Being the partner, friend, or family member of a toxic relationship can be a difficult position to be in. Everything is telling you to leave, but that means deserting someone you care about. To make matters worse, the root of your toxic relationship could be addictive behaviors. What exactly is the link between toxic relationships and addiction?
Turning To Drugs
A toxic relationship could be caused by addiction, or it could cause addiction. In either case, either one or both parties might have to attend a wellness retreat. The victim might turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the painful emotions connected to the toxic relationship. Alternatively, they might try to encourage people to try illicit substances in order to form a stronger bond with each other. This kind of behavior can also lead to what is called codependency, which is typically excessive emotional or psychological reliance on someone else in your life.
How To Tell If You’re In A Toxic Relationship
There are several factors you should be looking out for to determine whether you’re in a toxic relationship or not. Here are some red flags that should stand out to you:
Isolation: your partner keeps you away from friends and family, and forces you to choose between them.
- Jealousy: your partner lashes out when they feel threatened by the relationships you have with others.
- Guilting: your partner makes you feel like everything is your fault.
- Betrayal: your partner often lies and cheats.
- Volatile: your partner’s extreme reactions forces you to walk on eggshells around them.
- Belittling: they constantly make you feel bad about yourself.
- Manipulation: your partner controls your decisions, actions, and emotions. They might also try to convince you to do things you’re not comfortable with.
How Substance Abuse Plays Into Toxic Relationships
When addiction is involved in a toxic relationship, it can happen in one of two ways. The first is enabling which is often displayed by an addict’s close friends and family. To feel like they’re helping, they tolerate and even assist the addict’s harmful behavior. They might provide emotional support, housing, or just money, instead of trying to help them overcome their addiction.
The second is an insecure attachment style, which forms in childhood. Insecure attachment takes place when a caregiver is unresponsive to physical and emotional needs. This lack of attachment can cause a person to turn to addiction or toxic relationships in order to receive the attention they’re looking for.
If you or someone you know is struggling to find recovery, and the biggest hurdle is the relationships that you or that person have, then it might be time to cut ties. These toxic relationships won’t help in the recovery process, since you’re the one who has to be in charge of the decision-making process. Toxic relationships will only lead you in the wrong direction.
Don’t hesitate and get the help you need today. Call your medical provider or a local recovery program to see which one best suits your needs. It’s never too late to take control of your life again.
