Get Help Today For Your Spouse And For Yourself
If you or your spouse are considering getting a divorce on the grounds of a present addiction, consider an attempt at treatment first. For more information on how to begin the treatment process, contact a treatment provider today. They can answer your questions and explore available treatment options.
- About
Jena Hilliard earned her Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida in English Literature. She has always had a passion for literature and the written word. Upon graduation, Jena found her purpose in educating the public on addiction and helping those that struggle with substance dependency find the best treatment options available.
Clinically Reviewed:
Theresa Parisi
- About
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
If Your Spouse Goes To Treatment Stay Supportive
In a best-case desirable scenario, the intervention works the way it is supposed to and your spouse goes to treatment. While they are receiving that treatment, there are things you can do to support them:
- Take care of yourself and your family give them something to come back to.
- Follow the recommendations of the treatment team.
- Participate in family therapy meetings.
- Most rehab facilities have a short adjustment period where phone calls and communication with the outside world are suspended. Respect that, and give your spouse the time they need to focus on their own recovery.
- Alternatively, when contact is allowed visit, write, and call.
- Stay POSITIVE in all of your conversation and letters.
- Be patient recovery is a process. Your spouse did not become addicted overnight. They wont recover overnight, either.
Is Your Husband An Alcoholic
Sometimes it can be hard to notice if your husband is drinking too much. Even if you spend a significant amount of time with your alcoholic partner, the warning signs can go unnoticed.
Your spouse may hide the signs of alcohol addiction, covering the frequency and volume they are drinking.
Although it can be difficult to admit, your husband may feel ashamed of his heavy drinking. This can lead to secretive behavior.
It is essential to familiarise yourself with the common signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction if you suspect your husband has an alcohol problem. By doing this, you can gauge whether your husband is showing one or more of the signs of alcohol addiction.
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If You Are Still Wondering If The Individual Is Abusing Drugs Or Alcohol These Are The Signs Of To Look For:
- Alcohol or drug use interferes with school or work activities because of being hungover or sick.
- The person drinks or uses drugs knowing that they will be driving, boating, or doing something else that would be risky if impaired.
- The individual experiences memory loss or blackouts.
- Accidents or injuries occur after drug or alcohol use.
- The person uses drugs or alcohol even though there are physical conditions that can worsen because of substance use.
Support For Couples In Rehab
Support groups can be a critical source of emotional strength for the spouse of a person in recovery. By connecting with other individuals who have gone through the same experiences, partners can learn new coping strategies and acquire a sense of hope for the future.
You can find support groups, such as 12 step programs, in your local area and communities. These programs can focus on helping individuals and couples share their experiences with substances, support each other with struggles to stay sober, and can provide companionship during stressful times.
Here are a few 12 step programs that can aid in addiction recovery and give you and your loved ones additional support:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
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Additional Support For Your Family
Children need help too. Figuring out how best to talk with your child about the addiction can be daunting, but there are a few key points to remember:
- Reinforce the idea that addiction is a disease. This means just like other diseases, with the right treatment, there are ways to effectively manage symptoms.
- Explain that while sometimes your spouse makes bad choices because of their addiction, that does not mean they are a bad person.
- Explain that addiction is not their fault. Sometimes children think their parents behavior is because of something they did or said. Make sure to explain to your kids that sometimes your spouses choices are impacted by their addiction and that has nothing to do with them.
- Keep communication open. After addressing your spouses addiction with your children, encourage them to ask questions and process their thoughts and feelings with you.
Living With A Partner Addict
With growing rates of many types of substance addiction across the U.S., more and more husbands and wives are waking up to the stark reality that their loved one, their partner for life, and their marital spouse in sickness and in health is a full-blown addict either addicted to legal or illicit drugs , or alcohol . Sometimes, it can even be both.
It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages. Friedrich Nietzsche, renowned German philosopher and essayist
In fact, an addicted spouse is one of the most common reasons cited in divorce papers, the cause of many marriages that end in failure and, ultimately, that end up floundering hopelessly in the divorce courts. Obviously, if children are involved as well, the whole emotional conundrum becomes even harder to solve, and, sadly, the prospect of actual treatment becomes more remote.
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Supporting Your Partner Through Recovery
It might be hard for you to believe, but your partner or spouse decided to go to recovery. This is certainly a time for celebration, but first, you need to take a step back. Your job is now to support him or her as much as you possibly can. There are several steps you should take to ensure that you are.
Reconciling Faith And Science In A Medical Crisis
Dr. Lee Warren is a neurosurgeon who has faced many heavy challenges in his life from serving in the Iraq War to removing deadly brain tumors to experiencing the loss of a teenage son. Hell share about his difficult quest to find answers to some of lifes toughest questions, while holding onto his faith in God and the sure hope of heaven
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Effective Habits To Embrace In Parenting
To be an effective parent, you must be a leader in your childs life, guiding with a gentle hand and setting a solid example. Dr. Randy Schroeder provides the insight you need to be a leader-parent. As he explores the foundational Rsrelationship, routines, responsibilities, and rulesyoull better understand the role you play in your childs life. Youll learn great phrases to employ such as Either/Or/You Decide and When You/Then You. While there is no perfect parent, this nuts-and-bolts material will equip you to lead your child in a loving, confident manner.
Knowing When And How To Leave A Drug Addict
Often, addiction affects the loved ones of addicts as much as it impacts the addicts themselves. This is definitely the case when it comes to the significant other of an addict. Many people who are the significant others of individuals who suffer from addiction wonder to themselves if they should end their relationships. In many cases, the answer to this question is yes. Although, there are times when it may be appropriate to stay in the relationship. Ending a relationship with a drug addict is difficult. So, knowing how to leave a drug addict is important.
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When To Leave An Addicted Spouse
Many people wonder when to leave an addicted spouse. Each person has to decide for themselves what the boundaries are in the relationship.
Remember that marriage is a legal contract. You are the one the police will call when your spouse has been arrested for a DUI. Youll be responsible for any shared debt incurred during marriage, so if your partner is running the credit cards up to the max to get cash advances to buy drugs, youre responsible for paying it back. Consider this when deciding whether to stay or go. Counseling can really help in these situations.
In order to keep yourself and your children safe, consider moving out temporarily or permanently in the following situations:
Knowing when to leave an addicted spouse is always difficult. Its heart-wrenching to leave behind someone who is sick. Yet in order to maintain your own sanity and to protect those you love, you may need to pack your bags and go.
Is Your Spouse Or Partner Willing To Change
This is an important question to ask as having a strong desire to change is key to achieving sobriety. If your spouse or partner is taking accountability for his or her actions and has a strong desire to attend rehab and change, this may be a sign that you can continue your romantic relationship with him or her.
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Statistics: Lets Look At The Numbers
In 2015, an estimated 27.1 million Americans, age 12 or older, were found using illicit drugs. Out of these nearly 30 million people, imagine how many of those were in relationships. As a spouse of an addict, you may find yourself struggling to feel understood. However, we assure you that youre not alone.
There were also 138.3 million Americans aged 12 or older, who reported current use of alcohol in 2015. These numbers portray a major problem. People are struggling and must seek help. It is not realistic to simply ignore the problem and expect it to go away.
No matter how isolated you may feel, we assure you that other spouses of addicts are going through similar challenges. Recognizing these issues and being aware of the problem is the first step.
How To Help An Individual Who Is Suffering From Substance Use Disorder
When a family realizes that one of the members drinking problem is probably alcoholism, it is a big step forward in handling the situation. The same is true when a family realizes that a persons drug use is likely an addiction. You may have suggested that they cut back, improve their behavior, not go out to bars as often, and stop spending time with other drug users.
Then you wait to see what happens. When there is no improvement, family members and close friends may begin to realize the seriousness of the problem. The individual is out of control of their drinking or drug use. He or she is likely to be physically and psychologically dependent on the substance and is compelled to drink or use.
There is a fine line between helping an individual and enabling him or her. It is important to avoid helping in a way that makes it easier for him to continue the addictive behavior.
When the person has been given chances to improve on their own and can not do it, it may be time for the family to step in. An addiction rehabilitation program is necessary.
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Why Some People Stay With An Addicted Spouse
When thinking about leaving an addicted spouse, it is common for people to feel anxious and uncertain. It is important to determine the source of these feelings before making a final decision about leaving.
Possible reasons someone may stay with their addicted spouse include:
- if children are involved
To Support Your Spouse First Take Care Of Yourself
Addiction is hard on both partners in a marriage. In order to support your spouse, you must take care of your own needs first.
Most people find that support from a therapist, a support group like Al-Anon, or both, are critical to living with a spouse who is addicted. This support can enable to set healthy boundaries from yourself and protect yourself as much as possible from the effects of substance abuse within your marriage.
Its also important to take care of your physical health. Make time to get exercise, eat healthy foods and have quiet time for yourself. Keep your therapy and healthcare providers appointments even if the behavior of your spouse gets in the way.
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Find Effective Treatment For Cocaine Addiction
Addiction is a serious disease. If your spouse is battling a cocaine addiction, they dont have to do it alone. Gateway Foundation specializes in customized, comprehensive cocaine addiction treatment. This highly personalized experience is catered to your spouses exact needs. Please contact us today to learn more.
The Dos And Donts Of Living With An Addicted Spouse
Dealing with an alcoholic or drug-addicted spouse will have a massive impact on a persons life physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. As a source of assistance in these troublesome times for you, here are some of the things you should try to do when living with an addict, and when trying to discuss their addiction with them. Please remember, in such difficult times, you are never alone.
The following advice applies not only to you the spouse of an addict but for anyone else living in the same home your children, other relatives, and friends.
Obviously, it would be far better if your addicted spouse would agree to treatment. However, getting them to that point is usually a major obstacle in itself, and can even prompt bursts of anger and outrage, especially if they believe that they are not even addicted in the first place. To that end, here is the right way to address their need for treatment when speaking with them about it.
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Get Help For Yourself
No matter what your addicted spouse decides to do, the next step you need to take is to find a source of support and help for YOU:
- Professional therapy Seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor will help you deal with all of the negative experiences that drug or alcoholism has exposed you to: domestic violence, trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, codependency, etc.
Helping Your Addicted Spouse At 12 Keys Rehab
You and your spouse can begin the journey to recovery together at 12 Keys Rehab. Located in Florida, 12 Keys Rehab offers a strong plan of recovery that includes body, mind, spirit and family to help addicts become free of drugs and alcohol.
At 12 Keys, your spouse will find plenty of support. Many of the staff have recovered from addiction themselves, so they know what your spouse is going through. The ratio of clients to staff is kept low so clients can always find someone to talk to or help them over a rough patch.
Your spouse will be treated like an individual at 12 Keys. We dont believe in a cookie-cutter approach to recovery. We know certain things are a must, such as complete abstinence from substance abuse, but we offer many therapies to help people chart their own personal course of recovery.
12 Keys offers group and individual counseling, 12-step meetings, holistic therapies and more to help people recover. Theres plenty of down time for rest and reflection, and if your spouse loves being near nature, our waterfront location is ideal.
We have a board-certified addiction psychiatrist on staff, Dr. Balta, to treat the medical issues related to addiction. Our staff includes therapists and others who can help your addicted spouse understand the disease of addiction and cope with cravings that can lead to relapse.
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Spouse Abusing Drugs Or Alcohol: The Physical Symptoms
Harmony Ridge Can Help Those Married To A Drug Addict
Harmony Ridge Recovery Center is an award-winning addiction treatment center in West Virginia. Weve won awards because we understand that every patient here has a different story.
A key portion of an addicts story is how they want to get better to be the spouse they once were. Marriage can be tough on its own. Adding addiction to the mix makes divorce seem inevitable.
Were here to tell you that addiction recovery can save a marriage. More than that, we offer personalized plans to ensure forever sobriety. Contact us now if you or a loved one needs help with addiction recovery.
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