Just wondering if you can please tell me… When an addict is taking steps toward recovery – Does the lying and deceitful behaviour start to fade away from their personality or is this something that may be engrained and stay with them permanently if they have been doing the drugs and showing these psychological effects for a long time (10 yrs)?
My (as of just very recently ex) partner is just now taking his initial steps to rehabilitating his addiction to methamphetamines after approx 10 years of use. I still live with him at this stage and he has started taking these steps in order to keep our relationship going (of his own will, as a result of our break up). I am trying to be there for him as much as I can, but I am also very cautious of his lying and deceit. How can I know when he is truly following steps to recovery or if he is hiding any continuance or relapse?
Most of his lies and cover ups are not very well thought out and I am able to see through them quite easily and produce undeniable proof that they are lies (which generally results in a further spiral of bad lies to cover up the initial lie), but I know from past experience with him that there are other (better planned) lies that cannot be recognised so easily.
I am being very encouraging toward him taking these steps and I guess I don’t know where to stand at this initial point and how much to believe him and reward positive behaviour. I want so much to believe that he is on the road to full rehabilitation but I also know that it will not be easy and the road to recovery will not be bump-free.
Please provide any relevant guidance…