A new Swedish study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that marriage may reduce your risk of alcohol use disorder, especially if you have a family history of substance abuse.
Married men and women have a 60 percent and 71 percent lower risk, respectively, then their single peers, according to the findings. Not surprisingly, the same study found that being married to someone with a history of alcohol problems can increase your risk.
If you’re already married and in recovery, then we don’t have to tell you that the link between marriage and addiction is a complicated one. Couples dealing with addiction have an increased chance of divorce (four times the risk) and these divorces often happen during recovery. Anger, fear, distrust, and communication problems can, understandably, jeopardize the relationship. And, unfortunately, sometimes the damage and mistrust is just too big to be repaired.
Repairing Your Relationship After Addiction
A healthy marriage can be an important tool in your recovery – and these steps can help you start to rebuild that relationship.
- Focus on you. Having a basis in recovery will help you better handle the process of reconciling with your spouse and creating a new, happier and healthier marriage. Be sure to communicate this with your partner, however, so he or she does not feel neglected or left out.
- Seek professional help. Mending your relationship will likely mean dealing with a lot of broken promises, hurt feelings, and deceptions – and a counselor or therapist can help ease the process.
- Practice active listening. Making amends and being honest may mean that you’re going to hear some harsh things about yourself and how you’ve treated your spouse. Don’t get defensive; instead be open to what your partner is trying to tell you. Asking questions is one way to show that you’re truly listening.
- Be patient. Don’t expect your relationship to repair itself overnight. Just as your learning to re-trust yourself, your partner is learning to trust you (and perhaps him or herself) again. Trust, respect, love and intimacy can be re-established, but it will take time.
Addiction: A Family Affair
Providence Treatment is dedicated to the recovery of both its patients and their families. Our customized intensive family therapy helps the family and the alcoholic/addict repair their relationship. To find out more, call today: (866) 247-3307.
