Holidays such as Valentine’s Day can put a lot of pressure on a couple, whether they’ve been together for a week or they’ve been together for ten years. If one or both of those in a relationship are experiencing problems with substance abuse, however, holidays and day-to-day life can become even more stressful. When one person in a family or relationship develops a substance use disorder, it affects more than themselves.
If you have questions about addiction and relationships or are struggling, reach out to one of the healthcare professionals at BoardPrep Recovery Center® today at 866.796.4720 to discuss our 12-step treatment plan.
Addiction and Relationships
It is essential to learn how addiction affects relationships. A family or relationship involving addiction can experience more difficult moments than those that don’t. Unfortunately, today, substance use is a widespread problem. If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, you may feel as if you are on your own. However, this is not the case. Everybody deals with their relationships with someone battling addiction differently, depending on how severe their dependency is.
The Costs of Substance Abuse in Relationships
When a partner abuses substances, both people in the relationship are often miserable. In most cases, these couples are even more unhappy than those who seek counseling for issues unrelated to addiction. Many would argue that the user’s romantic partner often pays the highest toll, aside from the individual using substances. However, addiction affects relationships in a number of different ways. Some examples of the effects of addiction in relationships include:
- An increase in fights or arguments, which can become violent
- Relapse due to stress within the relationship caused by addiction
- A breach in trust, such as lying about where you are and what you’re spending money on
Often, if a couple is fighting about substance use, this can create a vicious cycle. In this cycle, substance use causes conflict, which leads to more substance use to ease tension, and the conflict about substance use escalates. This downward spiral can feel impossible to escape from, especially if the substance use has lasted a long period of time. Fortunately, this is not the case. If you or your partner is having a problem with substance abuse, there are treatment options available.
When Addiction Is Harming the Relationship
It can sometimes be challenging to recognize when substance abuse begins to harm a relationship. Below are some of the common signs that addiction is starting to harm your relationship:
- You are constantly arguing about money, staying out late, responsibilities, trust, etc.
- You have to cover for your partner or make excuses for them to loved ones or co-workers.
- You or your partner claiming that you drink or use drugs because of the stress of the relationship
- Episodes of domestic violence
- Drinking or drug use is one of the few things you like to do together
- One or both partners need to be drunk or high to be affectionate or talk about the relationship
If even one of these signs feels familiar to you, it might be time to consider treatment in a 12-step treatment program.
Improve Your Relationship at BoardPrep Recovery Center®
The primary way to improve your relationship affected by addiction is through treatment. These treatments can vary depending on the severity of your condition and what works best for you or your partner. Treatment options may include treatments such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
At BoardPrep Recovery Center®, we highly recommend our 12-step treatment program for those whose substance abuse affects their relationship. Reach out to one of our healthcare professionals today to discuss a treatment plan at 866.796.4720.
