My Partner Is Getting Out Of Addiction: 6 Tips To Support Him
Life with an addicted person is extremely complicated since the addicted person, by not being fully aware of their actions, not only harms their own health but also punishes the people around them. In short, having a partner who suffers from an addiction such as alcohol, gambling, sex or psychoactive substances, results in a constantly damaged relationship.
Being in a relationship where the other party cannot control themselves since the addiction is more powerful than their will, makes questions like the following flood the mind: Is there any way to help the addicted person? Or, unfortunately, is it better to break up the relationship? Is it worth trying to get him rehabilitated? Am I a help or am I more of a hindrance? In today’s article, we will analyze the advice of specialists on the subject about how to provide support if our partner is leaving an addiction
Physical indicators are one of the first signs to look for if you want to know if your partner is addicted. Especially, people who use drugs are often focused on addiction without knowing it, that is, their entire world revolves around present consumption and future consumption. It is also important to analyze whether your partner is being influenced by a “toxic environment” in which addiction is common. Moving away from “healthy people” and “healthy environments” is the natural evolution when the person has to find a permissive place in which their addiction is socially acceptable and not questioned. Inevitably this leads to distancing ourselves from regular friendships or friends with whom we usually engage in healthy leisure or sports activities.
Likewise, financial problems can be a fairly common indicator that points to addiction. If a person used to have a smooth economy and suddenly stops having money, he may be spending all of his income on his addictive behavior. It is advisable to review your partner’s expenses, see if he uses the money in what he says or is hiding some expenses. In any case, sometimes suspicions of addictions may arise in our partner, making it difficult to talk about the matter with them, especially if they are reluctant to broach the subject. Although this fact confirms our fears, it will be necessary for the addict to begin to become aware of her situation and affirm it.
Tips to support your partner if they suffer from addiction
This situation within a couple is not easy to manage. It must be taken into account that, in some way, Both parties suffer from it directly and indirectly But if we know how to give the addict the space he requires, without leaving him aside, so that he can face the situation, we will be able to not deteriorate coexistence and, in turn, help him overcome the trance.
Below, we present a series of tips to support a couple who is leaving an addiction:
1. Talk clearly about it
It is important to have an open, sincere conversation, in which the addict can become aware of their situation and everything that awaits them In this regard, it is advisable to write down specific and detailed facts that have resulted from your addiction and explain them. Such as that it is harmful to your health, generates instability in the family, generates fear in you and the family about the present and the future and has caused economic damage.
Although you may be tempted, it is not beneficial for someone dealing with addiction to resort to threats of leaving the relationship. It is essential to remember that a person in recovery needs to feel appreciated and supported to undertake this challenge. However, It is crucial to directly express the situation and the necessary actions Clearly, she must realize for herself the value of facing the fight for the well-being of her partner, her children, and for self-respect.
3. Help him avoid the scenarios of his addiction
It can be a terrace, a friend, a neighborhood, etc. The important thing is to detect what stimuli trigger your addictive behavior and help you see that it is not convenient for you to be close to that group of people or those places and that it is better to change your environment as much as possible. This can sometimes even involve changes in work or social life habits: parties, social clubs, hobbies, etc.
4. Don’t cut off their freedom
It is important to talk about what the addict wants. That is to say, maintain a dialogue where you agree if you can accompany him to the places he goes, since this way, you can then tell him that you are helping him accomplish what he has set out to do. Your brake will be justified because he himself gave you permission before.
5. Don’t judge
Formulating judgments towards your partner is not constructive, in fact, it can be demotivating and generate tension in the relationship. Instead, as a partner, it is more effective to accompany her in her efforts and make clear your willingness to stand by her. Do not skimp on openly expressing your affection towards her, highlighting your preference to see her without her addiction. Ultimately, it’s crucial to provide new goals and horizons for you to strive for.
Addictions can weaken a person’s resolve. In this sense, it is essential to promote your strength through other approaches, such as work and physical activity. Through work or exercise, The person does not have free time that could trigger relapses In addition, he moves away from the environments where he used to consume alcohol or drugs, as we mentioned above.
