| Relationships require work, commitment, and mutual | | | | because he or she is constantly preoccupied with |
| respect to be successful. If both partners are | | | | getting the next drink or high. You might be tempted |
| reasonably well adjusted and invested in one another, | | | | to try to manage your partner's problems or protect |
| the chances of a long and happy union are greatly | | | | him or her from consequences, but this only furthers |
| increased. Unfortunately there are some relationships | | | | the problem. Your partner knows you will be there to |
| with unbalanced relationship dynamics due to personal | | | | bail him or her out, so there is no need to take |
| issues and destructive tendencies, and these | | | | responsibility. You grow resentful and angry over the |
| relationships can become toxic to one or both | | | | inequality in the relationship and have a tendency to |
| partners. If one partner is being negatively impacted | | | | become more controlling as you attempt to solve the |
| and damaged due to the other partner's behavior, it | | | | problems. Beyond this aspect of the relationship, |
| is common for the victimized partner to take a hot | | | | there are practical issues involved, and you may be |
| self esteem wise and even question his or her worth | | | | affected legally or financially if your partner gets a |
| entirely. Here are 3 signs that your relationship might | | | | DUI, or hurts someone while intoxicated. You could |
| be a toxic one: | | | | even be placed at risk if, for example, you got in a |
| 1. There is abuse happening. Physical abuse is clearly | | | | car with your partner when he or she uses and there |
| dangerous, tends to escalate, and can threaten your | | | | was an accident. |
| very life. Please contact a domestic violence shelter | | | | 3. Your partner cheats on you repeatedly. An affair |
| or counselor if this is occurring in your relationship. If | | | | doesn't have to mean the automatic end of a |
| you are being emotionally abused, you may not even | | | | relationship, but both partners must be fully |
| be fully aware of it. However, if you are feeling | | | | committed to doing what is necessary to rebuild |
| shamed, criticized, worthless, or crazy around your | | | | trust and increase communication and accountability. |
| partner, it is possible that you are being insulted and | | | | If your partner continues and repeats this behavior, |
| controlled, which is emotional abuse. | | | | there is no foundation to rebuild your relationship |
| 2. There is an untreated addiction, like to drugs or | | | | upon. It is continually eroded like sand beneath a tide, |
| alcohol. This is a difficult situation to manage if your | | | | and your self esteem will suffer greatly. |
| partner is not fully engaged in the relationship | | | | |