Understanding the unique challenges of addiction and relationships is something that is not often spoken about publicly. Of course, during addiction recovery treatment, there’s a great deal of discussion that goes on behind closed doors, both in therapy and among the couples themselves. No one can deny that when a spouse or partner is struggling with addiction or substance abuse, it can be destructive in many ways.
While enrolling in addiction recovery treatment is an important step, there will still be highs and lows both during recovery treatment and afterward. Even when a loved one is living a life of sobriety, there will still be challenges. When normal relationship conflicts arise, there is a tendency by the sober partner to somehow look at the recovering addict’s past and blame them for whatever problems arise throughout the relationships. If you’re a partner or spouse of a recovering addict, there are some things you can do during the recovery process to help lay the foundational groundwork for a healthy relationship once your partner has completed addiction recovery treatment. It is critical to move past these obstacles.
1. Understanding
Understanding means educating yourself. The more you learn about your spouse’s addiction, the better off your marriage will be. Educate yourself on the science of addiction. Learn how it impacts the brain and what you can expect from treatment will help you manage your expectations as your loved one continues his or her recovery journey.
The first thing you must understand is that your partner must put their sobriety first, above all other priorities. This may mean that your partner is less willing to put themselves into social settings exposing them to relapse triggers. Your job as a partner of someone in recovery is to support such decisions. Your recovering addict partner may also develop new friendships and partake in new activities.
Primarily, your job is to put aside any feelings of jealousy and to encourage your partner to explore new things, new people, and new places. Anything you can do to encourage them or facilitate their participation in activities that allow them to work their program is a good thing. Show you support in any way and every way you can. You can be supportive of this. Try not to tag along or to forcibly include yourself in these activities.
2. Take Care of Yourself
One of the challenges of addiction and relationships is that sometimes, the partner of a recovering addict forgets to take care of their own physical and emotional needs. Understand that you may have pent up feelings as a result of the addiction and you are entitled to seek counseling and care for yourself. Dealing with family problems sometimes means you need to get some support and guidance from a professional.
Family support programs are often available and experts agree that the hurt felt by families needs to be addressed. Sadly, in most homes where alcoholism or drug addiction is evident, dysfunction, unhealthy roles and boundaries are symptoms that are often overlooked. By getting help for yourself you can learn to create healthy boundaries and establish the roles of your spouse. While your loved one attends substance abuse treatment programs, Al-Anon can support you in your efforts. Continuing in personal therapies and couple therapies can also help you with communication in the relationship.
Keep practicing self-care. Just as it was important to do this while your spouse was in rehab, it’s still just as important to take care of yourself now. Getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and doing things you enjoy are all things that will help you maintain your overall wellness, which in turn, will equip you to face the challenges of everyday life.
While your loved one participates in addiction therapy services, attend individual therapy yourself. In many instances, it can be very helpful if each spouse participates in individual therapy as well. This can provide a healthy outlet to express emotions like anger, frustration, and hurt as each person deals with the challenges of living life with a recovering addict. It is also a great way to address codependency issues.
3. Restoring Trust and Rebuilding Bonds
Trust, once lost, is difficult to regain. Both parties need to work on re-establishing trust and boundaries need to be discussed and established. It will take time to heal the wounds but with open communication, both parties will eventually get back to mutual trust. As you enjoy life experiences with your spouse, it can help with the adjustments that come with addiction recovery. In time, hopefully, it can help to heal past wounds and struggles.
Participate in family therapy, you and your spouse will work with a clinical counselor to address communication, family roles, and other social issues as you learn to communicate more effectively and support one another. During therapy, you’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions and receive professional advice about how you should handle situations that arise at home.
4. Dealing with emotions and conflict
In some cases, a partner will bring up past misdoings as a fallback during conflicts. This is neither healthy nor wise. Placing blame isn’t a healthy way to move forward, especially if you’re attacking past habits in a new conflict. The goal is to develop a process of conflict resolution. This starts with boundaries and is complemented by an agreement on how to address issues.
One thing you will learn by going to Al-anon is how to handle your own emotions when it comes to your loved one’s addiction recovery. You can’t take it too personally, because you will be faced with problems in the process. Your relationship will change to some extent with a sober partner. Down the road, there may be complications. But you should never pass or assume blame or take these changes personally against yourself.
Your spouse’s recovery does involve you, but their sobriety really is about them. When bad things begin to happen, old habits, and even relapse, you have to understand the nature of addiction. It is not your fault. Continue to try to support them and encourage them to get the proper help they need.
5. Be Patient
Even with a spouse in addiction or mental health IOP recovery, they may not become the person you were hoping they would be right away. It can take time and your patience can be the key. It might be a process for them to live up to your expectations. There can be a period of adjustment to go through after they have completed addiction recovery treatment. Patience and understanding will come with time and emotional maturity on the part of both parties.
Addiction recovery takes time and long-term rehab and treatment are a part of the journey. Try to be patient as both you and your spouse adjust to a new lifestyle.
Other Tips for Handling Addiction and Relationships
Although it will take time and effort, it is possible to establish and maintain a healthy marriage while a spouse is recovering from addiction. If your husband or wife is currently completing a drug and alcohol rehab program or has recently completed one, here are three additional strategies that may help you address the challenges of living with an addict in recovery.
Maintain Substance-Free Living
Supporting your spouse in his or her recovery may also mean that you and the whole family also need to make a lifestyle change. Removing all addictive substances from your home will help create a living space where your spouse will feel supported, safe, and accountable. If in the past, you and your spouse spent most of your leisure time drinking or spending time in places where drug and alcohol abuse is frequent, it would be wise to encourage your spouse to do something else. Suggest other sober activities, such as going to the movie theater or going for a hike. Create a list together of sober activities you both enjoy. You can fall back on these when your loved one is having a hard time.
Be Prepared to Handle Relapse
Every person in recovery needs a relapse prevention plan. But this need also extends to the spouses of addicts in recovery. If your husband or wife relapses, it’s important that you both have a plan in place. This may be something you can discuss with your therapist or at your next Al-Anon meeting.
Find Support in the Community
If you are not already attending recovery support group meetings for loved ones of addicts in recovery, you are missing out on a fantastic opportunity to give and receive support. You can talk with other individuals who have experienced similar life circumstances and share your experiences with marriage and addiction.
Supporting Your Sober Partner
If your husband, wife, or other loved one has dealt with a drug or alcohol addiction and you are wondering how you can suppor them in their sobriety journey following a stay at an Orange County drug rehab, the best thing you can do is ask.
Everybody is different and one person’s needs may differ from someone else’s. For some, they may ask you to not drink around them as much for the urges or cravings may be too much too handle at this point in their recovery. For others, they may ask to go to support group meetings with them to give them encouragement to stay on the right path.
Whatever the case may be, the best thing you can do is love an support them in all that they do. Even if they relapse, it is vital to show the same love and support and help them get back into a program to get them back on track.
Contact Renaissance Recovery for Addiction and Relationships Support
Renaissance Recovery provides support and resources for addiction and relationships. Lasting recovery affects every part of a person’s life, including their family. Our addiction treatment specialists help both you and your loved one find the best programs to rebuild a life after addiction.
Ask about participating in the following:
- Individual therapy
- Family counseling
- Mental health treatment
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Holistic therapy program
Contact Renaissance Recovery by calling [Direct] with any questions about supporting a loved one during or after rehab. Grow stronger together today.
