If you’re having a hard time identifying these negative emotions, that’s okay. It’s human to feel a wide range of emotions as you go through this process. The important thing is to recognize them for what they are so that you can name them and begin to let them go. Once you’ve identified the negative emotions that are holding you back, you can start to work on healing. The non-addict spouse may have high expectations for drug addiction long-missed intimacy and be disappointed when it doesn’t materialize.
Rebuilding Trust in Recovery
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it is important to get treatment. At Asheville Recovery Center treatment specialists utilize a 12-step program and practice holistic rehabilitation. We don’t want to acknowledge that we’re experiencing withdrawal, let alone ask for help. With each passing day, though, you and your spouse are growing further and further apart. You may feel like you’re at each other’s throats more than usual. You may even begin to wonder if your marriage can survive.
- The person with the substance abuse disorder has become dependent and unreliable while the other is the super fixer.
- You have to learn to say no to people and situations that are toxic.
- If the partner living with SUD hasn’t found healthy ways to cope with the trauma or PTSD, then it could begin to affect them in negative ways.
- In new sobriety, couples don’t know how to talk to one another.
There’s not one definitive outcome to this process.
If you’re struggling with addiction, it’s important to seek help from a treatment center like Northpoint Recovery. Addiction treatment can help you get to the root of your addiction and learn how to manage your triggers and cravings. It can also give you the tools you need to rebuild your marriage after sobriety. Another big challenge of being married to someone who is not sober is avoiding codependency.
The Role of Soberlink in Recovery and Rebuilding Trust
(To understand the impact of shame on relationships and codependent symptoms, see Conquering Shame and Codependency). Partners eventually need to heal deeper issues of shame and learn to be autonomous and communicate assertively. The person has a hard time fending off urges to re-indulge in substance abuse daily. There is anxiety that the person with the substance use disorder used to cover and avoid a slip. Some people use drugs to hide difficult feelings and marriage after sobriety go through a difficult situations. And this time, the person will have to go through these situations rock sober.
One way to strengthen your relationship before getting married is by attending couples counseling. This can help address any underlying issues that may arise during your time in recovery and provide a safe space for open communication. A therapist can also assess if both partners are truly ready for marriage and help address any concerns or doubts. But those aren’t the important numbers – not to me, anyway. At least I can’t find where this subset has ever been studied.
- “I’m always thinking about the future and quite a forward-thinking kind of person …
- This may be compounded by the addict’s commitment to put sobriety first.
- Both partners should feel free to express their needs and wants without fear of judgment or reprisal.
- Stephens cites this kind of support as evidence that, with her marriage, she is “one of the lucky ones,” but her husband made it clear that he feels luck was on his side as well.
- Alcoholism, medically known as Alcohol Use Disorder, involves a pattern of alcohol misuse that leads to significant distress, causing problems in relationships and daily activities.
Introduction: The Challenge of Alcoholism in Marriage
In a relationship affected by substance use, it’s likely that trust has been broken many times. The supportive partner may have learned to walk on eggshells in an attempt to retain peace in the relationship. If opioid addiction is impacting your life or the life of someone you care about, reach out to our treatment center. We are here to provide the support and care you need to take the first step toward recovery. A common mistake when trying to repair a romantic relationship is performing big gestures of redemption. However, rebuilding trust in recovery is a long-term process based on doing the little things well and consistently.
