When you are in an intimate relationship with a partner or spouse, it can be difficult to see the situation from an outsider’s perspective. Intense emotions and complex circumstances can make toxic relationships appear normal to the individuals involved in them. Staying in a toxic relationship, however, can have a serious effect on your mental health as well as your other relationships and responsibilities. Knowing the signs of a toxic relationship can help you determine if you need to make big changes, whether that means seeking professional help as a couple, or walking away from the situation entirely. Toxic relationships usually involve a highly manipulative person engaging in what some psychologists call “covert aggression”. This involves behavior that causes one person to feel coerced or seduced into doing things for the other person they don’t genuinely want to do. Toxic individuals can be very charming and may prey on the vulnerabilities of their partners, such as the desire to feel needed. Toxic relationships also usually involve one individual consistently making the other individual feel guilty or responsible for the state of the relationship, even when most problems stem from their own actions. Substance abuse is a common factor in toxic relationships, although not everyone struggling with addiction is manipulative or unwilling to take responsibility for their actions. If you feel your relationship may be toxic, but you think drugs or alcohol might be contributing to your relationship’s decline, talk to your partner about seeking professional help. However, if you have developed a substance use disorder while attempting to cope with the treatment of a toxic partner, it may be time to leave your relationship and prioritize your own mental and physical health.
If you or someone you love has developed an addiction, now is the time to reach out for help. At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor, you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.