Do both you and your spouse struggle with addiction? Are these struggles affecting your relationship — or other areas of your life – making it difficult for either of you to discover a life beyond active addiction? Many people fall into vicious cycles of toxic relationships with their significant others, especially when addiction is involved.
Marriage Counseling for Couples With Addiction
Let’s face it, relationships are tough. Couples, regardless of struggles with addiction, benefit from marriage counseling, couples therapy, or other professional services. You may struggle with a lack of communication or sometimes a general loss of connection.
When addiction is involved, professional services are sometimes inevitable. Some mental health professionals most often see relationships where one partner struggles with substance use or mental health disorders. However, it is common for both you and your partner to develop an addiction. In these scenarios, addiction affects you both and your relationship.
If you and your spouse struggle with addiction, recovery is possible. You can enter treatment on your own or attempt to achieve sobriety together. In fact, attending counseling together can benefit your recovery and your ability to support each other in recovery. A harsh reality to remember is that your partner may not want to seek treatment. If so, the relationship must end if you hope to achieve recovery for yourself.
Why Do You and Your Spouse Struggle With Addiction?
There is not a single reason why you and your spouse struggle with addiction. The cause of addiction in any person remains unknown, though research indicates that biological, environmental, and social factors impact the development of addiction.
With that in mind, relationships sometimes form from one commonality – addiction. It is common for two people to meet through mutual acquaintances associated with substance use. When that happens, substance use becomes the toxic foundation of your relationship.
Of course, relationships founded on substance use are not the only scenarios professionals encounter. You may develop an addiction for other reasons, such as work stress, financial struggles, or having kids before you’re ready.
The chances of you and your spouse both developing an addiction may seem slim, but it is possible. Unfortunately, couples who want to achieve recovery together must do some individual work. To understand why you and your spouse struggle with addiction, you must both dive into your past to unveil the root cause of the problem.
The Harm of Toxic Relationships
Toxic relationships filled with substance use have many harmful effects, and recognizing the signs of addiction is imperative. Any unhealthy relationship is dangerous. They can lead you or your partner to addiction, depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Recognizing the warning signs can be integral in your treatment journey. Avoiding toxicity is vital for recovering from a substance use disorder (SUD).
Staying in a toxic relationship may also make it harder to seek treatment. If untreated, addiction causes long-term damage to your major organs, leads to other mental disorders, and puts you at risk of death by overdose. Couples using together may not want the same thing. If your partner refuses to recognize the problem, you must walk away if you hope to live a life free from active addiction.
Seeking Treatment Together
As mentioned, couples can embark on their recovery journey together – but individual treatment is still necessary. Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) may be an option if you and your spouse seek sobriety. According to an article published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, BCT is “designed for married or cohabitating individuals seeking help for alcohol or drug abuse.” This method will aid in your recovery journey and improve the functionality of your relationship.
Post-treatment, you may consider continuing couples therapy as part of your relapse prevention plan. Couples therapy is often a helpful tool for your relationship, but you should also continue individual therapy post-treatment.
Why Individual Treatment Is Important
Despite seeking treatment together, you must not ignore individual therapy as you and your partner work toward sobriety. Earlier, we discussed how achieving recovery requires you to understand the root cause of the problem. Getting to the root cause of your addiction may be best practiced as an individual journey since it will require diving into your past or potential trauma. Many therapy options can help you discover the root, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). You will feel empowered to take control of your treatment and recovery when you focus on the individual aspects of the journey.
Seek Treatment Today if You and Your Spouse Struggle With Addiction
Do not hesitate to speak with your medical provider if you fear you and your spouse are struggling with addiction. There are several options to consider whether you embark on your recovery journey alone or together.
However, keep in mind that the worst thing an individual can do is not seek treatment for themselves. Your spouse may not be willing to recognize the dangers of untreated addiction. That does not mean you should suffer alone. If your spouse is opposed to treatment, seek it for yourself today.
Toxic relationships cause harm to individuals. Partners can develop depression, anxiety, addiction, and other disorders. Some relationships are founded on the commonality of substance use. Seeking treatment is imperative if you and your spouse struggle with addiction. Unfortunately, your spouse may not want to seek treatment. In that case, you must realize that the relationship will continue causing harm. You both can, however, embark on your journey to recovery together at Excel Treatment Center. We offer a variety of therapies that can help you and your spouse, including individual therapy, group therapy, and holistic therapies. To learn more about the options available at Excel, call us at (833) 883-9235 today.
