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I’m Sober and My Spouse Is Not: Will Our Marriage Work?

a couple looks away from each other on a couch possibly struggling with marriage and sobriety

If you’re reading this, it’s likely because your spouse is struggling with addiction. While there may be some correlation between a successful marriage and sobriety, partners entering recovery can also learn to get healthy together. It’s tough when one spouse is sober, and the other is not. But it’s not impossible to make things work. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the challenges you may face as well as some tips for navigating marriage after sobriety with aftercare planning.

The Challenges of Having a Spouse Who Is Not Sober

One of the biggest challenges of having a spouse who is not sober is that you may feel like you’re always walking on eggshells. It can be hard to relax and enjoy your life when you’re constantly worried about what your spouse is doing or whether they will make it home safe. Trust becomes a major issue, and it can be difficult to feel like you have a partner you can rely on.

It can also be challenging to deal with the negative impact addiction has on your relationship. Addiction often leads to financial problems, communication difficulties, and even infidelity. If you’re dealing with addiction in your marriage, it’s important to seek help from a therapist or counselor who can help you navigate these challenges.

Avoiding Codependency

Another big challenge of being married to someone who is not sober is avoiding codependency. When one spouse is struggling with addiction, it’s easy for the other spouse to become overly involved in their recovery. This can lead to codependency, which is when one person becomes too reliant on another for their emotional needs. While it’s important to be supportive, it’s also important to maintain your own sense of self-worth and independence.

When you focus on marriage and sobriety, you can often become bogged down. If you become codependent on your spouse, it’s important to seek help from a therapist or counselor who can help you learn how to set boundaries and take care of yourself.

Navigating Marriage After Sobriety

If you are in recovery from addiction, it’s important to take things slow when it comes to rebuilding your marriage. Recovery is a process that takes time, and it’s important to focus on your sobriety first and foremost. That being said, there are things you can do to start rebuilding trust and communication with your spouse.

Some tips for navigating marriage after sobriety include:

  • Being transparent about your recovery process
  • Making sobriety a priority
  • Attending therapy or counseling together
  • Communicating openly and honestly
  • Building trust slowly but surely

Aftercare planning is a significant part of addiction treatment. During this part of recovery, counselors will develop a plan for staying sober while rebuilding life.

The Importance of Addiction Treatment for Marriage

If you’re struggling with addiction, it’s important to seek help from a treatment center like Northpoint Recovery. Addiction treatment can help you get to the root of your addiction and learn how to manage your triggers and cravings. It can also give you the tools you need to rebuild your marriage after sobriety.

At Northpoint Recovery, we use evidence-based treatments to help our patients find relief from drugs and alcohol. Each custom addiction treatment plan may utilize:

  • Detox – Detox can help you safely and effectively withdraw from drugs and alcohol.
  • Individual therapy – Individual therapy can help you explore the underlying causes of your addiction and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
  • Group therapy – Group therapy provides support and accountability as you navigate recovery.
  • Family therapy – Family therapy can help you repair the damage addiction has caused to your relationship and learn how to communicate effectively.

When you are ready to get on the road to recovery, our addiction treatment center can help you build a brighter future. Located in Meridian, Idaho just outside of Boise, our high-quality addiction treatment center provides the care you need when you need it. Call 888.296.8976 or contact us online today to learn more about marriage and sobriety.