Navigating a marriage with a spouse who struggles with a substance use disorder (SUD) can feel like walking through quicksand. It can be challenging to find solid ground with a foundation to rebuild the relationship. This painful journey often means watching as the person they love changes and struggles with their substance use. As a result, addiction leads to many negative consequences not only for the spouse with the addiction but for those closest to them. The first step to healing is seeking professional addiction treatment. Couples may then wonder, “Do marriages last after rehab?”
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Repairing a Marriage Affected by Addiction
Addiction can have a devastating impact on intimate relationships. Partners of those struggling with addiction, whether it is alcohol or drug addiction, may feel neglected and betrayed. As a result, the partner feels resentment, fear, anger, and mistrust. These unresolved feelings often lead to more serious personal issues such as depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
Intimate partners often endure lying, and emotional detachment, along with potentially dangerous consequences such as exposure to criminal behavior and emotional, verbal, or physical abuse. Additionally, addiction strains finances when money is diverted away from crucial household expenses to fund the addiction. This financial burden can further worsen underlying tensions and become a source of ongoing stress and conflict between partners.
Addiction devastates intimate relationships. A heartbreaking reality for couples is the destructive cycle of using alcohol or drugs as a way of easing conflict, which then leads to more conflict. But, there is hope. With effective strategies in place that help both partners understand how to work together toward recovery, these relationships have an opportunity to find peace and healing. There are pathways for couples who are trapped in the cycle of conflict and addiction.
Rebuilding Trust
Trust is a fragile thing that can take time to rebuild. Someone in recovery may feel overwhelmed by the task of rebuilding trust in relationships. Even when they are no longer using drugs or alcohol, they become frustrated when no one trusts them and loved ones are waiting for them to make a mistake—or relapse. However, there are steps they can take to create trust and connection with those closest to them. Also, it’s important during this vulnerable period after rehab to focus on finding ways to relieve stress while actively pursuing positive interactions with loved ones.
Fulfilling Commitments
Married couples promise lives of commitment and unconditional love. When someone makes a commitment to their spouse, it is essential to follow it through, and without this dedication, it will be tough to regain their trust. Without trust, it may be challenging if not impossible to rebuild a marriage after rehab. When someone in recovery takes positive steps to improve their life, they regain confidence in themselves. Doing this will simultaneously help their partner realize that they are committed to their recovery and marriage.
Creating a Healthy Routine
Creating a healthy routine after rehab helps people in early recovery improve mental and physical health. In turn, this provides motivation and positivity. Additionally, this will benefit the marriage as this new positive outlook and healthy habits rub off on their partner.
A healthy daily routine could include:
- Healthy meals
- Exercise
- Attending twelve-step meetings
- Counseling
- Journaling
- Meditation, mindfulness, or yoga
Openly Communicate
Throughout addiction, people often shut out their intimate partners. Therefore, it is crucial to clearly and honestly communicate with one another during recovery. Without transparency and honesty, it will be difficult for the partner to trust again. Addiction is chronic, so having open communication will enable intimate partners to better understand each other and leads to better recovery outcomes.
Be Patient
Don’t feel disheartened if things aren’t fixed straight away. Rebuilding a marriage will take a lot of hard work, dedication, and consistency. However, little by little, through proving themselves and their ability to transform, partners can begin to have confidence again. As a result, the cracks in the foundation of the marriage will start to heal.
Attend Counseling
Addiction in a marriage can be a tremendous challenge to overcome. As such, reaching out for help is an important step in the recovery process. Counseling sessions with a professional therapist provide effective relationship tools to help marriages last after rehab. Accordingly, couples learn improved critical communication strategies. Also, during therapy, they can address any underlying issues that may have been impacted by addiction.
It’s equally beneficial if both partners actively participate in support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or Al-Anon. Doing so builds an understanding of how to manage addiction while fostering respect and compassion toward each other. This approach paves the way forward together on a journey of healing.
Writing Things Down
Writing things down can be a great way to untangle thoughts and emotions. Moreover, writing can feel very cathartic and helps people feel more in control. In turn, they will be able to communicate better with their partner.
Having a conversation with a partner about complex subjects may feel daunting. With this in mind, writing things down, perhaps in the form of a letter, may help. This gives someone more control over what to say and allows them to plan what they would like to say without feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
Will My Marriage Last After Rehab?
So, to answer the question, “Do marriages last after rehab?” The answer is yes, marriages can last after rehab. With dedication, effective communication, and an unwavering commitment from both parties, it is possible to rebuild a marriage after one partner goes through rehab. Accordingly, with the proper support in place and a clear understanding of each other’s needs, couples can create an even stronger bond than before. It takes hard work and perseverance but is achievable with the right approach.
Well then, what about the question, “Do marriages last after rehab when both partners suffer from addiction?” Again, the answer is yes, couples can recover together. Marriage isn’t always a walk in the park. However, add drugs and alcohol to the equation, and everything intensifies. Addictive behaviors can tear the fabric of any relationship.
When two people share a home, they’re going to have an influence on each other. Furthermore, if someone shares a home, and their life, with an addict, they have the risk to become addicted themselves. The transition to life after rehab has proven difficult for many couples. Often, in the early days of recovery, one partner tries to focus on the other partner’s addiction. This may seem like good intentions, however, it is usually a result of co-dependency.
Each partner should receive individual treatment before starting crucial couples counseling to decrease the risk of relapse for both partners. Maintaining sobriety as a couple requires true partnership to achieve a balance between recovery and relationship. Finding unity in both recoveries, along with fostering friendship within the marriage can help create an even deeper bond for many couples struggling through addiction together.
Start the Journey to Healing and Recovery
Putting a marriage back together after rehab won’t be easy, but it can be done with hard work, patience, and communication. Professional help is recommended as a couple works to rebuild their relationship. At Tulip Hill Recovery in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, we are a family-run facility offering comprehensive rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. We understand healing involves more than just those struggling with addiction. Families deserve to heal in a safe environment.
Contact us today to learn more about our programs.
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