10 Survival Tips For Loving An Addict

People who struggle with substance abuse may be moody and unpredictable. This can make it hard to have a healthy relationship. You may come to a point in your life where you have to let go of an addict you love. This is often after they’ve refused treatment, or continued to use drugs despite your attempts to create boundaries and consequences.

• It is important to commit to your set boundaries and communicate with the person you love why you are needing to change your own behavior.
• But, with treatment, you and your partner can learn how to communicate better, resolve conflict, and build a stronger, healthier relationship.
• These might be parents, children, siblings, close friends or others who have a close relationship with the addict.
• His career began working in the accounting industry as a financial auditor.
• Going to rehabilitation does not mean they have chosen to stop abusing drugs.

Whatever substance your new love interest was addicted to, he or she can never take it again. One is too many and not enough all at the same time. Don’t even offer a drink to a recovering alcoholic, and support your partner’s abstinence by avoiding people and situations that can trigger a relapse. Your partner will probably thank you for your consideration. You may be concerned that a person struggling with addiction does not love you anymore and will always prefer to use drugs.

Ways Addicts Typically Behave in Relationships

Many people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol want to quit, but find themselves unable to do so without help. If your partner is struggling with addiction, know that they are likely dealing with a lot loving an addict of shame and guilt. Show them support and let them know that you’re there for them, no matter what. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.

Whether addicted to alcohol or drugs, identifying and acknowledging their addiction is the first step towards freeing yourself and your loved one from the cycle of addiction. As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client. What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential. In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display.

When Someone You Love is an Addict.

His parents also noticed a change in him, and his dad even asked me if he was doing drugs to which I denied . Even after I saw the drugs at home and I knew in my gut something was not right I didn’t tell his parents. Until one day he used our daughter in a lie and that made me snap. I spoke to his parents again and there were really supportive to begin with.

We may receive advertising fees if you follow links to promoted online therapy websites. Have a confidential, completely free conversation with a treatment provider about your financial options. Candace offers individual, couple, and family counseling in her Vancouver, British Columbia office and by telephone worldwide. From facing reality to rebuilding our lives, the strategies described by Plattor apply not only to those with an addict in their lives but to anyone impacted by poor choices made by others. Say “no” to the addict when you have to for your own sanity as well as for the sake of your loved one.