How to Support a Partner With Addiction

Supporting a partner dealing with addiction can be one of the most difficult challenges in a relationship. Addiction affects not only the individual facing substance use issues but also everyone around them, particularly their loved ones. Understanding how to support a partner with addiction can be one of the most challenging parts of this journey.

Those who love someone with an addiction often experience a whirlwind of emotions. They may find it challenging to provide help that is both constructive and healthy for both parties involved.

It’s crucial to recognize that addiction is a disease rather than a choice, and the path to recovery is often lengthy and unpredictable. Research published in the journal Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment indicates that social connections outside of formal drug addiction treatment play a vital role in the successful recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs).

Being supportive of your partner can significantly influence their recovery journey. It’s important to find a balance between offering your partner’s assistance and taking care of your own well-being. While there are no definitive rules for managing a partner’s substance abuse, there are effective strategies you can adopt to provide better support.

Can a Relationship Survive Addiction?

The impact of addiction on a relationship is often profound. Research published in Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs indicates that sharing a life, including parenting, with someone struggling with substance use issues impacts every facet of an individual’s life, as they are affected by their partner’s ups and downs.

However, recovery is possible when both individuals are willing to engage in healing processes and work through the challenges together. With compassion, understanding, and a joint determination to overcome the addiction, a relationship can not only survive but also thrive.

Seeking professional assistance is a vital step in addressing addiction within a partnership. Trained therapists, counselors, and addiction experts are essential in offering guidance, support, and evidence-based interventions.

Couples or family therapy in addiction treatment can assist partners in navigating the intricacies of addiction, creating a safe environment for honest dialogue, rebuilding trust, and fostering healthier interaction patterns.

Nonetheless, partners should recognize when it may be necessary to leave a relationship, understanding that their own well-being is just as vital. If the relationship becomes detrimental to one’s mental, emotional, or physical health, it may be time to consider moving on.

What Are the First Steps in Supporting a Partner Struggling with Addiction?

When someone you love is struggling with addiction, it can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even isolating. However, your support during this difficult time is vital for their recovery.
While you may not have all the solutions, taking the proper initial steps can significantly impact your healing journey.

Here’s how you can start supporting your partner through addiction:

• Learn About Addiction – Recognizing that addiction is a disease is a fundamental first step. Take the time to educate yourself on how it affects the brain and behavior, including its symptoms, triggers, and available treatments, to understand your partner’s experience better.
• Communicate with Empathy and Without Judgment – Discussing addiction can be challenging, so it’s important to foster a safe, open, and judgment-free environment for dialogue. Approach the situation with compassion rather than anger, frustration, blame, or shame.
• Seek External Support – Don’t hesitate to reach out for help and advice from friends, family, or individuals in recovery who can relate to your situation. Consider connecting with peer support groups like Al-Anon or consulting a therapist or counselor for guidance.
• Promote Professional Help – Encourage your partner to pursue professional treatment options, including therapy, counseling, or joining support groups such as NA or AA. You can also offer to help them find a treatment program or accompany them to therapy sessions.
• Establish Boundaries and Prioritize Self-Care – Supporting someone with addiction can be emotionally draining, so it’s essential to prioritize your own well-being. Setting healthy boundaries is vital for your mental health and creating an environment where your partner can take responsibility for their recovery.

How Do You Set Boundaries While Supporting a Partner with Addiction?

Establishing boundaries while supporting a partner struggling with addiction is vital for preserving your own mental, emotional, and physical well-being, as well as encouraging your partner to take accountability for their choices.

WebMD emphasizes that these boundaries must be firm; otherwise, your partner may discover a limit to your resolve when you eventually relent to their demands.

Setting boundaries is important for your health and can motivate your partner to pursue treatment. Here are some effective strategies for creating boundaries that promote a healthy environment and relationship to enjoy the benefits of sobriety:

1. Identify what behaviors you are willing to tolerate and where you need to draw the line.
2. Clearly communicate these boundaries and outline the consequences if they are violated.
3. Establish explicit expectations regarding abstaining from substance use.
4. Take decisive action if your boundaries are breached.
5. Refrain from enabling behaviors, such as making excuses or covering up for your partner’s addiction.

What Are the Signs That Your Partner Needs Immediate Help With Their Addiction?

Addiction is a progressive illness, and its detrimental impact on an individual’s life intensifies as the condition deteriorates. In the context of relationships, particularly intimate ones, it can be challenging to identify when the addiction has escalated to a level that necessitates professional help.

Many individuals may try to manage their addiction independently or remain in a state of denial. Given its complex and multifaceted nature, addiction often demands specialized treatment and support.

It is essential to recognize the warning signs that your partner may urgently need assistance, as this is vital for both their health and your own. If you have concerns about your partner’s behavior and substance use, here are some critical indicators that suggest it’s time to seek help immediately.

• They struggle to stop or manage their substance use, often making repeated attempts to quit without success.
• They show noticeable changes in appearance or a decline in their physical health.
• They display severe mood fluctuations or shifts in personality.
• They experience intense cravings or urges to use the substance.
• They neglect important personal responsibilities, including work, school, or family obligations.
• They encounter legal or financial troubles, such as arrests, mounting debt, or job loss linked to their substance use.
• They withdraw from social interactions with friends and family.
• They engage in hazardous behaviors, including self-harm or driving while impaired.
• They suffer from withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance, which may include headaches, sweating, shaking, irritability, and in severe cases, seizures.
• They express thoughts or intentions of self-harm or suicide.

How Resurgence Behavioral Health Can Help You Learn How to Support a Partner With Addiction

Knowing how to Support a partner with addiction involves fostering an environment of compassion, patience, and understanding. Understanding the complexities of addiction, offering emotional support, and encouraging your partner to seek professional help are crucial steps toward recovery.

Remember, you are not alone in this process; Resurgence Behavioral Health is dedicated to helping you and your partner navigate each phase of healing. Our comprehensive treatment programs focus on identifying and addressing the root causes of addiction while also mending the various aspects of life impacted by substance abuse, including relationships through family and couples therapy.

If you and your partner are ready to take the first step toward recovery, contact Resurgence Behavioral Health in California today at 855-458-0050.

External Sources

• Substance Use: Research and Treatment – How Social Relationships Influence Substance Use Disorder Recovery: A Collaborative Narrative Study
• Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs – Experiencing substance use problems in a partner
• WebMD – Are You Enabling a Loved One’s Addiction?

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial