?
If your partner lives with addiction, there are treatment options that can help. It is crucial for both partners to get help and support.
Recognizing an addiction is the first step toward getting substance abuse and mental health treatment. Here are some signs your partner may be struggling with substance abuse and needs help:
- Your partner drinks or uses drugs more often than before
- They need to use more of a substance to get the desired effects
- They take risks while using drugs or alcohol, such as driving or working under the influence
- Your partner neglects their relationships, work, and hobbies
- They isolate themselves
- They suddenly have new friends
- Your partner lies about their substance use or attempts to hide it
- They experience legal, social, financial, or medical consequences related to their substance use
- Your partner experiences withdrawal symptoms if they do not drink or take drugs
People do not choose to be addicted to drugs or alcohol. If your partner is struggling with addiction, you can help them find treatment. This will help them recover and move forward into a healthier future.
Helping an Addicted Partner in Denial
It can be challenging to know what to do if your addicted spouse is in denial about their addiction. Denial can keep people from realizing the severity of their problem. It may prevent your spouse from accepting help–even when their substance use causes severe harm.
Denial is a coping mechanism. It can protect people from understanding the severity of their current situation. Denial can help people cope with very challenging circumstances. However, it can also keep people from getting help when they need it.
Some signs that your spouse is in denial about their substance abuse include:
- Attempting to hide their substance use
- Trying to justify why abuse alcohol or drugs
- Getting angry if you express concern about their substance use
- Not recognizing that their behaviors affect others
- Not keeping promises to you or other loved ones
- Blaming their substance use on other people or their circumstances
If your spouse is in denial about their addiction, it may be more challenging to convince them to get help. However, it is important to get the support you need and keep trying.
What Should I Do if My Partner is Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol?
There are several steps you can take to convince an addicted spouse to go to rehab.
1. Educate yourself
Learn about addiction and recovery. Explore local treatment facilities. Connect with community support resources, such as Al-Anon or a substance abuse counselor.
It is essential to understand substance use disorders as a disease. You may also explore how enabling behaviors can prevent people from recovering and how to heal a codependent relationship.
2. Build your support system
Ask for help when you need it. Lean on family members, addiction specialists, therapists, and friends.
3. Plan an intervention
An intervention is a planned event. During an intervention, friends and family members gather to express concern for someone struggling with addiction. They encourage the addicted person to seek treatment immediately.
Work with a professional interventionist who can guide you through the process. An interventionist will provide valuable insight and guidance before, during, and after your intervention.
4. Set healthy boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries is crucial when dealing with a partner struggling with addiction. Communicate your limits and expectations calmly and assertively. Stick to these boundaries to protect yourself and your well-being.
Enforcing boundaries may involve consequences for certain behaviors, such as refusing to enable the addiction or seeking support from a family therapist or support group to reinforce boundaries effectively.
5. Take care of yourself
You cannot control what your spouse does. However, you can create a healthy environment that supports recovery. You must also care for yourself as you navigate this difficult situation.
Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as hobbies, exercise, or spending time with supportive friends and family. Prioritize your physical and emotional well-being by eating healthily, getting enough rest, and seeking professional help or therapy if needed.
Find Help Now
If your spouse or partner is abusing substances, you are not alone. Contact the specialists at The Living Room now to explore our holistic family treatment programs.