How Do You Support Your Sober Partner in Recovery? 13 Real Strategies

When a partner feels as though their other half’s commitment has wavered, dissatisfaction and restlessness can brew—making it a natural time for spouses to point the finger at their marriage. Now, at a comfortable point where the novelty of the marriage has worn off, they might start to question their compatibility or long-term happiness with their spouse. It may even feel like a natural course of action for spouses to scrutinize their marriage before anything else—because it’s one of the most constant aspects of their lives.

The partner who has a substance use disorder

Get to know the “new” version of your spouse (or help your spouse become acquainted with the “new” you). Patiently work on rebuilding communication, trust, support, respect, and intimacy. Consequently, when life starts to feel monotonous or unfulfilling, it’s easy to see one’s marriage as the source of the itch—nudging them to look at it with a closer, more cynical https://ecosoberhouse.com/ eye. And from a psychological standpoint, taking a closer look at one’s marriage around the seven-year mark might not only feel natural, but it might actually be warranted too. Both will have to learn how to speak to each other all over again. The over-responsible partner will have to relinquish some of the powers they had acquired during the addiction period.

How Do You Support Your Sober Partner in Recovery? 11 Real Strategies

• Try not to enable their substance use behaviors, but also try to release expectations of perfection.
• The survival of the marriage will depend on whether both of them are reading from the same page and are willing to make amends and offer support whenever possible.
• Quickly this turned into a passion to help others that led to study the treatment industry top to bottom.
• It consists of biological, psychological, and social elements that contribute to the onset and ongoing existence of addiction.

Just like a garden, relationships require constant maintenance. Without occasional weeding, watering or pruning, we know a garden will inevitably lose value. However, the seventh marriage after sobriety year of marriage is marked by a noticeable drop in which these displays of commitment decrease. Given this decline, the seven-year itch might not always be a coincidence.

SUGGEST SOBER ACTIVITIES

I was attracted to his sensibilities and the ease with which he could be just as comfortable in his business suit as his biking gear. In early recovery, his affect was very abrupt, and his affection felt stiff. Was a sober Bill, a man with a very different personality? Those questions haunted me for a long time as Bill struggled to reconnect with his emotions. The antidepressant played havoc on his mind and body.

• Of course, the addict’s ability to maintain sobriety will be essential to your ability to maintain the marriage as well.
• One small study conducted in Iran found that training in positive thinking skills improves hope and quality of life in individuals with drug dependency.
• It can also give you the tools you need to rebuild your marriage after sobriety.
• It is vital for couples to have outside support during this time.

Addiction Treatment Services

• He didn’t have a job and was struggling to find one because the country where we live is a bit tricky for job-seeking male spouses.
• That could include individual or couples counseling when necessary for relationship tune-ups, or checking in regularly with their support groups.
• However, it is rare to read a book that integrates the parallel recovery process that is necessary for couples in which one individual is in sobriety and the other is not.
• It will hurt (pretty bad at first), but in time you will come to see it as the gift it is—and you won’t waste time getting to know the wrong person.

• Alcohol abuse can contribute to marital conflict, infidelity, domestic violence, unplanned pregnancy, and financial instability.
• I experienced it as his fear that I would not love him if I really knew him.
• If your partner is severely addicted or has failed to get sober in the past, it may be necessary to explore treatment options, like Gratitude Lodge.
• It’s common for marriages with alcoholicpartners to get into physical altercations, struggle with financial difficulties, and place strain on all family members.

Making amends and rebuilding trust