Recovering Addicts and Relationships: What to Expect

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Dating an addict in recovery might be difficult, but it can also be a rewarding experience. Addiction is an illness, but that doesn’t imply that a person is helpless, narrow-minded, or incapable of loving. Although addiction is stigmatized, many people who suffer from it find ways to overcome it and lead sober lives.

When dating someone with distinct life experiences, it’s necessary that you know where they are coming from. Consider yourself in their position and understand what life is like when recovering from addiction. So, if you feel you are ready to date an addict in recovery, make sure you are prepared and willing to commit.

The Challenges in Dating a Recovering Drug Addict

Although each person’s experience is different, many people who date people in recovery have been shown to have similar challenges. Over time, addiction may continue to have an impact on your relationship. Understanding the possible difficulties that may arise is very important when you date an addict in recovery.

Relapse

Relapse in addiction refers to a return to substance use or other addictive behaviors after a period of abstinence or decreased use. It is a common occurrence in the recovery process and can happen at any stage of the journey. Relapse is typically triggered by a variety of factors, such as stress, trauma, and any underlying mental health conditions.

Relapse is not a failure, but it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Take this difficult time as an advantage to have good communication as a couple. Discuss how the relapse is affecting you and your relationship openly and honestly. It may be difficult and emotional, but it’s important to talk about it and try to find ways forward together.

Trust Issues

Trust can be a significant issue when dating someone with a history of addiction. Trust is an important aspect of any relationship and can be difficult to build and maintain, especially with someone who has a history of addiction.

Open and honest communication is key to building and maintaining trust. Set limits and establish trust-building behaviors. It is necessary to be clear about what you need to feel safe and secure in the relationship. Remember, trust can be built over time with the effort of both partners.

Emotional Instability

Emotional instability is a tendency to experience intense or rapidly changing emotions. People experiencing emotional instability may have difficulty regulating their feelings, which can lead to mood swings, impulsivity, and difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships.

Dating a recovering addict can be emotionally challenging because of how unpredictable and unstable addiction can be for them. Try to be as patient as you can and understand your partner’s journey and progress as much as possible.

Prioritizing Recovery

Prioritizing recovery involves making a commitment to change and taking active steps to achieve that change. Know that an individual in recovery may need to spend time attending meetings, therapy, or other appointments. This will require them to miss dates and spend less time with you. As a partner, you should learn about their needs and support them with their recovery efforts.

Coping Mechanism

An individual in recovery may have different coping mechanisms or ways of dealing with stress, which may be difficult for the partner to understand or accept. It’s important to have healthy coping mechanisms in place. Discuss with your partner what you can and cannot handle, and make sure your other significant other is doing the same.

Codependency

When dating a recovering addict, you must understand the likelihood of codependency. Codependency refers to the habit of encouraging or enabling destructive behaviors in others. To take care of the one who is battling with addiction, codependents may sacrifice their own needs, wants, and well-being. Seeking professional help can be beneficial for both partners in addressing and overcoming codependency in addiction.

Keep in mind that recovery is a long process. The ability to encourage one another and the willingness to cooperate as a couple are essential for overcoming these challenges.

The Benefits of Dating a Recovering Drug Addict

While there are various difficulties that one may encounter, dating someone in recovery from addiction can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience too.

You Become More Empathetic and Understanding

Being in a relationship with someone who has gone through the recovery process can deepen your understanding of addiction and the impact it has on individuals and families. It allows you to appreciate your partner’s experiences and emotions, which can help strengthen your bond and build trust. Empathy and understanding are important qualities for a stronger relationship.  It brings couples closer together as they work through difficult times and supports one another.

You Gain Support and Learn New Things

Dating someone in addiction recovery has several benefits, including gaining support. Support can help you feel safe, understood, and validated in a relationship. It prevents you from feeling isolated and having a low sense of self-worth.  In addition, being with a partner who is in recovery allows you to learn new things based on their own knowledge and experiences.

More Room for Growth and Self-Discovery

Opportunities for growth and self-discovery are another benefit of dating a recovering addict. It can help you learn more about self-care, emotional and mental well-being, and good behavior. Recovery addicts are known to be responsible. They take ownership of their actions and choices, either physically or mentally. They are more likely to engage in healthy habits and activities in which you may participate.

You Develop Certain Emotional Maturity

You can develop a certain level of emotional maturity by dating an addict who is in recovery. Addicts in recovery have put forth a lot of effort to understand and manage their emotions. They are good at handling their feelings and managing situations in a more beneficial way than others who have never battled addiction.

Helping a Partner vs Enabling a Partner: The Differences You Should Know

It is in our nature to care for and support others, especially those who are close to us. However, when it comes to addiction recovery, you should know the difference between supporting a partner and enabling them.

Basically, to support a partner is to help them perform or accomplish a task that they are unable to do on their own. When it comes to drugs, it’s helping them avoid the vice, a behavioral trait that helps someone take charge of something.

On the other hand, enabling refers to actions or behaviors that unintentionally support a loved one’s addiction. Enabling removes the consequences or difficulties an individual would have to face as a result of their substance use.

In a relationship, enabling can have a negative impact by allowing the addicted partner to continue their problematic behavior without facing the possible negative result.  Enabling a partner typically focuses solely on their partner’s addiction rather than their overall well-being. The enabler usually covers up or makes excuses for their addicted partner’s actions.

5 Best Ways to Support A Recovering Addict

You must love your significant other through the addiction recovery process and show them support. Here are the best ways to do so:

Learn About Addiction and Recovery

Addiction is very complex, and recovery may be one of the biggest hurdles that most people can face. The greatest way for a loved one to support an addict is by understanding the many aspects of addiction and recovery, including potential triggers, health problems, and the psychological changes that it may bring. Having knowledge will make it much easier for you to support and relate to your recovering addict partner, and you will also be much better able to help avoid relapse.

Accept Your Partner Without Any Judgment

Many recovering addicts feel condemned by their families and friends. As a partner, you should try to avoid criticism and negativity as much as possible. Accept their overall well-being with all your heart, show your affection, and appreciate them.

Be Patience

Recognize that nothing happens overnight. Even if someone is in recovery, they may still participate in unhealthy behaviors or make bad choices. Healing and progress will take time, and recovery is much more than avoiding drugs.  Relapses and other setbacks do occur, too. If they do, continue to be patient with yourself and your loved one while expressing your love, care, and support.

Set Boundaries

All relationships need to have boundaries. Setting boundaries means creating clear and healthy limits in relationships with individuals who struggle with addiction. It involves communicating expectations and consequences related to addictive behavior and upholding those limits consistently. The purpose of setting boundaries is to protect one’s own well-being while also encouraging the addict to take responsibility for their actions and seek help. This can involve declining to participate in activities that enable their addiction, setting consequences for relapses, or seeking outside support. The ultimate goal is to establish a healthier, more supportive dynamic that can help the addict in their recovery journey.

Reach out for Help

Reaching out reduces the stigma associated with addiction. Studies have shown that individuals who reach out for help have better outcomes in their recovery journey compared to those who do not seek help. Encourage your significant other to seek help from professionals. This might be a difficult step to take, but it can make all the difference. Trained professionals can provide valuable insight and useful advice to help you break free from the chains of addiction. They can help you provide the necessary resources you need to create positive changes in your life.

When is the Right Time to Consider Leaving a Partner?

No one should have to tolerate an unhealthy relationship, and when it comes to an addicted partner, the situation can be especially difficult. If your partner’s addiction is causing problems in your relationship, it’s important to assess the situation and determine if it’s worth staying or if it’s time to consider leaving.

Take time to assess the situation, weigh the pros and cons, and make the best decision for yourself and your partner. If the addict’s addiction is having a severe negative impact on your relationship and you feel like you have done everything but nothing has improved, it may be time to consider leaving. Get help and support from a qualified professional to make the process as smooth as possible.

The Best Help is Available from Live Free Recovery Services

Live Free Recovery Services offer the right tools and support that can help you and your addicted partner make strides toward a healthier and happier life. We offer comprehensive addiction treatment and a variety of services to help individuals with substance use disorders. Take the first step and contact us today!