Addiction is a devastating disease – not just for you, but for everyone close to you. It doesn't just affect your health or behavior; it can deeply impact your spouse and entire family dynamic.    If you are suffering from a substance use disorder, you may have noticed yourself becoming secretive and emotionally distant. Perhaps you've become a less reliable partner or parent as a result. These changes may have happened in an attempt to hide the severity of your disease or because you want to protect your family from the worst parts of your struggle. However, very few people are successful in hiding the changes in their lives as their addiction worsens. 

Anxiety, panic, and addiction can be closely tied, with many experiencing cyclic feelings of anxiety that can cause them to turn to substance use. Those challenged with anxiety and panic disorders may attempt to quell these intense feelings by utilizing drugs or alcohol to placate dangerous thoughts, feelings of fear and discomfort, and more.

Valentine's Day isn't necessarily an unconditional celebration of love. Many individuals in recovery will have to address the consequences of their actions while under the influence of addictive substances and the ways it has affected those closest to them. However, expressing guilt and making amends can be just as powerful an act of love, and can show the commitment each individual still has to continue through their healing process.

Treatment at Buena Vista Recovery helps men to address their mental health concerns while healing from addiction. As a result, men who undergo treatment at Buena Vista are more likely to maintain their sobriety.

If you are someone who has been told they have a dual diagnosis, it is important to find a facility that can help with both your mental health and addiction treatment.

If you're concerned about your husband's substance use, it can be helpful to learn more about what addiction is and what treatment options are available. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are treatable illnesses that affect brain chemistry. Alcohol and drug abuse can cause physical, emotional, financial, and social problems for your entire family, with severe consequences being life-threatening.

Drug and alcohol addictions are complex problems that affect millions of people every year. Overcoming addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) requires individuals to turn inward and reflect on the circumstances and situations that brought them to substance use.

When we think of addiction, we might picture a person with an addiction problem. These could be individuals who receive DUIs or those who can't hold a job because they can't stay sober during the week and therefore keep coming to work late. However, there are people struggling with addiction who may not even realize they have a problem. This can be especially true for young adults.

Addiction and mental health disorders are incredibly difficult to overcome on their own. However, many individuals may be challenged with overcoming both their use of drugs or alcohol and mental health disorders in tandem, called “co-occurring disorders.”

The recovery journey of overcoming addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) is complex and difficult, filled with discomforts, challenges, and more. For those that are not navigating the challenges of recovery, it can be difficult to understand and sympathize with these challenges, and the prospect of a “luxurious” recovery can be confusing.