Love

Addiction can strain loving relationships, while recovery may support accountability, boundaries and the gradual rebuilding of trust.

Someone can love another person and still be hurt, angry, exhausted or afraid of their behaviour. Affection does not guarantee trust, safety or the ability to change another person's substance use. Support can have limits, and a person can choose distance or end a relationship without proving that they never cared. Recovery may open possibilities for change, but no one owes forgiveness or renewed closeness. Threats, coercion or violence need attention to safety and specialist support; immediate danger or serious injury needs emergency help.

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