Addiction is often called a family disease because of the way that it can affect the people around the person with a substance use disorder. A person’s family dysfunction can also contribute to a substance use disorder. Addiction treatment has not always widely involved partners, spouses, or family members. However, more treatment programs are including therapy that involves family and partners. Family and couples’ therapy can be a helpful tool in addressing some of the underlying issues that have contributed to a substance use disorder. It also helps to facilitate social healing between someone with a substance use disorder and their family members.Even after you complete treatment, your recovery process will not be over. Recovery is a lifelong commitment, and you will need all the support you can get. Letting a partner into the recovery processes can help you bolster your support system, and it can help them prepare for what comes next.Couples are often profoundly affected by addiction. In many cases, a spouse or a loved one can go through a lot of stress and anxiety while their loved one is in active addiction. It’s important to note that addiction is a disease that affects the brain in a way that creates powerful compulsions to use. People with severe substance use disorders may feel desperate to find and use their particular drug of choice. Because of this, they may feel compelled to lie, steal, and manipulate to support their addiction. People in recovery often feel extreme guilt for things they did during active addiction. Loved ones may also harbor resentment after being manipulated or lied to.However, spouses and partners that used to use drugs or alcohol alongside the person in recovery may feel resentment for a different reason. When a person goes through treatment and becomes committed to a sober lifestyle, their partner may feel abandoned or jealous. They may also feel like the person in recovery has changed significantly after going through rehab.Seeking Addiction TreatmentAddiction is a chronic disease that’s difficult to deal with on your own. With the right treatment plan and professionals to guide you through it, you may be able to achieve lasting freedom from active addiction.