Addiction and Relationships

Addiction complicates relationships so severely that most of the relationships eventually fail, but first they cause a lot of pain and hurt. An addictive personality has one goal: meeting the needs of that addition. Regardless of whether the partner’s addiction is to alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, overeating or work, the cravings to satisfy the … Keep Reading → addiction take precedence over meeting the needs of a partner. Addicts repeatedly promise to be more understanding and get stop the addictive behavior, but few of these promises are ever kept. All too often the addicted partner misses appointments, claims to be not feeling well, not in the mood or up to the event, and may even just disappear for a few days expecting a partner to make excuses and cover for the addict. The partner making excuses is co-dependent in this kind of dysfunctional relationship. A co-dependent partner will cover for the addict to an employer, family, and friends in order to preserve the relationship and maintain some sort of appearance of normalcy. The children of addicts in these relationships are also negatively affected and may become enablers as co-dependents. Talking to the addict about addictive behavior can lead to abuse, violence and threats putting the partner in real danger. Addicts who seek treatment through rehab or AA may put their families and partners through a roller-coaster ride of wellness and addiction. Some addicts move from one addiction to another and only recover when they get professional help. Learn more about how to survive in a relationship where addiction plays a big role in this Hub.