Loving an addict? Find life-changing help for both you and your spouse!

Addiction is an awful disease that negatively affects the addict and their loved ones. Watching the person you love deteriorate is upsetting, and you are directly affected by their behaviors. Being married to an addict means you’re legally bound to this person. How does all of this impact you? Here are some tips and insights below.

Impact on Spouses

Let’s say your spouse drives while intoxicated. Not only are you under emotional stress from worrying about them, but if you receive a call that your spouse was in an accident, you’re also under more stress and worry. You’ll also be responsible for paying for the hospital fees, legal fees, and any damage done to property or another car in the accident. If someone else was injured, you may even have a lawsuit to deal with.

Maintaining a Positive Outlook

Dealing with someone who is struggling with addiction can be emotionally challenging, but try to maintain a positive outlook for your own well-being. Focus on the steps you’re taking to create a healthier future, surround yourself with supportive people, and remind yourself that setting boundaries is an act of self-care, not guilt. Meditation can be a big help, too. Healing takes time, but by prioritizing your own growth and resilience, you can move forward with hope and strength.

Addiction at a Glance

It’s hard not to think if the person really loved you, they would stop abusing drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, addiction is more complicated than that. The Addiction Center explains that an addict’s brain is changed by addiction. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects areas of the brain that deal with reward, motivation, and memory. Addicts battle their disease throughout their lives, and many experience cycles of relapse and remission.

Addiction creates an inability to abstain and impairment in behavioral control. The addict experiences a craving or increased “hunger” for drugs or rewarding experiences that extends beyond normal cravings. All of this combines to create virtually no impulse control with high compulsivity and a lack of judgment. Addicts cannot recognize the problems with their behaviors, nor can they recognize the issues arising in their relationships.

Also Read: A Look At Food Addiction From The Lens Of Neuroscience

Cutting Ties

Although you may not wish to seek separation and cut your partner out of your life, sometimes circumstances are dire enough that this is the best option. If your loved one’s addiction is putting aspects of your own life in jeopardy—such as your job, housing, ability to care for children, or safety—then a legal separation and divorce may be necessary. In this case, an affidavit—a legal explanation of how the addiction impacted your life—may be necessary. When an affidavit is needed, it’s helpful to review what must be included.

Getting Treatment for Your Loved One

Psychology Today notes that the first step to helping your loved one get treatment is to gain as much knowledge as you can about addiction. Try to focus your research on your loved one’s specific addiction. Learn the signs and symptoms—both physical and behavioral—of using and abuse. For example, if your loved one has a heroin addiction, be aware of its specific side effects, symptoms when high, and withdrawal symptoms. Be aware of the lies that addicts typically use to cover up their addiction. You should also learn the best ways to bring up addiction in a conversation and research treatment options near you.

Remember that being abused is never okay, whether it’s physical abuse, emotional abuse, or manipulation, such as stealing money from you. If your life is ever in danger, seek professional help or call the National Domestic Hotline. You should also tend to your own well-being on a daily basis by eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, and getting adequate sleep.

For more information on being a loved one of an addict, visit Al-Anon, the largest support group for loved ones of individuals who are abusing alcohol or drugs in the world. With meetings across the United States, you can likely find one near you. And don’t forget to research rehab centers that can help treat your loved one. Trying to help your loved one and learning about their addiction is important, but you shouldn’t put your own health and well-being at risk. Sometimes cutting ties is the best option for you and your loved one.

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