Search Results: when to discuss marriage

This site rarely has questions about alcohol and drug addiction in relationships but it is an important issue. It is an ugly issue to discuss. I'll start the conversation.

My ex-wife became a prescription pill addict during our marriage. She was diagnosed with MS and she received too many medications for pain. When she was taking pills on a regular basis, she wasn't employed, she didn't work around our home, and she spent much time sleeping. When she was awake, she was irritable and disagreeable. There was no joy in my life! She was a prisoner to her drugs but I felt that I, too, had been taken captive. Divorce freed me from the bonds of her disease and life is much better now.

Alcoholics and drug addicts will rarely admit that they are addicts. Quite often, you may hear, "I can't be an alcoholic because I get up and go to work every day!" Not true! A person is an alcoholic if they do not control their drinking and, as a result, their work, or family or social interactions are significantly affected. If their drinking causes frequent arguments in your home, they are probably an alcoholic, regardless of whether they admit it. The same definition applies to drug addiction.

Have you been involved with an alcoholic or drug addict? If it was an ex, was that a significant factor in your breakup? Did you make efforts to get them into treatment before the relationship ended? Were they ever receptive to your efforts to help them? Did their use of alcohol or drugs influence you to use or to use more than previously?