ways 7 Ways to Support Your Dating Partner Struggling With Addiction

Addiction can take a toll on a person’s life partner, too. Even if they aren’t directly affected by a loved one’s substance use, they might still feel the stress and worry that comes along with a loved one’s ongoing struggle with addiction. If you and your partner are looking for ways to support each other, here are some suggestions that may be helpful.

1. Stay Informed

It’s important to stay informed about the substance use of your partner. This doesn’t just mean reading about addiction and recovery on the internet; it also means talking to your partner about their daily life. Understanding the addiction and its impact on your partner’s life can help you feel more supportive, while also keeping your partner informed.

If your partner uses alcohol, ask them how they’ve been spending their money and what they’ve been buying. If they’re using prescription drugs, ask them where the drugs come from and what they’ve been doing to meet their prescriptions. Understanding the addiction’s daily impact on your partner’s life can help you feel more informed and supportive, while keeping your partner informed.

2. Don’t Minimize the Issue

You might be tempted to minimize the issue of your partner’s addiction, but doing so is unhelpful. Partners of people struggling with addiction can feel insecure, even guilty, about their partner’s struggle. In order to be effective in your relationship with your partner, you need to approach the issue in a realistic, yet supportive way.

If your partner is still able to care for themselves and fulfill their responsibilities while they struggle with addiction, it’s important to acknowledge that. This can help you feel less guilty, while also providing your partner with constructive feedback.  You can also make sure to keep yourself healthy, which can help you be a better support system. If you aren’t able to meet your responsibilities because of your own health issues, your partner can feel supported and supported by you.

3. Encourage your Partner

If your partner is struggling with addiction, you should encourage them in their recovery journey. This doesn’t mean constantly reminding them how much of a struggle it is, but it does mean acknowledging the complexities of addiction. You can do this by telling your partner that you believe they can beat this and that you are there for them, no matter what.

You can also do this by listening when they tell you about their struggles and offering support when they need it.  Your partner will receive encouragement by hearing you acknowledge their struggle while also offering encouragement. It’s important to remember that encouragement doesn’t just mean telling your partner they will beat their addiction; it just means staying positive while also acknowledging the struggle.

4. Be Honest

Honesty is key in any relationship, including a partnership with someone struggling with addiction. If your partner asks you about their substance use, or you want to talk about how you’re going to help your partner beat their addiction, be honest. Honesty doesn’t mean you have to be blunt and tell your partner they are an addict; it just means being honest with your partner about the challenges they are facing. 

You don’t have to tell your partner how to beat their addiction, but try your best to be honest about the challenges your partner is facing. 

5. Spend Time Together

Spending time together can be helpful for any couple, but it can be especially impactful for people who are struggling with addiction. Some people find being around their partner during or after an addiction-related episode can be overwhelming, so it can also be helpful to have time away from your partner and their substance use, too. This can help both partners calm down and think more clearly, while giving each other space to process what has happened during or after an addiction-related episode. 

If you are able to handle it, spending time with your partner during or after an addiction-related episode can help them stay calm. This can be helpful, especially if your partner is struggling with a mental health issue that is related to their substance use. While spending time with your partner can be very helpful, make sure to take care of yourself first in the relationship and take any time you need for yourself. Spending time with your partner can help you stay focused on your relationship and your responsibilities, while also helping you to stay calm.

6. Don’t Enable

When your partner is in the grip of an addiction, they aren’t in control of themselves. They are at the mercy of their substance use and the ways it affects them. If your partner uses substances, don’t make excuses for it, and don’t allow it. This doesn’t mean you have to be confrontational; it just means you have to set boundaries. 

Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you have to treat your partner like a child or act like a parent. You don’t have to constantly lecture your partner or punish them for their substance use.You don’t have to make your partner feel guilty or feel guilty for taking care of yourself and setting boundaries.

7. Take Care of Yourself

Self-care is especially important for those struggling with substance use and for people in relationships with partners that struggle with substance abuse. The stress of supporting a partner who is struggling with addiction can be overwhelming, and it can take a toll on your health.

If your partner is using substances, this can negatively impact your physical, emotional, and mental health.  This can leave you feeling overwhelmed and alone, while also making it harder to meet your responsibilities. You should take care of yourself by eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and getting exercise. You should also make sure to socialize with people who aren’t using substances and make time for hobbies and other activities that give you pleasure and satisfaction.

Trust the Experts

Addiction and mental health disorders can affect anyone. If you or a loved one are currently living with one of these issues, help is available! We encourage you to reach out to the professionals at Oasis Recovery to learn more about our personalized treatment programs and mental health services. Oasis Recovery was founded from firsthand experience of addiction and recovery, with a mission of providing a space where people can heal from addiction in a compassionate, creative, open-minded, and heart-centered environment. We believe recovery is always possible. Our experts work with you to design a treatment plan that fits your needs. Common treatment programs include:

• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
• Full-time Addiction Treatment on campus
• Aftercare Services

Contact us today for more information about how our programs and services can help you get your life back on track. You no longer have to struggle with this on your own. We are here to help.