Addiction comes in many forms, and may be to a number of different things including drugs, alcohol, sex, or gambling, to name a few. No matter what type of addiction your spouse is facing; it’s important to understand what you can do to assist your partner, and what you should avoid.
Move beyond denial
It’s often very difficult to accept that a spouse has become an addict, and is in need of help; but moving past denial and facing the addiction head on is the first and most important step to assisting your spouse in recovery. Understand that you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 28% of Americans will struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol at some point in their lives.
Your spouse may not be on the same page yet, and that’s okay. Your goal at this point is not to convince your spouse that they are an addict, or even assist them in their treatment. Becoming aware of the addiction, and gather information is important for you to do on your own; leave the treatment to the professionals.
Reach out for help
It may be tempting to hide the addiction due to the stigma attached to it, but reaching out for help is the best way to assist your spouse. A great option is to turn to trusted loved ones for assistance, so that they’re able to help you. There’s no need to scream from the rooftops about your partner’s addiction, but making those that are close to you aware will assist you in keeping your eye on the addiction.
Once you’ve created a support group out of your loved ones, it may seem easier to seek professional assistance. Ask for recommendations on 12 step programs in the area, addiction counselors, or even religious leaders that may have experience in addiction and ask them for assistance as well. Having a large and strong support group comprised of both loved ones and professionals will make the recovery process simpler than going at it alone.
The first step in overcoming addiction is to seek help from a doctor or a counselor, who can assist you in determining the root cause of your problems and recommending appropriate alternatives. You may go to a rehab center if he recommends it. If you are looking for detoxification centers, inpatient treatment, or outpatient treatment, Arista Recovery-like rehab centers in Kansas, U.S., may be of great assistance.
Remember to care for yourself
Don’t allow yourself to get so carried away in caring for your spouse, and looking after their addiction that you neglect your own needs. No matter how your spouse may be struggling, you should never allow your own health, safety, or mental well being to be compromised.
If you need to live separately from your spouse while they seek assistance, then so be it. You will only be a help to your spouse if you are healthy and strong enough to see them through their treatment. Make sure that you’re coping in healthy ways with the stress, and are spending time doing things that you enjoy in the midst of the chaos.
There are no rulebooks written on how to cope with addiction and recovery. Mistakes may be made, and while it would be appreciated; there are no easy ways out. Take the time to acknowledge that what you’re going through is stressful, and may seem extremely daunting, but know that life can be restored to its previous state and addiction can be conquered.
