Abuse and addiction are two of the worst situations that can befall a loved one. Sadly, you can feel almost helpless as they fall deeper and deeper into abuse and addiction, making up multiple excuses for their behavior and the behavior of their abuser. It's easy to feel like your loved one is doomed.
That simply isn't the case: there are ways that you can help your loved one get out of an abusive relationship and into a caring and loving rehab environment. It won't be easy: in fact, it will challenge your personal and emotional strength. But it's something that must be done.
Why Do People Stay In Abusive Relationships?
Watching your loved one suffer through …show more content…
That makes understanding the connection between abuse and addiction a necessary step in getting your loved one out of an abusive relationship and into rehab.
The Connection Between Abuse And Addiction
People don't realize how often abuse and addiction go hand-in-hand to drag a person's life down. The reasons for this are complex, but one of the major connections (if not THE major connection) is trauma. People in abusive relationships often life on the razor edge of regular trauma, a problem that can cause post-traumatic stress disorder.
People experiencing these problems often feel anxious, depressed, nervous, or constantly personally threatened. In an abusive relationship, the latter feeling is likely true. Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder requires serious psychological counseling and a removal from any situation that causes trauma and stress. Unfortunately, when your loved one is in an abusive relationship, they can't step away from that trauma.
At this point, drugs and alcohol often become a promising way to numb the pain of their trauma. Sitting around with a constant high or buzz makes it easier to ignore their abusive relationship. In fact, it may be a way to bond with their abuser, a method that only leads to further abuse and