Most couples promise to care for one another in sickness and in health on their wedding day, but doing so can prove more challenging than either party expects.
Most couples promise to care for one another in sickness and in health on their wedding day, but doing so can prove more challenging than either party expects. If you believe that your significant other is battling drug addiction, chances are you’ve already seen a side to him or her that you never envisioned. Perhaps the person you love most has deceived you repeatedly, or you have felt your heart break time and time again as your husband or wife continues to make choices that threaten their health.
Though you may feel you are charged with the protection of your spouse, it’s important to recognize when you need help. Chances are you are visiting this website because you know - or suspect - that this time has come. At Fairwinds Treatment Center in Clearwater, we are here to support you and your spouse as you weather one of the greatest storms of your union.
Recognizing drug addiction in your spouse
Unlike family members or friends, as a spouse you are in a unique position to observe your loved one’s behavior on a day-to-day basis. However, this can be a double-edged sword, since some changes may set in so gradually that you don’t even notice them. By familiarizing yourself with common symptoms of addiction, you may be better prepared to identify concerning trends. If you notice signs of the following, contact a drug addiction treatment center in Florida to discuss your options:
- Apathy toward activities they were once invested in
- Change in activity level (drowsy/more hyperactive)
- Disrupted sleep patterns (lethargy/insomnia)
- Dramatic weight loss or gain over time
- Evasiveness
- Mood swings
- Noticeable irritability
- Twitches/nervous behavior.
How to show support for your spouse
Addiction can drive an individual to perform unspeakable acts to both fuel and conceal their need. As wounded as you may be by your loved one’s actions, remember that drug addiction is a disease. Deep down - hard as he or she may be to recognize - this is still the person you fell in love with, and they need you now more than ever.
Do
- Ask for help - Just because you love someone doesn’t mean you can fight all of their battles. To beat addiction, you and your spouse will need help from loved ones and certified professionals.
- Learn everything you can - The more you come to understand the nature of addiction, the better you will be able to empathize with your loved one and help ascertain their progress and needs. This will still be a difficult process, but educating yourself can help you prepare for it.
- Let your loved one know that you are there to listen - No one is expecting you to play the role of psychiatrist, but simply letting your loved on know that you want to know what they are going through can supplement the support they receive from an addiction center.
Don’t
- Assign blame - Now is not the time to accuse your partner or wallow in self-plty. Accept that addiction is a complex disease that affects people from all walks of life.
- Expect everything to go back to the way it was - Your relationship will change for better or worse after this experience. Fighting this fact will diminish the significance of your loved one’s battle, and will only strain your relationship further.
- Overlook your own needs - Supporting a loved one who is fighting addiction is incredibly draining. Even as you focus on supporting your spouse, don’t forget to tend to yourself too. If you need a break, speak to family members or the specialists at a drug addiction center.
Why choose Fairwinds Treatment Center for drug addiction treatment
Fairwinds Treatment Center was founded by nationally recognized psychiatrist Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef in 1989. Dr. El-Yousef is a pioneer in addiction medicine, and has devised programs that combine the benefits of therapeutic and clinical intervention for the most comprehensive approach to recovery. At Fairwinds Treatment Center, we recognize the complexity of each individual case, and our family-centric approach has been designed to produce sustainable results.