They don’t have to go through it aloneand neither do you.
A partners attitude and view of recovery can make a huge difference.
Ive had patients whose partners lift them up and patients whose partners tear them down.
Tim Kitchen / Getty Images
It absolutely impacts their long-term success, explainsSylvie Stacy, MD, MPH, Medical Officer at Rehab.com.
Recovery is never linearit’s often a journey of progress, setbacks, and growth.
Addiction reprograms the brain, and recovery is a time-consuming process.
Most individuals go through cycles of relapse before establishing long-term sobriety.
It can also help a partner not to view arelapseas a failure.
Being mindful of the way the journey works can keep you from losing hope.
Anger, frustration at the situation, helplessness, and fear are normal feelings for a partner.
Recovery affects both people in the relationshipnot just the one with addiction.
Partners might feel stressed oranxious.
Also be aware of things that you shouldnt do.
[You] don’t blame, you don’t shame, and you don’t make any assumptions.
Being supportive means encouraging recovery and holding your partner accountable.
Enabling means shielding them from consequences or making excuses for their behavior.
Support comes in the form of listening andsetting boundaries, explains Dr. Stacy.
It helps if you are aware of these triggers and know how to help your partner deal with them.
Triggers are common for stress, certain social situations, being alone, or certain individuals/places.
The partner can assist by early identification of triggers, distraction of attention, and constructive coping skills.
A crisis plan for high-risk situations is also helpful, says Burse.
But its important that you not lose yourself in the process.
Puttingboundariesin place can help guide you.
I remember her saying, I love you, but I cant go through this cycle anymore.
Consider what jot down of behaviors are beyond your boundaries for you.
Another boundary may be giving yourself time and space to not be in a caregiver position.
Dealing With Relapses
Recovery rarely occurs as a straight line.
That means even though your partner is working diligently, they can still relapse.
In case of relapse, address the issue with concern instead of anger.
Encourage your partner to seek help and modify their recovery plan, Burse notes.
When you start to see signs, open communication can help your partner seek the help that they need.
Continue to care for and encourage them, while working not to neglect yourself in the process.
A partner can encourage and reinforce healthy choices.
Their role isnt to fix the problem.
American Addiction Centers.Alcohol and Drug Abuse Statistics (Facts About Addiction).
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction.
