is it suppose to feel like work?

so me and my fiance have been dealing with his drug addiction and alcohol addiction for about a year and a half. I have been supporting him through everything but for about 7 months he has been living in another state for work. I was suppose to move out there but because his alcohol problem has been bad I have decided not to move out there and to stay where I'm at, because I have friends and family here, so he is moving back. well these last 7 months I've came to know who I am again and it has made me realize how much work this relationship is.... I know relationships aren't easy but for the majority of the time I feel like I'm working to make this relationship stay alive instead of it just feeling natural. is it normal to feel like this? am I just over reacting? any advice is greatly appreciated!