Drug addiction can destroy not only the addict, but also their entire family – and it’s one of the most difficult addictions to break out of. When you love someone with an addiction, it’s hard to know how to help them, whether you should confront them about it, and when to reach out for help at a drug rehab facility. This guide will teach you everything you need to know in order to make the right decisions in your situation.
Give Yourself Permission to Grieve
The first step is to give yourself permission to grieve. This isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign that you’re human. It’s natural to feel sad, scared, and even angry when addiction is tearing your life and relationship apart. Find a support group or therapist to help you deal with these feelings in a healthy way.
Understanding Codependency
It can be difficult to understand codependency if you’ve never heard of it before. Basically, codependency is when someone feels overly responsible for another person’s wellbeing. In a relationship, this can manifest as one person constantly trying to please their partner or fix their problems. Codependency can be harmful because it can lead to enabling behaviour, such as making excuses for a partner’s bad behaviour or continuing to support them financially even though they refuse to get help for their addiction.
Get Professional Help
It can be difficult to know how to help a loved one struggling with addiction, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Getting professional help at a rehab near you or addiction treatment program phoenix az is a critical step in making sure you and your spouse are getting the support you need. There are many resources available to help you navigate this difficult time.
Don’t Give Up on Your Relationship
It can be incredibly difficult to watch the one you love struggle with addiction. You may feel helpless, alone, and scared. But it’s important to remember that addiction is a disease, and like any other disease, it can be treated. There is hope for your relationship. Don’t give up on your spouse – or yourself.
Accept Things as They Are
It is natural to want to fix things and make them go back to the way they were. But addiction doesn’t work like that. The first step in helping your spouse is to accept that things are different now and that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. This can be incredibly difficult, but it’s important to remember that you cannot change or fix your spouse – only they can do that for themselves.
Share Your Feelings With Others
It’s natural to feel isolated when your spouse is struggling with addiction. You may feel like you’re the only one going through this, but that’s not true. Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about how you’re feeling. It can be helpful to share your story and hear how others have coped with similar situations.
Keep Moving Forward
It’s hard to watch someone you love suffer, especially when they’re struggling with addiction. It can be tempting to try to help them by yourself, but it’s important to remember that you can’t do it all. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your spouse. Here are some things to keep in mind if you find yourself in this situation.
