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At a loss supporting my partner with addiction and poor mental health

honeyyyyNew Contributor31 July 2026, 2:39 pm AEST

At a loss supporting my partner with addiction and poor mental health

First time posting!

My partner has been working so hard over the last few years to cease IV heroin use (we started dating 2 years ago, he was trying to quit before he met me), and has been doing really well in recent months keeping up with his monthly shot. However now he’s reached a new challenge of learning how to cope with normal life. He hasn’t worked a stable job in about 12 months, he goes days without sleep and when he does get some it’s either on the couch or at his desk, he barely eats and doesn’t shower for weeks at a time. The cessation of heroin has evidently made his depression and anxiety more severe as he has completely forgotten how to cope without it. It makes me so horrendously upset for him, but I’m running out of steam as well. Thankfully we’re young enough so kids aren’t involved, but two of us living on my income is becoming so stressful.

My head is such a mess, so my question is simple and back to basics. How do I help? How do I help myself so I can help him?

2 replies

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In response to: At a loss supporting my partner with addiction and poor mental health

AinjouleSenior Contributor01 Aug 2026, 12:34 pm AEST

Re: At a loss supporting my partner with addiction and poor mental health

Hey @honeyyyy

Welcome to the forums.

Firstly, it sounds like your partner has already achieved something incredibly difficult by getting off heroin and sticking with his treatment. Recovery isn't just about stopping the drug. It's also about learning how to live without something that was once used to cope, and that can be an incredibly challenging adjustment.

I also want to acknowledge you. Supporting someone through recovery can be emotionally and financially exhausting. It's okay to admit that you're running out of steam. That doesn't mean you've failed him or that you don't love him. You can support him, but you can't do the recovery for him.

I hope things become a little easier for both of you. You're both carrying a heavy load at the moment.

In response to: At a loss supporting my partner with addiction and poor mental health

RadderSenior Contributor01 Aug 2026, 12:42 pm AEST

Re: At a loss supporting my partner with addiction and poor mental health

Hi @honeyyyy, that sounds like a very tough situation for both of you. Perhaps start with the service that provides his monthly shots to see if they can arrange counselling and to check for possible side effects.

AOD aside, the standard approach for each of you is to see your GP for a mental health plan, or drop into a Medicare Mental Health Centre (Head to Health or Mental Health & Wellbeing Local in Victoria). In the interim, Beyond Blue may be able to help https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/talk-to-a-counsellor

Some other services that specifically relate to AOD that you may also try:

https://www.each.com.au/services/lived-or-living-experience

https://www.fds.org.au

https://www.turningpoint.org.au

https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/national-alcohol-and-other-drug-hotline

You could also try SANE's Recoveryclub https://www.sane.org/recovery-club

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