| Marriage is hard work and requires effort and | | | | fully present in the relationship when his or her main |
| commitment, along with respect, from both partners | | | | goal is scoring the next high or drink. In addition, you |
| to be successful. If the individuals in the marriage are | | | | may be pulled into a system of crisis management |
| emotionally balanced and relatively healthy, this effort | | | | mode in order to reduce the level of consequences |
| can produce a union that is mutually fulfilling and | | | | upon yourself and your partner. You might be faced |
| supportive. However, there are some marriages | | | | with legal and financial impact upon you (DUI's, |
| where the actions of one of both partners is | | | | accidents while using, etc.) |
| unhealthy and so destructive to the other partner | | | | 3. Your partner cheats repeatedly. An affair doesn't |
| and the relationship that it might be appropriate to | | | | have to mean a marriage is over, but both spouses |
| consider ending it. Here are 4 signs that the marriage | | | | have to be willing to commit, forgive and work very |
| may be too toxic to be able to save: | | | | hard to establish different communication strategies |
| 1. Abuse is occurring. Whether it is physical or | | | | and better accountability. If a partner is continuing or |
| emotional/verbal, abuse is a very damaging | | | | has a series of affairs, however, this is enormously |
| experience in a marriage. If the abuse is physical, this | | | | disrespectful and damaging, and there is no real |
| is very dangerous and frequently gets worse over | | | | foundation to build any kind of trust or relationship |
| time. Please contact a domestic violence shelter or | | | | upon. You are actually risking your very health as |
| counselor for professional guidance on how best to | | | | well, being with a non-monogamous partner. |
| leave your situation. If you are a victim of emotional | | | | 4. Your partner has a personality disorder such as |
| abuse, you are likely to feel incapable, worthless, and | | | | narcissism or sociopathy. These disorders are if |
| may even question your own mental stability due to | | | | extremely destructive to personal relationships and |
| your partner's criticism, demeaning attitude, and | | | | are difficult if not impossible to treat. Flaunting of |
| controlling behavior. | | | | rules, sense of entitlement, lack of conscience or |
| 2. Addictions are untreated and the partner is actively | | | | empathy for others, compulsive behaviors, |
| abusing the substance. These situations are very | | | | irresponsibility, and a sense of superiority and |
| tough. Your spouse is unlikely to be capable of being | | | | haughtiness can be signs of a personality disorder. |