Corey’s mission is to provide quality behavioral health care to local community members who reach out in need, regardless of their financial situation. Outside of The Freedom Center, Corey enjoys playing golf, hiking and most of all https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-it-possible-to-get-sober-without-aa/ being the best father to his three young boys. SMART Recovery Family and Friends – SMART Recovery Family & Friends helps those who are affected by the substance abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, or other addictions of a loved one.

For example, they can donate to organizations that help addicts get treatment. They can also form support groups to listen to addicts and help them feel heard. Having two addicts as parents can be equally tough on the kids in the family. If the child is alone, they would suffer a similar kind of neglect as a child of a solo parent with an addiction.

I’m in Love with a Drug Addict — What Can I Do?

It takes self-love and compassion to help someone struggling with addiction. Everyone who is in a relationship with an active addict is an enabler. Whether they accept it or not, continuing to provide for their loved one continues their addiction. You become an enabler when you pay for rent, food, medical bills, and more. In other cases, the enabler might give the addict a place to live despite the addict’s lack of interest in getting sober.

Can a relationship survive sobriety?

When asking whether marriage can survive sobriety, the answer can be yes—if a couple takes a healthy approach to managing their problems and discussing their feelings. It will take time to rebuild trust so it's important to not put pressure on each other and instead take it one day at a time.

For example, your loved one may be experiencing decreased physical health and worsening mental health symptoms, employment issues, strained relationships, and financial troubles. If your loved one is ready to seek drug and alcohol abuse treatment, contact us today. Our addiction therapists will help them find the absolute best treatment plan for them, personalized to meet their challenges and needs.

Support them in their recovery

They know that addiction is a disease and that addicts are not bad people. Thus, they end up spending money to maintain an unhealthy relationship with addicts because they have no other friends. Sometimes, a spouse living with an abusive addict will turn to substance abuse themselves. Without professional treatment, the relationship may end up with two addicts. Many family members enable for the same reason addicts use substances, it feels good, and it fills a void or inadequate feeling. One of the biggest reasons that cause family members to continue enabling behaviors is the fear of letting go and the fear of no longer feeling needed in the relationship with the addict.

  • On the other hand, someone abusing substances can control dopamine levels by increasing the frequency or dose of their drug to maintain the desired effect.
  • In moments of choice, a person may lose sight of what they have to lose through drug abuse.
  • It can be like living a re-occurring nightmare that you can’t wake up from.
  • When the addict is no longer there to blame, the family instinctively carries out the chaos and drama.

Mary builds strong client relationships, ensuring satisfaction with each interaction. Her attention to detail and communication skills are valuable assets. Mary goes above and beyond to exceed expectations and is dedicated to outstanding service. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, and family time.

More Questions about Treatment?

Addictions can develop slowly, and people sliding into an addiction can develop an uncanny ability to conceal the truth. A very similar process takes place when it seems like an addicted person is choosing loving an addict drugs over love. Of course, love feels good because it is comforting and encouraging, but the brain convinces the person that the drug feels amazing because of its unnatural ability to release dopamine.

loving an addict

You can offer resources and assistance, but forcing someone into treatment isn’t always effective. Ultimately, it’s about respecting your partner’s autonomy while still looking out for yourself and not enabling irresponsible behavior. However, if it’s their own behavior that’s causing both of you to suffer, enabling them by bailing them out or letting a personal loss slide is only going to make things worse in the long run. Setting firm boundaries is one of the best ways to love a drug addict. Being in love with an addict can be a difficult and emotionally draining experience.