Unhealthy Habits & Their Impact On A Marriage
Treatment
Overcome unhealthy habits and reconnect with your loved one
In any marriage, the behaviors of one partner can significantly affect the dynamics of the relationship. Unhealthy behaviors, whether emotional, psychological, or behavioral, can strain the bond between partners and lead to lasting damage if not addressed.
Research shows that couples in which one partner exhibits ongoing unhealthy behaviors are more likely to experience higher rates of conflict, dissatisfaction, and even divorce. In fact, studies suggest that unhealthy behaviors, such as poor communication or substance abuse, are contributing factors in nearly 50% of divorces.
Identifying and addressing these behaviors is crucial to preserving the health and longevity of the relationship. When both partners are committed to dealing with the issues, the marriage can not only survive but thrive.
The Impact of Unhealthy Habits on A Marriage:
- Detachment & Emotional Unavailability
- Unreliability
- Lack of trust and openness
- Financial instability
- Problems at work
- Reduced interest in personal maintenance
- Loss of interest in activities
What To Do If You Are Married To Someone Who Engages in Unhealthy Habits:
- Learn more about the behavior: It can be helpful to inform yourself about the nature, symptoms and treatments in order to better address the problem.
- Stop enabling: Once you have a clearer understanding of the situation and the types of enabling behaviors that a partner may engage in, it is essential to learn ways to establish appropriate boundaries in order to assist in helping address the problem.
- Care for yourself: It is essential to practice your own self care – focusing on your own mental and physical health, connecting with support. networks and establishing healthy ways to self regulate. In doing so, you become a better equipped to continue on this journey
- Seek help: It will be imperative for each of you to seek your own individual support while also working together as a couple.
How Couples Counseling Can Help
Couples counseling is a powerful tool for addressing unhealthy behaviors in a marriage. It provides a structured, non-judgmental environment where both partners can express their concerns and work toward positive change. Here’s how therapy can assist:
Identifying Unhealthy Patterns: A trained therapist helps couples recognize and name the unhealthy behaviors affecting their relationship, offering insights into how these patterns developed and their impact on both partners.
Improving Communication: Counselors guide couples in learning healthier communication techniques, such as active listening and assertiveness, to replace harmful habits like criticism, stonewalling, or avoidance.
Rebuilding Trust: For couples dealing with dishonesty or betrayal, counseling focuses on rebuilding trust through transparency, accountability, and consistent positive actions.
Developing Accountability: Counseling helps individuals take responsibility for their behavior and understand its impact on the relationship. This process fosters growth and promotes healthier, more responsible choices moving forward.
Addressing Underlying Issues: Often, unhealthy behaviors stem from deeper emotional issues, such as unresolved trauma, anxiety, or insecurity. Therapy provides a space for partners to explore and address these root causes.
Setting Boundaries: In situations where one partner engages in controlling or aggressive behaviors, therapy helps establish healthy boundaries that protect both partners and create a safer, more respectful environment.
Healing Emotional Wounds: Counseling provides support for processing the emotional damage caused by unhealthy behaviors, allowing both partners to heal and move forward.
At Navesink Wellness Center, we are committed to helping couples overcome the challenges of unhealthy behaviors and rebuild their relationship on a foundation of trust, respect, and mutual support. Whether you are dealing with communication issues, emotional neglect, or more serious behaviors like substance abuse or infidelity, our experienced counselors provide the tools and guidance needed to heal and strengthen your marriage.
The Focus Of Our Work Together
One goal of couples counseling is to identify and address any potentially unhealthy behaviors. In doing so, we work to understand the impact that these behaviors have had on the dynamic within the relationship and work to re-establish healthy connections to one another.
