If you are the partner or family member of someone experiencing addiction, you may have been in this position for some time. Addicted partners can damage your life, whether you live in the same residence or not.
Loving someone with addiction is challenging. Even if they are sincere in getting help, it is not easy or fast to get the results they want. It is crucial that you know what you’re getting yourself into before making the ultimate decision on how you plan to proceed.
Read on!
You Are Dealing With Someone Different Now
People struggling with addiction often become different versions of themselves. Dealing with an addict can be hard, they may show unrecognizable traits as if they’re a whole new person. It is hard to watch a loved one suffer and it can be easy to become overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness.
The person with addiction may struggle to control their behaviors or impulses when influenced by substances. The once caring and thoughtful person can become distant and resentful. Communication may become strained and compromises must often be made. These changes can be difficult to accept and hard to navigate.
You Cannot Fix Them
There is a strong urge to try to help the person and take away all the pain they are going through. It can quickly become overwhelming to bear, and loving someone with an addiction can be a very lonely and frustrating journey.
You cannot fix someone with an addiction no matter how hard you try. It is important to remember that only the individual struggling with the addiction can make the choice to seek help and attempt to turn their life around.
The best help you can give is to introduce them to different types of addiction recovery centers. Ultimately, it is the addict’s responsibility to take the appropriate steps to receive a recovery.
Your Boundaries Are Important
It is important to set boundaries and realize that addiction is a chronic illness and it is not within your power to fix it. Loving an addict despite their flaws is crucial, but not at the expense of your own well-being.
It is important to nurture your own needs and not sacrifice important aspects of your life such as your values and self-care while trying to show your love and care. Boundaries can help enforce limits of what is or isn’t okay and protect yourself when their behaviors threaten your freedom.
Setting boundaries and having clear expectations is healthy for you and for the person you love, as it reinforces respect for yourself, and for the other person. It can create a safe, loving space for both of you and also make clear what will not be tolerated.
A Guide to Loving Someone With Addiction
Loving someone with addiction is often not spoken about publicly, leaving loved ones feeling alone and uncertain. It’s essential for the loved ones to remember that addiction doesn’t define a person, treatment does.
It’s important to reach out for the necessary help in order for loved ones to better understand the situation and move forward. Reach out today and get the support you need.
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