Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or even a child who suffers from the effects of addiction, there is no question that their substance use affects the people around them. A person’s battle with substance use strains otherwise healthy relationships, as the people who care about them must witness the detrimental health effects on their loved ones. But what happens when two addicts get together? Is it even possible to have a normal, healthy relationship when both people involved are struggling with addiction?
If your partner is experiencing a substance use disorder and needs help right away, Ashwood Recovery offers drug and alcohol rehab programs to get them on the road to recovery. Our treatment center provides comprehensive outpatient care to the Boise, Idaho metro area, and beyond. We understand that watching your partner go through addiction can be a challenging experience, which is why we also offer family therapy programs so that you can learn to heal together. If you want to know more about what we can do to help, contact us at 888.341.3607.
Can Two Addicts Be in a Relationship?
Yes, they can be in a relationship. After all, love and intimacy know no boundaries, and everyone deserves to be able to find the person of their dreams. Two addicts can absolutely experience true love for one another, no matter the stigma surrounding their substance use.
However, their relationship may be much more complex than if they were sober. There are several ways that addiction affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Many of these effects are unhealthy and do not make it easy to be in a relationship with an addict.
How Does Addiction Affect Relationships?
Every person is unique, and so are their relationships. However, people suffering from addiction often display very similar behavioral patterns. Some of the typical traits or habits an addict can have include:
- Lying – This habit is probably the most common displayed by long-term addicts, as many will have to lie to cover for their substance use. Perhaps the most powerful lie that addicts will tell is to themselves, regarding the severity of their drug or alcohol use, to protect themselves from the truth.
- Manipulative behavior – Addiction changes how a person’s brain functions and one of the main effects is an overwhelming need to keep using drugs or alcohol. This intense need can make a person do or say things they normally never would, so long as it furthers the goal of getting more of their chosen substance.
- Violence – The intense emotions that a person can experience during active addiction can make them more prone to bouts of violence and abuse towards their partner. The violence or abuse does not necessarily have to be physical, as mental and emotional abuse can be just as common as physical abuse.
These traits and habits are doubled when two addicts are in a relationship. There can be a never-ending spiral of manipulation and blame, causing conflict and abuse, leading to more substance use. While two addicts in a relationship can support each other to get clean, it is unlikely without them seeking professional help.
Getting Sober Together
It’s important to understand that each individual’s journey toward recovery is unique, and going through an addiction treatment program is something that each person must do by themselves. Two recovering addicts in a relationship can support each other, but treatment is something they will have to do separately.
Get Treatment at Ashwood Recovery
If you and your partner are ready to break free from the grip of addiction, you can rely on Ashwood Recovery for guidance. Our alcohol and drug rehab programs pair individualized care with evidence-based treatments for the safest possible recovery. We are an outpatient facility and offer three levels of care:
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – Our IOP gives patients the flexibility to live at home while receiving a structured treatment program. We also offer virtual IOP so patients can participate in their own homes.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – The PHP provides more structure than the IOP and is a good choice for patients who need the most help through recovery.
- Outpatient program – The outpatient program is the least rigorous and most flexible level of care we offer and is suitable for those with moderate or light substance use who need to fulfill professional or family obligations.
Our treatment programs work to meet each patient’s needs and goals. To learn more and take the first steps toward recovery, call us at 888.341.3607 today.