Admitting the truth is key if you want to help instead of enabling, or worse, get drawn into misusing drugs or alcohol yourself. Knowing what to do in the event of a relapse, and better yet, being able to prevent a relapse, can make a difference. If your boyfriend has relapsed, the most important thing you can do is encourage him to seek professional help. Addiction is a serious disease, and it’s one that he can’t manage on his own. Men’s addiction recovery centers offer a variety of relapse prevention programs that can help.

How to Cope with a Partner’s Relapse

Before you learn how to support someone who has relapsed, make sure you don’t put yourself or your recovery in danger. You can’t do much to help if you pick up too. There are two main risks that may present when someone we love returns to drug or alcohol use after a period of sobriety. The first is denial. No one wants to believe the worst about someone they love. Be on guard for this.

Remember that the person who picks up a drug or a drink is not the only one at risk of hiding from the truth. You can’t help someone if you are covering for them and enabling them. The second risk is the possibility of yourself relapsing or developing a substance use disorder for the first time.

The best coping skills involve taking care of yourself first and foremost. This means being honest about what you can handle before committing to anything. It also means maintaining your own sobriety at all costs. If you feel like you can’t handle it, or if you think your own sobriety is in danger, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

My Boyfriend Relapsed, How Do I Help Him?

People in recovery often have partners in recovery. This can be wonderful when they can support one another. But it also means if one partner relapses, the other may be at risk. Remember, if you’re in recovery and your partner relapses, you must do everything you can to protect your own recovery. Do all you can, within reason, to help your partner, but not at the price of your own sobriety.

If anything, you should double down on reinforcing your recovery because you’ll need it. Be aware that protecting your own sobriety may mean making some painful decisions. “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” is a good mantra in times like these.

Here are three helpful tips on how to support someone who has relapsed while protecting your recovery.

Be Supportive but Careful

Be ready to listen and show support. Do what you can to help them pick up their recovery and work through things, but don’t be pushy or condescending. Show empathy and avoid judgment. Sometimes just being there is enough. If you are in recovery, be very careful not to lose sight of your own needs. Increasing your own commitment to recovery is an excellent way to counteract the stress of the situation, and it will also help your partner.

Empower but Don’t Enable

Encourage your partner to strengthen ties with their fellowship or their sober supports. Do whatever you can, within reason, to help them back on the horse. Just make sure that you don’t make excuses for them in the process if they continue to use. Don’t cover for them or insulate them from consequences. You may just be denying them the discomfort they need to stop using sooner. Be kind but firm. Don’t enable harmful behaviors.

Stay Positive and Connected

Keeping an optimistic attitude can be tough in this situation. But letting your partner know you believe in them really helps. Stay positive and get connected to your own support system. Make sure people you trust know what’s going on. Trying to bear the burden on your own isn’t healthy. If you’re in recovery yourself, put it to use. Your sober support can help support you and help you avoid sliding into codependency or relapsing yourself.

Getting Help from Promises Brazos Valley

If someone you love is living with addiction, Promises Brazos Valley is here to help. Please give us a call at any time at 979.426.0086. If you have questions about how to support someone who has relapsed or you want to know more about treatment, don’t be shy. We’ve been down this road before and we know the way.

Knowing how to support someone who has relapsed can feel like a bit of a mystery sometimes. Maybe you’re asking yourself, “My boyfriend relapsed; what can I do about it?” Simply admitting that truth to yourself is a great start. Say it out loud to yourself. More than once if you need to. “My boyfriend relapsed.” Tell someone you trust, “my boyfriend relapsed.”

Admitting the truth is key if you want to help instead of enabling, or worse, get drawn into using yourself. In this article, we’ll help you understand how to support someone who has relapsed while keeping yourself safe. Keep reading to learn how to cope with relapse while protecting yourself.