HELPING HAND –
April 4, 2025 – “Recovery affects both people in the relationship—not just the one with addiction. Partners might feel stressed or anxious. Sometimes even resentful, especially if trust has been an issue, or if they’ve taken on extra responsibilities as the result of their partner’s substance use,” Dr. Stacy adds.
If you’ve helped a friend or a loved one deal with addiction, you’re not alone. Almost 49 million people in the United States ages 12 and older struggle with substance use disorder.1 For many adults, their partners walk the journey beside them. As you watch someone you love go through the physical, mental, and emotional toll of becoming sober, your approach to the process can be pivotal to their recovery success.
“A partner’s attitude and view of recovery can make a huge difference. I’ve had patients whose partners lift them up and patients whose partners tear them down. It absolutely impacts their long-term success,” explains Sylvie Stacy, MD, MPH, Medical Officer at Rehab.com.
