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In relationships, when one of the partners struggles with drug addiction, the need for drugs can become the number one priority overriding all else, including affection. <\/span><\/p>\n The effects of substance abuse can put even the strongest of bonds to the test through financial struggles, communication problems, and trust issues. <\/span><\/p>\n If you wonder how drug addiction affects relationships keep reading to understand the first signs of drug addictions, potential consequences, and how to overcome them.<\/span><\/p>\n Before we move on to the effects of addiction and how drug addiction affects relationships, let’s define what drug abuse is first.<\/span><\/p>\n Substance use disorder, commonly known as drug addiction, refers to a complex condition affecting the person’s brain and behavior, making them unable to resist using various substances. <\/span><\/p>\n Being in a relationship with an addict or being an addict yourself can have both short and long-term consequences. One of the things that suffer the most is relationships. <\/span><\/p>\n The urge becomes prioritized over everything else despite the harm it is causing to one’s health and their loved ones’ life. <\/b><\/p>\n How does it do that? <\/span><\/p>\n Substance abuse triggers pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters such as <\/span>dopamine in the brain<\/span><\/a>. One of the ways how drug addiction affects relationships is by overtaking the pathways responsible for rewarding human behavior. <\/span><\/p>\n Normally, dopamine is released when we engage in behaviors essential for survival (e.g., caring for other people). Drug abuse floods the neurotransmitters with dopamine making them less available for uptake and absorption. <\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, addicts can rely on the drugs for their dopamine hit instead of receiving it as a result of connecting and <\/span>caring in relationships<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Loving someone with an addiction can be quite an emotional rollercoaster. Learning how to deal with a drug addict husband or wife can be painful and heartbreaking because you no longer feel you are the priority in their life.<\/span><\/p>\n The emotional effects of drug abuse include neglecting your partner, their needs and distancing yourself from people<\/span>.<\/span><\/i> Over time, secrecy and distrust increase while communication and intimacy deteriorate. <\/span><\/p>\n Trust is an essential component<\/span><\/a> of a healthy relationship. When it starts to decay, it is expected the same will happen to your bond and relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n When you mix drug addiction and relationships, you get the potential for another very serious consequence – violence and abuse. <\/span><\/p>\n Abusing drugs leads the person to make choices they otherwise wouldn’t. The need to get their next dose becomes their first concern. This can have serious consequences. <\/span><\/p>\n They might use money allocated for their family or utility bills to attain drugs. If they cannot have the next dose, they can become frustrated, agitated, and violent. <\/span><\/p>\n Trying to quit can also lead to feelings of helplessness, anger, and agitation. The addicts’ behavior can become unpredictable, and they can be easily provoked. This can lead to victimizing their family members. <\/span><\/p>\n Also Watch:<\/b><\/span>What is drug addiction?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> Ways to Support Your Spouse in Addiction Recovery<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>How does drug addiction affect your relationship?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Effects of drug addiction on intimacy<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>
Violence and abuse stem from drug addiction relationships<\/b><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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<\/p>\nRelated Reading:<\/i><\/b> Why Compassion is Powerful in Addiction Recovery<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n