My husband had his own battles which are not mine to tell. It Oxford House was the most emotionally challenging thing I’d ever taken on and it sucked the life out of me. The culture shock, strains of a new marriage, being so far removed from family and familiarity, and the job… oh my God, the job. In the first few months, the novelty of a new country and life was enough to keep my drinking a mostly social endeavor, albeit a reckless one.
Can Marriage Survive Sobriety—What It Looks Like in the Long Term
It may mean that he or she needs more support or is trying to make change too rapidly. Both partners need outside help to alleviate stress on the family system and guidance in learning new coping and communication skills. The supportive partner may also go through their own emotional process. It’s often very difficult for the partner to let go of the resentment, anger, and fear they’ve felt over the time their partner was using drugs and alcohol. Experts widely recommend individuals in recovery wait at least 12 months before engaging in new romantic relationships. During this time, it’s critical to focus on personal growth, establishing a solid support network, and honing coping skills needed for sobriety.
The Path to Recovery: Hard but Worth It
Through therapy, couples can also work on rebuilding intimacy in their relationship. This marriage after sobriety may involve setting boundaries and learning how to express needs and expectations in a healthy way. As communication improves, honesty and trust are slowly restored, creating a stronger foundation for the marriage.
Life
When you are ready to take action, we can help you at Gratitude Lodge in Southern California. Marriage is a union between two people that involves a strong emotional connection, commitment, and a shared life together. When one partner struggles with addiction, though, this can significantly affect the dynamic of the relationship. A relationship with a recovering alcoholic does not necessarily need to change in a major way – remember that your partner is the same person they have always been.
Loss of trust
Childhood trauma can drive these feelings, but early sobriety is not the time to address it. The first step in overcoming addiction and saving a marriage is for the individual struggling with addiction to seek help and enter into a rehabilitation program. As they focus on their recovery, couples can also participate in therapy together to address their underlying issues and learn healthy ways to communicate and manage conflict.
