There are many reasons why you may feel it’s necessary to detach from someone with substance use disorder. Identifying your reasons can help you to move through the process in a thoughtful way. Substance use disorder may sometimes impact a person to the point of risking their job or housing. It may feel impossible to refuse to help a loved one in this situation.

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As long as they aren’t causing more harm to themselves or others in the process, you can show them that you respect their way of making positive changes. Shift from putting the blame all on them to taking responsibility for your part in the relationship. You should also try to find things that you enjoy doing for yourself, and you should work on creating the life that you want without the inclusion of the addict. We invite you to share your journey of recovery and be featured on Recovery Connection! Fill out the form below and one of our team members will reach out to help you get started. They will likely come up with elaborate stories to explain why they are getting sick so often or try to explain why they have to go to the bathroom so many times in a night.

Could Your Relationship Really Be an Addiction?

• If you decide to call an emergency number like 911, ask the operator to send someone trained in mental health, like Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) officers.
• Let Little Creek Recovery Center guide you down the right path to recovery, personal growth, and long-term sobriety.
• A true story that exemplifies the power of therapy and support groups is that of Lisa, a devoted partner of an addict.
• For example, if you frequently find yourself bailing the other person out, you can calmly let them know that you can no longer do this.
• Understanding addiction and providing support can help individuals on their journey to recovery and promote overall well-being.

It won’t take friends and family members long to figure out that your partner has an addiction. In fact, you might still be in denial long after they’ve reached that conclusion. Once it becomes obvious, you can expect your social invitations to decline as others start to avoid both of you.

How do addicts tend to behave in relationships?

No matter when you love an addict how many times your partner says they’re sorry, they’ll continue abusing your trust. Even the best intentions won’t make a difference if the addict or alcoholic continues to abuse substances. Once the recovery process has begun, it is essential for couples to work together to rebuild trust and emotional intimacy in their relationship.

• The high cost of maintaining the addiction can result in spending money on drugs or alcohol and neglecting bills and other financial responsibilities.
• If you’re not a fully functioning adult on your own two feet, any relationship you get into will be a codependent one.
• These co-occurring disorders can complicate an individual’s ability to manage their addiction and elevate the likelihood of relapse.

Over the years, what often brings people to my office is not necessarily the wish to end an addictive relationship—but the failure of the addictive relationship to work. Often friends are called upon to soothe the escalating anxiety, bear witness to the abuse, or help in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the addiction—only to hear that their friend is back with his addiction. Whether or not you choose to stay with the addict, and whether or not he or she will get help, you need help and support in dealing with the addiction, and eventually healing from it. Seeking your own recovery can often help you to better decide whether you should try to keep the relationship going or end it.