| A happy, fulfilling, romantic relationship is something | | | | achieving the next high or drink. The influence of an |
| many people desire and attempt to bring into their | | | | addictive use of substances makes it very difficult |
| lives. A marriage in particular is an important | | | | for your partner to be fully present and giving in the |
| relationship most people work very hard to protect. | | | | relationship. It can become a trap to be caught up in |
| If both partners are committed, put forth effort, and | | | | managing the various crises that come about in your |
| are reasonably balanced emotionally, a successful | | | | partner's life as a result of the substance abuse, and |
| union is definitely within reach. However, there are | | | | neglecting your own needs. Your husband or partner's |
| certain dynamics that might exist within a marriage or | | | | potential financial and/or legal problems resulting from |
| other intimate relationship that make a healthy union | | | | the addiction can cause you serious issues as well. |
| very unlikely. When certain behavior patterns cause | | | | Your safety may even be put at risk if, for example, |
| destruction and emotional pain for one or both | | | | you get in a car with your partner after he or she |
| partners, the relationship becomes a toxic one. Here | | | | has been drinking. |
| are 4 signs that your relationship is toxic: | | | | 3. There is repeated adultery or affairs in your |
| 1. There is abuse in the relationship. This may be | | | | marriage or relationship. An affair can become a |
| physical or emotional abuse, and both are very | | | | catalyst for better communication and accountability |
| damaging. If you are living with or fear the threat of | | | | between partners and strengthen the relationship, |
| physical abuse, this is a very dangerous situation. | | | | provided both partners recommit and do not continue |
| Physical abuse often escalates over time, and it is | | | | the adulterous behaviors. However, if the betrayals |
| important to contact a domestic violence shelter or | | | | continue, there is no real foundation to rebuild trust |
| counselor specializing in this particular issue for specific | | | | or intimacy. In addition to the emotional pain of the |
| help. There is an increased risk for harm at the time | | | | betrayed spouse, there is the risk of physical illness |
| of leaving a physically abusive relationship, and it is | | | | and even death if you are intimate with someone |
| important to create an appropriate safety plan for | | | | who is not monogamous with you. |
| getting out. Emotional abuse is a pattern of criticism, | | | | 4. Your husband or partner has a personality disorder, |
| punishment, and controlling behavior that causes | | | | like narcissism or sociopathy. These disorders have a |
| emotional damage to the victim, and increases | | | | specific set of symptoms, but the results can be |
| feelings of inferiority, incompetence, and is crazy | | | | similar for the non-disordered partner ? bewilderment, |
| making for the victimized partner. | | | | confusion, and hurt over the destructive actions of |
| 2. Your husband or partner is actively abusing drugs | | | | your partner. Unfortunately, there is little in the way |
| and alcohol, and refuses to accept help or treatment | | | | of effective treatments for these disorders at this |
| for the problem. This is a very difficult situation, but | | | | time, and the disordered partner rarely acknowledges |
| the truth is that your partner is putting you and your | | | | that there is a problem to begin with. This makes the |
| needs in the relationship as a lower priority than | | | | prospect for change very small. |