Alcohol and drug rehabilitation remains the most intensive way for people suffering from substance abuse disorders to get help. They’re well-respected and shown to aid in the process of getting well. While this is generally agreed upon, people suffering from substance abuse disorders or who are on the cusp of a disorder that isn’t quite to a “clinical” juncture yet sometimes don’t realize there’s a problem. If you’re wondering why a spouse is asking you to go to alcohol and drug rehabilitation but feel like you don’t have a problem, you might be one of those people who is in danger of developing a full-blown substance abuse disorder.
A spouse is someone who cares deeply about you. They live with you on a daily basis, see parts of your life that you may overlook because you’re the one living them, not seeing them, and often have helpful advice to offer. While there’s nothing that says you have to take your spouse’s advice on entering a rehabilitation program, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider their observation. It might just improve your life.
Why a Spouse Might Demand Rehabilitation
If a spouse suggests that you go to an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program, it might be because they’re concerned. If a spouse demands that you go into one of these programs, it’s a sign that something much more serious than you might realize is going on. Demands aren’t usual in a marriage. Suggestions, strong recommendations, and even encouragement are usual. On the other hand, demands are uncommon and a real sign that some part of your life is drastically interfering with a part of their lives.
A demand that you go to a rehabilitation center is a demand that you get help. It’s not a demand that is meant to interfere with your life in a negative way. It’s their way of saying that they care about you, and they’re not going to let a substance abuse problem destroy your life. That doesn’t mean it’s not something that you don’t want to address right now or that you’re ready for inpatient treatment, but it is in no way something you should feel distressed or offended by. After all, your spouse loves you, and they’ve seen signs that substance abuse is taking a toll on your life.
Ways Substance Abuse Affects a Life
When you’re married, you’re still just a single person here. What you do affects your spouse and vice versa. Instead of looking at this as “you vs them,” look at as one part of your unit acknowledging a problem you’re not acknowledging yet. Your spouse might demand rehab if they’ve noticed:
- Negative changes in your personality
- Financial stress because of spending on drugs and/or alcohol
- Negative effects on your health because of drinking or drug use
- Negative changes in the quality of your communication with them
Suggesting and even demanding rehab is a sign that you need to seriously assess your drug and/or alcohol use. What part of your actions might be alarming to your spouse? What things are you doing that would cause them to worry about you and/or the state of your marriage as it currently is? Honestly look at your behavior since you’ve been drinking a lot of drugging, and ask yourself how your actions are affecting your spouse’s life. Do you like your life the way it is now, or would you like to see some changes?
How Inpatient Rehabilitation Can Help
Whether you go to an inpatient or outpatient program, it’s going to drastically shed light on what might be going on at this stage of your drug or alcohol use. Individual counseling and group meetings with and without your spouse in an outpatient setting might help you understand your spouse’s position more. If you feel like you don’t have a problem, you can address that with your spouse in a controlled, mediated setting in a counselor’s office.
While not everyone accused of having a drug or alcohol problem has one, there’s not one person who wouldn’t from a little counseling. If you’re deadset against inpatient rehab right now, you might recommend outpatient counseling with your spouse to show that you want to resolve the issue. Many options are available to you and your spouse. The sooner you explore these options, the better.
If you’d like to learn more about getting help or other facets of drug and alcohol abuse, please call now at (440) 253-9915.
