What If Both You And Your Spouse Struggle With Addiction?

Being married to someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction is complicated. Watching a loved one suffer and offering support and compassion is particularly challenging for a spouse who has never had an addiction problem. However, when both a husband and wife are struggling with addiction, the situation gets exacerbated. How can you help each other while keeping your relationship intact? 

How Does Addiction Affect Relationships? 

It is important to remember that each person is different and that no two relationships are the same. A person who has a substance abuse problem has specific behavioral patterns that will damage their relationships with others in many ways. 

Some people who abuse substances have co-dependency issues in their relationships. A co-dependent relationship emerges when one partner in a relationship assists or enables the other. Those who spend their lives caring for someone struggling with addiction usually end up devoting their entire lives to that cause. For someone's successful recovery or long-term sobriety, any issues of co-dependency between partners must be addressed. 

While the co-dependent relationship is not unique to those struggling with addiction, this phenomenon appears more frequently among them. When someone becomes addicted, it changes the person completely. Additionally, it will affect how they treat people, go about life, and function. In such cases, partners must be able to help provide direction to each other. If both partners in a relationship are struggling with addiction, this can be very challenging.   

Should My Spouse and I Attend Addiction Treatment Together? 

The most critical choice you need to make regarding your addiction is obtaining help from a professional. Although it can be intimidating and scary, you have to be willing to take the initial step. The belief is that you should focus on yourself first when seeking addiction therapy.  

After you accept that you need to work with addiction treatment experts, you'll be able to keep moving forward. If you are in a relationship where both people struggle with addiction, the next issue is whether or not your partner will also seek treatment.   

There are several options for a couple seeking drug addiction treatment. In the last several decades, addiction treatment has progressed significantly, and there are several opportunities for those seeking care. The couple can enter certain treatment facilities together or choose to enter different ones individually. 

Getting treatment in tandem with your partner gives you both an opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect your recovery. Having the same ideology can help you understand each other better as you engage with different treatment programs. Also, while in treatment, addressing your relationship problems and addiction issues will be easier with the support of your peers. 

You should consult with your spouse about your treatment options and talk to an expert in the field of addiction. If any problems arise when working with — or without — each other, you may always tweak your approach.  

What if My Spouse Is Unwilling to Participate in Treatment? 

To make your partnership successful, you need to work on your individual problems and commit to getting treatment for your addiction-related issues. However, what happens if one of you is unwilling to go through the necessary treatment or wants to quit?  

Various problems may arise if you seek to improve your life, but your significant other is moving backward. For one, you become vulnerable to getting sucked back into the addiction spiral if you stay with a partner who refuses to get treatment for their substance use disorder. If you separate, your spouse may have a more challenging time getting treatment.  

If you are in recovery, how you respond to a spouse who is not following you in your new sober lifestyle is yours. You and your partner's personal decisions about the best interests of your relationship are yours to make, but it's essential to keep in mind that you both deserve to live a life free from addiction.  

Try your hardest to convince your spouse to seek help for their substance use disorder, even if they resist at first. If they are scared or unsure of what may happen, let them know you understand their hesitation but that it will be worth it in the end. If you cannot motivate them to seek treatment, inquire with a professional who can advise you on your next steps. While doing something about your partner's addiction might feel like betraying them, you are only trying to inspire your partner to become sober and healthy and save the relationship for the both of you.   

Counseling can help couples dealing with addiction overcome obstacles. The key is to select the appropriate professional help. Though drug rehabilitation may seem challenging for a couple living together with substance abuse problems, there is hope out there. To find detox and rehab centers that use cutting-edge treatment methods, reach out to DetoxNearMe.com. 

We will help you discover the best options for you to achieve a healthy and long-term recovery. A treatment center will provide you with a strong community of professionals and peers to help you form a support network that can be helpful to you even after you've completed treatment. Contact the admissions staff of a treatment center near you 24/7 with any questions or concerns about their program. To find the best drug or alcohol addiction treatment options in your area, reach out to DetoxNearMe.com immediately. Now is the time to receive the help you need and deserve.