Addictions in a marriage, how to cope?
One of the most important parts of raising children is socializing them correctly. An essential part of early socialization is involving children in play. Every generation of children had had times when they were heavily involved in playing with other children. However, more children have been recently uninvolved in play because they are becoming more immersed in other forms of entertainment that isolate them from other children, like video games and television. Why is play important for children? Our Delray Beach therapists explore more below.
Everyone has struggles. Some of these struggles make it hard to function daily, but for some people, the struggle is so intense that it can cause their loved ones great concern. It can be highly emotional and exhausting when you care about someone suffering from an addiction. Addictions affect not only the addict but also those around them. However, there are ways to cope with this challenging situation:
Caring for a partner with addiction is trying.
Caring for a partner with addiction is trying. While the person struggling with substance abuse or behavioral addiction is not the only one suffering, it’s important to note that their partner is also struggling. It’s essential to have a support network in place and to take care of yourself as well as possible.
It is not your fault.
It is not your fault. You cannot control the actions of another. You have the right to take care of yourself and your loved ones first, even if it means spending less time with the addict.
It’s okay to ask for help from friends and family members who can listen and support you through this difficult time. If you don’t feel comfortable discussing what is going on in your marriage, consider seeking individual counseling and marital therapy with a counselor specializing in addiction treatment (for both partners).
You cannot control the actions of another.
You cannot control the actions of another. You can only control your own actions and how you respond to the actions of another. This is a hard truth for many people to accept when dealing with addiction in their marriage or relationship. When one person in the relationship becomes addicted, it’s easy to take that as a personal insult or attack on who you are and how you see yourself in the world. It is essential to recognize that this is not true! Your spouse’s behavior does not mean anything about who you are; it simply means there is an issue that must be resolved.
You are allowed to take care of yourself.
You are allowed to take care of yourself. You cannot fix someone else, no matter how much you love them or want to. You are not responsible for the actions of another person, but you can offer support and encouragement through difficult times. Your spouse may feel guilty or shameful about their addiction, but it’s not up to you to provide the solution. Suppose your marriage is suffering because of an issue with substance abuse and alcoholism. In that case, it’s time to get help from an expert who knows what they’re doing when it comes to helping couples cope with addiction issues in marriages.
There is help out there, and it’s never too late to reach out
If you’re reading this and your relationship with your partner suffers from addiction, it doesn’t have to be this way. We can help you learn how to cope with the situation and get your life back on track.
To begin, we recommend talking to someone who has been through what you are going through —and knows how to help. Call us, and we will put you in touch with someone who understands how TMS works, what it can do for you, and how much hope there is for the future.
If you’re reading this and wondering if you are in a relationship with an addict, the answer is probably yes. Addiction can be insidious, slowly creeping into every area of life and eroding the foundation of your relationship over time. And while it may feel like an impossible situation to deal with alone, resources are available for those who need them. If you have been trying to help someone else get clean but still struggle with their addiction despite good intentions, please know that we understand—and we want to help!
Additional Resources
Coping with addiction in a marriage can be difficult and complex. It is essential to understand the effects of substance abuse on relationships and marriage[1], as well as the implications of different addictions such as compulsive overeating, pornography, gambling, and drugs or alcohol2][3]. It is also essential to recognize that an addicted spouse may prioritize their addiction over their family [3][4] and that this can lead to dangerous situations such as domestic violence or child endangerment[4]. Seeking professional help from organizations such as SAMHSA[5]can benefit both partners in the marriage.
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