When a family member is in the throes of addiction, it is also important for family members to seek the guidance of addiction professionals in order to cope with the challenges of living with an addict. Living with and loving a substance abuser seems like a bad idea, but it happens for various reasons. One might be a condition called codependency, in which the spouse or partner feels an unrealistic sense of responsibility for the addict's actions and wellbeing, fear of abandonment, the need to control everything around him or her, and perhaps a skewed understanding of love and healthy relationships. And when the addict is in recovery, a codependent partner might feel smothering. Again, it is of utmost importance when dealing with addiction that partners and families are treated as well.