By Dr. Jennifer Baxt, DMFT, NCC, DCC
When most couples get married, there are few negative thoughts that will enter their minds; least of all is substance abuse. Most believe that when they get married, they will generally have a good marriage. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and many marriages will suffer difficulties, including problems with substance abuse. People change over time, so it is not always something that can be predicted, but it can happen. Stresses build, life becomes darker and this is where substance abuse can enter. It may not be noticed at first, but it will be when it becomes a full addiction that changes the husbands or wifes behavior, attitude and personality. When this does happen, it can leave the spouse without the addiction unsure of what to do next.
Can they help their partner? Should they leave or would that be wrong? How much is too much to put up with? They love this person, they care for them, but they dont think they can keep going through it; would it be selfish to leave the spouse who refuses to change and live their own life? These are just four examples of the many questions that enter ones mind. There is also the fear that can play into the situation, depending on what they feel they have to lose if they leave their addicted spouse. The fear involved can also depend on how verbally and/or physically abusive the spouse with the addiction can be. There is also the concern of the children, if there are any, especially if they are younger children under the age of twelve because they are incredibly impressionable during their younger years.
Dealing with such a situation is extremely stressful and draining. It is not one that anyone wants to experience, but many do around the world every day. At first, many will try and help their husband or wife fight their addiction; sometimes they are successful, other times they are not. Many will live in the situation for many years, while some will leave after a short time. It all depends on how long someone wants to, and can, try and put up with the situation and make the marriage work.
Going through such an experience is not only unnerving; it is confusing, frustrating and painful. It can make the victim feel very alone in the world and at a loss of what to do. Time stops for them and they are suddenly not living at all, just going through the motions every day, walking on eggshells and hoping that things will get better. What many dont realize, is that there is someone they can talk to. They even have access to an online counselor if they did a quick search online for online counselors. Online therapists are there to talk with anyone who asks for their help. They will work with the patient and help to guide them through their difficulties. Online therapy can be extremely beneficial to anyone who needs to find some direction in their life and decide on what they should do, because it can help them take some time out and seek out what they truly feel they should do.
Jennifer Baxt, works with people who are having trouble with their credit and want to improve their score. We offer solutions to credit problems by removing negative items from credit reports. You can visit our website http://www.creditrepairbydrjen.com for more information.
How to Free Your Partner and Why is it So Difficult?
By Vicka Tanski
In every relationship there are permitted and forbidden things. Sometimes we decide what are that things together with our partner and sometimes just in our mind.
How do we decide where the edge is and how much we can free our lover?
It depends on how much we love OURSELVES. It’s not a mistake, I really mean us. There is no connection to how much we love our partner.
The real reason to difficulty to free is FEAR:
1) We are afraid that our lover will enjoy the freedom and all the things that he meet there and will not want any more to come back to us.
2) When he/she enjoy someone very attractive from the opposite gender, it can be difficult because all we’ll see: I’m not good enough, or beautiful enough.
3) When we believe that we are not whole and not completed, we will want our partner to fill that lack. We will try to keep them close, because if they go we will have to face that hole inside, that lack of self love. And it can be painful.
But think, do you really want to be with someone, who stays with you only because he has no choice? Or
with one who is with you because he wants to?
Do you think that anything someone does can really heart you? It can’t even touch you!
All your feelings are just a reaction to judgment of the situation, to your thoughts. The reaction to the stories you are telling to yourself about what is happening. Stop to believe to that stupid stories and the suffering will disappear.
When you realize that all you are afraid of is unreal, that it’s only in your mind, there will not be any problem to free your partner. It’s absolutely his own business what he has in his life except you. Just as it’s your business what you are doing with yourself and with your life.
Be one with another to celebrate, not to run away from yourself. When the relationship comes from the right place, there is no problem to free one another. You don’t depend on anyone to feel great.
To get more practical tips on living in spiritual, mental and financial freedom, sign up to my newsletter here: http://www.The-Way-to-Freedom.com/?ref=jshtfy3
To your freedom,
Vicka Tanski.
Three Ideas That Will Get You Started When You Have to Hold a Difficult Conversation
By maureen collins
Talking is easy when people see the world in much the same way, when they know they can trust each other, when they have the best interests of each other at heart and when there is time to agree on exactly what has happened. It is all the other times that are the problem: when there is disagreement, when people have hidden agendas, when you are feeling accused or threatened, when you have been deceived or let down previously, and when the stakes are high.
Difficult conversations are unavoidable at times. As managers, we dread performance appraisal discussions with people who are not performing, but who are defensive at the least suggestion of feedback. As employees, we dread feedback from managers who give it loudly, in voices dripping with sarcasm, in front of our colleagues. We face difficult conversations with friends, neighbours and in personal and family relationships. And then there is the conversation we keep putting off with the colleague in the open plan office whose personal hygiene is suspect to say the least!
It is not difficult to see why people try to avoid these conversations. There are many strategies that we turn to. We retreat to the TV, hide behind a newspaper or become absorbed in a book. We deflect enquiry, freezing out friends and partners with the classic, No, no, I am fine, really! Then, knowing that attack is the best form of defense, we blame, accuse and exaggerate when we can hold our feelings in no longer.
When we do not speak up about things that concern us, the issues remain unresolved, relationships disintegrate, and we end up talking less and less. But it is surprising how little it takes to make the difference between a conversation that sounds like a street fight and a calm discussion of the issue that leads to agreement on a solution.
Start with three ideas.
First, take the age old advice to think before you speak and plan what you will say BEFORE you open the conversation. Count to 10. While you are counting, look at the situation from the perspective of the other person. While you may think that they are the cause of the problem, it is quite likely they feel just as strongly that you are the cause of the problem! There are always at least two sides to a problem. If you try to see sides other than your own, you are less likely to come across as arrogant, accusing and pushy.
Then focus on the facts. What exactly happened? Who said what? When? How? Where? Describe the events as clearly and precisely as you can. Try to separate the facts from your own opinions and how you feel about the situation. If you put the facts forward clearly, you allow people to hold different views of them, without having to challenge the facts themselves.
Thirdly, put a label on how you feel. Are you disappointed, embarrassed, uncertain, apprehensive, confused, hurt? Think how you can explain your feelings without accusing anyone of causing them. The difference between, I was embarrassed, and, You embarrassed me, is the accusation in the second statement that will come across loud and clear. You can be sure that if the person you are speaking to feels accused they will start to defend themselves, and the conversation will be all downhill from that point.
Start with these ideas and see what a difference they can make to your conversations and to your relationships with the people around you.
Maureen Collins has a B.Sc. degree in Psychology from Edinburgh University and over 25 years of consulting experience. She specialises in communication skills in the business world. In Straight Talk, she trains people how to handle difficult conversations, on difficult topics, with difficult people.
Get free Straight Talk Tips.
http://www.straight-talk.co.za
Find Out Information On Christian Matrimonials And Traditional Weddings
















