As alcohol or drug use worsens, it begins to take more and more time away from the partner, taking its toll on creating an emotional distance between partners that is difficult to overcome. These couples also report that they fight and argue a lot, which can sometimes be violent. Every relationship that comes face to face with substance abuse and addiction is bound to suffer tremendously. Romantic relationships in which at least one partner deals with addiction are likely to include far more conflicts than most.
Trust issues, hurt feelings, and anxiety can be side effects of substance abuse in a relationship for either partner or both. These problems slowly wear out in relationships, gradually leading to the dissipation of happiness that eventually leads to relational failures, and not just the romantic type. Drug addiction affects all spheres of life, including relationships. Addiction makes it difficult to maintain trust, respect and open communication, critical elements in a healthy relationship.
When a person is addicted to a substance, their life revolves around obtaining and using the drug. This can lead to neglecting the responsibilities or needs of your partner. As a result, your partner will feel hurt, angry and betrayed. Drug addiction can have devastating effects on relationships in many different ways.
Drugs not only affect libido and erections, but can also lead to infidelity in a relationship. But first, how do drugs affect sexual desire? Drugs affect sexual desire by limiting male libido, erection, ejaculation, and even fertility. Although not all medications have an effect on sexual activities, some do restrict blood flow to the penis or spinal reflexes. The loved one may begin to develop trust issues due to the perception of disrespect, honesty and loyalty.
Trust is essential to feelings of security and care in a relationship, and reduced trust often leads to the emergence of a number of problems that damage the relationship, such as jealousy, anger, fear, and resentment. Drug addiction and mental health are also connected. The effects of addiction on relationships also include violence. Long-term substance abuse can affect a person's way of thinking and destroy their mental health.
This can cause them to behave badly in ways they normally wouldn't. Drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids can cause depression, anxiety, paranoia and irritability. If the individual is experiencing abstinence, they may also be more violent towards others. This is not to say that all addicts are violent, but that the effects of drugs and alcohol can lead to violent behaviors in relationships.
An addict can do everything they can to get their next dose, and that includes lying and deceiving family and friends. Communication can also be adversely affected as distrust continues to grow and each party is afraid to reveal their feelings and emotions. The strength of personal and romantic relationships is really tested in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse. People living with people who are addicted to drugs that can lead to extremely volatile behavior are at serious risk of victimization, along with any other family members or children living in the household.
Most likely, someone in an active addiction has already figured out how much the drug of their choice costs, where to get it and where to find money for it. It's especially common when someone feels that a loved one is getting in the way of their alcohol or drug use. For example, a wife might have good intentions by giving her husband money to buy drugs to prevent withdrawal symptoms or to prevent him from getting it illegally, but she is enabling her addiction and may be preventing him from getting help. There are no healthy and functional relationships that successfully maneuver through the realms of addiction and abuse.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people who are addicted to drugs are more than twice as likely to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders compared to the general public. Some couples use drugs together, and their shared addiction may seem like the only thing that makes them feel close. Whether you realize it or not, you may be allowing your loved one to get into their addiction or substance abuse. Active addiction can take its toll on any relationship, romantic or otherwise, and there are many ways that addiction affects relationships.
In addition, drugs and alcohol can reduce inhibitions, encouraging someone to be more willing to engage in risky behavior, such as sharing drug paraphernalia or having unprotected sex. It is not uncommon for an addicted person to have secret behavior and lie about drug use. It is particularly common for substance abuse sufferers to push away those who care about them and are concerned about their drug or alcohol use. Alcohol and drug use can often cause emotional volatility, such as easily losing your temper or suffering from mood swings.
One person could use cocaine, for example, to have sex for hours, while another person might feel bad about using sex for self-medication and using drugs to escape guilt. . .