Not all partners are wives. In fact, many partners of addicts are not wives. Many are husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, and others. Yet, the powerful piece in my book entitled What My Wife is Worth was written for wives, to the exclusion of all these valuable others.. I want everyone to feel seen, so I’ve modified and updated this piece to include all partners. I invite you to read What My Partner is Worth, published yesterday on the SexAndRelationshipHealing.com blog.
If you haven’t read this piece, let me give you a fair warning here that this piece was written for partners, to help them realize their worth. When addicts read it, it can be both empowering and shame-inducing because it presents an ideal to shoot for. If you are an addict in recovery, let me remind you that healing is a long-term process; it takes time to make considerable changes. Still, I hope this piece inspires addicts to raise their level of commitment, not settling for passive recovery nor disrespecting the boundaries of partners who know they deserve better treatment. There is too much at stake to take recovery lightly.
If you need specialized help achieving the items on this list, please don’t hesitate to reach out for therapeutic or coaching assistance. I am here to support you.
May all partners and addicts discover their worth as they heal and work towards rebuilding their lives and relationships.
In support,
Forest Benedict, LMFT, SATP
Recovery Coach
