Can Your Marriage Survive Substance Abuse and Addiction?

Author Note: Before we move on to more of the subject matter a note must be made, regarding the importance of people-first language. As anyone who has experienced issues with substances or knows someone who has attest, they are still people at the end of the day; worthy of respect and decency when being spoken of.

With that in mind, for the rest of this article and more importantly everyday life, I implore people to use people-first language such as individuals with substance use issues, or substance abuse issues, or substance use disorder, etc. Please help put to rest the dated notion of using dehumanizing labeling language like addict, alcoholic, drunk, pill-popper, junkie, crackhead, etc.

Marriage is a commitment made between two individuals to honor each other every day until death do they part. And while the statistics around divorce can cast doubt on the institution of marriage, many can agree that when vows are exchanged, they intend to see it through to the end. However, as many of us married folks can attest, marriage is hard work and the relationship at its core needs to be prioritized every day.

That said, if you happen to throw in another layer to the already complex makeup of a marriage, like substance abuse and addiction, the odds of survival for any marriage start to diminish…