Introduction
Relationships are difficult under any circumstances. They take hard work, good communication, and commitment. This applies to any and all relationships, including people who are married as well as those who are just tentatively beginning to date.
When people struggle with substance abuse, however, these principles are all the more important – because relationships are put under a lot of strain when one or both partners struggle with addiction.
The negative impact that drugs and alcohol have on relationships can even make you wonder if it is possible for the relationship to recover at all. This is especially true when dealing with addiction and marriage.
Fortunately, with enough care, support, and patience, it is possible for even the most damaged relationships to recover after an addiction. This process of healing marriage after addiction can be a long journey, but it's definitely possible.
How Addiction Affects Marriages
Drug and alcohol abuse has a negative effect on any marriage. Drugs and alcohol dramatically change a person’s behavior. Alcohol, for instance, can cause people to engage in uninhibited, dangerous, and even sometimes violent behavior.
Mood swings can be dramatic and difficult to be around. Individuals who normally respond thoughtfully to situations may be liable to do something destructive instead. This can make them irresponsible with money, poor communicators, unreliable parents, and terrible spouses.
At worst, alcohol and other drugs can cause behavior that is absolutely unacceptable in any family environment, such as domestic abuse. This is the harsh reality of addiction in marriage.
It is not merely the effects of drugs and alcohol, however, that negatively impact marriages. When one partner has developed a psychological dependence on a substance, their behavior changes dramatically.
No matter how committed a person was to their marriage and family, addiction completely resets an individual’s priorities.
As addiction deepens, people find that they prefer abusing their drug of choice to any other activity – including spending time with their loved ones. The consequences of this shift in priorities can include neglecting family, loss of employment, and even criminal consequences. For non-addict spouses, it can feel like their partner has totally disappeared.
It is not just the person with the addiction who is affected, however. The non-addict spouse often changes their behavior to adapt to their situation. They may coddle their addicted partner and engage in enabling behaviors to prevent them from suffering.
Alternatively, or even at the same time, they may berate and rage at their addicted spouse. These behaviors are understandable, but they never solve the addiction problem nor heal the marriage. If anything, the result can be a vicious spiral for both partners.
The Importance of Mutual Respect and Trust When Drugs Are Involved
All healthy relationships are based on respect and trust. Rebuilding marriage after addiction brings this point home. After all, during a period of addiction, both respect and trust erode completely.
When addicted spouses “cheat” on you with drugs and alcohol, or when they hide their level of drug abuse from you, it is difficult to trust them when it comes to anything. The uninhibited and risky behavior that addicts engage in can also make it difficult to trust them with money, with parenting, or even with staying faithful. Over time, respect can also disappear completely.
Rebuilding marriage after addiction involves rebuilding trust and respect. This is not an overnight process. It is critical to understand that once trust is lost, it is no easy task to earn it back. Both partners must be patient with one another as they grow and make earnest attempts to do so. This process of rebuilding trust after addiction can be a long journey, but it's definitely possible.
How a Former Addict Can Rebuild Marriage
The most important thing a former addict can do to rebuild their marriage is focus on their recovery. Ultimately, there is no guarantee that a marriage can be rebuilt – sometimes things simply don’t work out.
However, it is certainly impossible to rebuild a marriage if one partner relapses and returns to their former drug-seeking behaviors. For this reason, no matter how counterintuitive it may seem, making oneself and one’s personal recovery the number one priority is the most important part of rebuilding a marriage after addiction.
Enrolling in an outpatient program and participating in therapy and support groups can be enormously beneficial in this regard.
There are also a number of behaviors and ways of thinking that former addicts should learn to cultivate to improve their marriages. Some of these skills are taught and reinforced in outpatient addiction recovery programs. These important new behaviors include:
Creating a Healthy Routine After Addiction
Addiction often causes people to spiral into unpredictable days, where literally anything can happen. As one recovers, it is important to develop consistency. This not only helps build trust in a relationship, it also makes it easier for a recovering addict to develop motivation and achieve their goals. Some aspects of a daily routine may include:
- Exercise
- Healthy meals
- Therapy
- Yoga, mindfulness, or meditation
- Attending support groups or 12-step meetings
Practice Open Communication
Addiction can make people withdrawn or even cause them to lie repeatedly. By practicing open communication, partners can rebuild trust in their marriage after addiction. Open communication involves being as honest and clear as possible. This means discussing even painful or difficult emotions. This may be challenging, but it will allow both individuals to grow.
Follow Through on Commitments
If you say you’re going to do something, do it. This can mean picking up kids from school, going to work, attending a rehab program, or simply doing chores around the house. It is important not only to follow through but to do things on time – and to do them to the best of your ability.
Relationships are all about learning to depend on each other – so make yourself dependable! This may be difficult, especially if your brain is still foggy after getting off of drugs and alcohol, but making an earnest attempt will help earn back your loved one’s respect.
Set Realistic Expectations
Rebuilding your life after addiction is a process that takes time. It's important to set realistic expectations for yourself and your spouse. Understand that there will be ups and downs and that progress may be slow. But every step forward is a step in the right direction.
Focus on the Future
While it's important to acknowledge the past, it's equally important to focus on the future. This means making plans and setting goals for your life and your marriage after addiction. This can help provide motivation and a sense of purpose.
Attend Therapy Together
Attending therapy together can be a powerful tool for repairing a marriage after addiction. It can provide a safe space to discuss issues, learn new communication skills, and work through any lingering resentment or anger.
What if it All Goes Wrong? What to Do?
There is no guarantee that any marriage will work out. Rebuilding a marriage after addiction is difficult. However, it is important to keep a positive and optimistic mindset. After all, it is possible for a person to recover from an addiction, and marriages also can be healed.
Keep in mind that no matter how bad things get, positive change is possible as long as it is pursued with determination and honesty.
Healing Marriage after Addiction
If you and your loved one are experiencing the negative consequences of addiction and your marriage is suffering, it is important to get help. Two dysfunctional individuals are rarely capable of healing their relationship entirely on their own.
Outpatient programs like NuView Treatment Center provide support, compassion, and evidence-based therapies to help people recover from substance use disorders and rebuild their lives. If you are both ready to make a change, reach out today and transform both of your lives. Your future together is only just beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, a marriage can be repaired after addiction. It requires commitment, patience, and hard work from both partners. It’s important to seek professional help, such as therapy or counseling, to navigate the complexities of addiction and its impact on the relationship.
Yes, you can have a successful relationship with a recovering addict. It’s important to remember that recovery is a lifelong process, and relapses can happen. Open communication, mutual respect, and understanding are key to maintaining a healthy relationship.
Sobriety can bring about significant changes in a person and their relationships. While it can be a challenging time, many marriages not only survive but thrive in sobriety. It’s important to seek support and guidance during this time, and to be patient with each other.
Letting go of someone you love with an addiction can be one of the hardest things to do. It’s important to remember that you can’t force someone to change or get help – they have to want it for themselves. Seek support from professionals or support groups, and remember to take care of your own mental and emotional health.
Written By
Dr Ryan Peterson