Addiction and Marriage: Marital Support and the Road to Recovery

Is substance use taking a toll on your marriage?

More than 46 million Americans suffer from a substance use disorder, accounting for 16.5% of the entire U.S. population. If one of them is your spouse, you know firsthand what a toll substance use can take on both individuals and the people who love them.

The impact of substance use on marriage is widespread, and it’s normal to feel lost and scared. As for where you go from here, navigating addiction and marriage isn’t easy, but it is possible if both partners are committed to openness and support in substance use recovery.

Keep reading to learn more about recovery in the context of marriage, as well as support resources for spouses that can help ensure your own needs are met during the recovery process.

What It’s Like Being Married to Someone with an SUD

A marriage is an incredibly personal relationship. So, while not everyone will have the same experiences when substance use comes into play, there are some all-too-common ways that alcohol or drug use takes a toll on a marriage.

• Disruption of marital roles and relationships – Individuals who are battling substance use may be unable to show up in their marriages, and both partners may feel isolated and at odds in their marital relationship.

• Communication challenges – Individuals facing substance use disorder may be dishonest to their partners. They may also use substances as a way to avoid addressing painful topics and/or hide from their true feelings.

• Emotional and psychological harm – Worry, anger, and resentment may all be present in the home, and these can have acute and long-lasting effects on the emotional and psychological well-being of both partners.

If you are experiencing any of the above, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Substance use is a disorder with a lot of collateral damage, and families impacted by it are up against powerful negative forces. Despite these challenges, there are abundant resources and individuals equipped with the expertise to assist you and your spouse in progressing positively.

How to Deal with a Substance Dependent Spouse: Seeking Help and Recovery

You can’t force your spouse to get sober. Likewise, you can’t make a substance use issue go away by ignoring it. Overcoming substance use disorder takes targeted treatment and a long-term commitment to change. Your role as a partner is to offer a level of support that’s within your means – and to take care of your own mental well-being.

Try to remember that substance use disorder is a disease. Be patient throughout the recovery process, and avoid placing blame. While it’s easy to feel angry when you’re married to someone in recovery, coming from a place of compassion – both for your spouse and for yourself – is much more effective.

In addition to substance use treatment for your spouse, you should also seek appropriate help for couples and for your own mental health needs. Couples therapy and support groups for loved ones of individuals struggling with substance use and/or recovery (including NAMI Family Support Group, Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Families Anonymous) can be an amazing resource. We also encourage you to take advantage of Retreat Behavioral Health family support services and resources.

You may not be the one using drugs or alcohol, but recovery between spouses is a joint effort that often benefits from a holistic approach. Accept that the battle is likely to be a tough one, and prioritize self-care through lifestyle practices, therapy, and outward support. Above all, be true to yourself about your limits. We can’t always protect the ones we love, and sadly, there are instances where leaving is better than staying.

Retreat Behavioral Health’s Support for Marital Recovery

Overcoming substance use disorder is difficult, especially when you’re doing it alone. We encourage partners to actively participate in their loved one’s recovery and are here to help as you move forward to a more hopeful future.

Retreat mental health facilities offer hope and assistance for couples facing the many challenges of substance use disorder. Our focus is on an inclusive recovery process for both partners, with programs that allow the non-using spouse to be part of the recovery process in a healthy way.

Learn more about Retreat services, including family resources, and explore our comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs. Our door is always open to new patients, and we encourage you to contact us if you are in need of personalized assistance and family-centered substance use recovery services.