Addiction in relationships is a complex and challenging issue that often brings confusion, frustration, and emotional turmoil. When one partner struggles with addiction, it doesn’t just affect that individual — it impacts the entire relationship.
The patterns of addiction can create cycles of pain, mistrust, and conflict, making it difficult for couples to communicate effectively or feel secure with each other. Navigating these challenges requires understanding, patience, and often, difficult conversations about boundaries, support, and expectations. Couples must confront not only the addiction itself but also how it reshapes their connection and vision for the future together.
Key Insights on Addiction in Relationships: How to Support a Partner Struggling with Addiction
I was recently invited to be a guest on a wonderful podcast that deals with relationships called Ready Set Love. During our conversation with John Howard, we explored common questions and issues that often arise in relationships, such as:
- Who is responsible for the recovery of a person with an addiction?
- How can a partner help?
- What to do about the conflict, and how to think about addiction together
- How to speak to an addicted partner who’s resistant to care
If you are in a relationship and looking to better understand how to handle one or both people being addicted, listen to this episode to learn helpful ways to think about and handle it.
