💔 “I Still Love Him, But I Don’t Know Who He’s Become…”

When one person in a relationship struggles with alcohol, ganja, tobacco, or prescription pill use, the impact doesn’t stay limited to their body or brain. It begins to strain trust, communication, intimacy, and over time—the very foundation of the relationship.

In Chennai, where relationships often balance traditional roles, financial dependencies, and family expectations, substance use within couples or families can cause confusion, guilt, and silent suffering.

Whether it’s a spouse hiding alcohol bottles, a partner misusing sleeping pills, or a young adult stuck in cannabis dependence—relationships start to fray before anyone even realizes there’s an addiction.

⚠️ How Substance Use Affects Relationships

1. Trust Breakdowns

• Lying about use, hiding pills or alcohol

• Broken promises (“I’ll stop from tomorrow”)

• Frequent disappearances or erratic behavior

2. Emotional Distance

• Mood swings, irritability, or emotional shutdown

• Replacing intimacy with substances

• Feeling “alone in the relationship” even when physically present

3. Financial Stress

• Spending on substances, neglecting family responsibilities

• Job loss or poor work performance due to substance use

4. Co-dependence

• The non-using partner tries to fix, monitor, or control the user

• Eventually leads to exhaustion, resentment, and emotional burnout

5. Neglect and Abuse

• Verbal outbursts, emotional neglect, or even physical abuse during intoxication or withdrawal phases

• Children witnessing conflict or chaos at home

👩‍❤️‍👨 Who Gets Affected?

• Spouses of alcohol or prescription drug users

• Partners of individuals with cannabis or gaming addiction

• Parents of young adults struggling with substance use

• Siblings or adult children caught between care and confrontation

Even when the user is “functioning,” the emotional cost on their loved ones can be huge and lasting.

💡 Why Many Partners Stay Silent

In Chennai, many partners—especially women—suffer quietly due to:

• Fear of social stigma (“What will people say?”)

• Hope that “he will change” after marriage, childbirth, or career growth

• Pressure to preserve family reputation

• Financial dependence or lack of family support

• Misunderstanding addiction as a “bad habit” rather than a mental health issue

“He’s not a bad person. But I’ve lost the person I married.”
“I keep forgiving him. But I’m breaking inside.”
“Our home looks normal. But it’s not okay.”

🧠 Healing Is Possible – For Both the Individual and the Relationship

At Apollo Clinic, Velachery & Tambaram, we offer integrated treatment that addresses both substance use and relationship repair.

Treatment Plans Include:

🔹 Assessment of the addiction and emotional fallout
🔹 Detox or tapering (if needed) – safe and structured
🔹 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – for both substance use and emotional regulation
🔹 Couple counselling or family therapy – to rebuild communication and boundaries
🔹 Relapse prevention plans with joint accountability
🔹 Support for the non-using partner – to heal from emotional trauma

We treat addiction not just as a disease of the brain, but as a relationship disruptor—and recovery as a relationship rebuilder.

🔓 Your Relationship Deserves a Second Chance

Whether you are the one using—or the one affected—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

📍 Apollo Clinic – Velachery & Tambaram
📱 8595155808
🌐 www.srinivasaiims.com

“Substance use can damage relationships. But with the right support, relationships can also become the reason people recover.”

✍️ About the Author

Dr. Srinivas Rajkumar T, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry)
Consultant Psychiatrist | Apollo Clinic, Velachery & Tambaram
Trained at AIIMS & NDDTC – India’s Apex Institute for Addiction Psychiatry

Dr. Srinivas offers structured, compassionate addiction care that includes the emotional and interpersonal aspects of recovery. His work focuses on not just breaking the addiction cycle—but restoring trust, communication, and self-worth in families and couples affected by substance use.