Living With A Drug Addict Husband
- February 13, 2022
- Prosperity Haven
- Addiction Treatment
Having a spouse addicted to drugs can be extremely difficult. For many people, the stress and threat of violence can be too much to handle. You may simply want to leave your husband and try to start a new chapter in your life. However, if you believe that your spouse has the ability to change and overcome their addiction, you will likely try everything in your power to help.
Fortunately, it is rare for someone to be completely beyond hope. There are dozens of different treatment methods to help wean abusers off of drugs and help them focus their time and energy on healthier, more productive pursuits. At Prosperity Haven, we pride ourselves on our world-class drug rehab and treatment facilities. With our expertise, you can help your spouse fight their addiction and take back control of their life.
Before we discuss the treatment options available to drug addicts, it is important to understand different aspects of drug addiction. Many drug abusers do not know or refuse to admit that they are addicted. Similarly, many spouses prefer to live in denial about their husband’s drug problem. So, in today’s article, we are going to provide you with the information you need to understand drug addiction, recognize the signs, cope with the difficulties of a drug-addicted husband, and find professional help for their condition.
Understanding What Drug Addiction Is
Drug addiction, frequently known as substance abuse disorder, is recognized as a disease. This means that it is not a moral decision or a lack of fortitude. Addiction is an actual disease that can be triggered by various factors, from genetics to trauma. To understand it further, it’s best to look at the standard definition of drug addiction. According to the Mayo Clinic, a drug addiction “is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication.”
While some drugs are far more addictive than others, drug addiction is not something that happens overnight. In most cases, it begins with the experimentation of illicit drugs or even the use of prescribed medications like opioids. Over time, the person will begin to use the drugs more frequently, increasing their physical and mental dependence on the drug. Eventually, this will affect their behavior, causing them to engage in risker actions just to acquire their next “fix” and hide their addiction.
Understanding drug addiction is one of the best ways to learn how to help a drug addict. If you look at addiction as a kind of “bad choice” that the addict needs to atone for, you could end up doing more harm than good. So, always remember to approach the issue with compassion, love, and patience. That said, before you can even begin the recovery process with your spouse, you need to know the signs of drug addiction.
Signs Of Drug Addiction
As time goes on, the symptoms of drug addiction can worsen. This is why it is so important to identify addiction as soon as possible. While the exact symptoms vary based on the type of drugs used, here are a few of the most common signs of drug addiction:
- Absenteeism or Poor Performance – Being late for school or work, failing to complete work or school tasks, or showing a general decline in overall performance.
- Health Problems – Low energy, a lack of motivation, weight fluctuations, frequent illness (like colds or fever), or discoloration of the skin or eyes (usually red or yellow).
- Poor Hygiene – Failure to take care of clothing, physical hygiene, or overall appearance.
- Reclusiveness and Secrecy – Taking extra steps to hide activities from you or other family members, spending more time by themselves, or preventing others from entering certain rooms or areas of the home.
- Irritability or Hostility – Aggression, abusive language, irritability, mood swings, or violence can occur among some drug abusers.
- Money Problems – Asking for money without providing the reason, stealing money, or selling items of value without notifying others.
As you can see, drug addiction can have negative effects on various aspects of the addict’s life, as well as the lives of their family members. If you notice drug addict behavior in your spouse, you should investigate further to know if you are actually dealing with addiction or something else entirely. In the event that your husband is abusing drugs, it is important to act quickly to get them help, as the effects of drug addiction can quickly destroy lives.
How To Cope With A Drug Addict Husband
One of the hardest parts of being married to a drug addict is simply getting through the day-to-day struggles. Your husband may not be coherent at times or able to deal with his responsibilities to you or the rest of the family. If the addiction makes your husband abusive, you may even consider removing yourself (and your children) from the situation entirely. While support and compassion are important, you should always make sure to protect yourself and ensure that your health and safety, and the health and safety of others in your household, are your first priorities.
Fortunately, dealing with a drug addict spouse does not mean that you have to pack your bags and leave in the middle of the night. In fact, millions of people learn to live with a drug addict and attempt to help them overcome their addiction. This means that being in a relationship with a drug addict requires some tough choices and a lot of mental and emotional strength.
So, here are a few tips to help you cope with a drug addict husband:
- Ensure Your Safety – Many drug addicts do not display any kind of violent or abusive behavior. However, behavioral changes can happen over time, and they can even worsen if your husband’s access to their drug of choice is suddenly cut off. So, always make sure to ensure your safety by assessing the situation and the severity of your spouse’s condition.
- Ask For Professional Help – It would be very difficult for a spouse to help their husband overcome addiction by themselves. More often than not, your husband will require professional help. This will help reduce the risk of relapse or severe withdrawal and increase the chance of complete recovery.
- Be Patient and Compassionate – When someone is addicted to drugs, they are suffering. At a certain point, many addicts recognize that the drug is doing more harm than good, but they have become so dependent on it that they cannot stop. For this reason, you should try your best to cultivate patience and compassion with your husband. This way, you can work through their disease as a team.
How To Get Help For A Drug-Addicted Spouse
Getting professional help is one of the most important steps you can take to help your spouse with drug addiction. Drug rehab centers and residential drug treatment programs are two of the most common options. However, the type of drug addiction treatment your spouse requires will depend on the type of drug(s) they use and how long they have been abusing them. In any case, by seeking out help from experts at Prosperity Haven’s drug addiction rehab, you and your spouse can get the drug addiction help you need.
Is your spouse struggling with their drug addiction? Are you looking for treatment options that target each patient’s specific needs? Finally, are you looking for a comprehensive drug abuse treatment center that provides a wide range of effective treatment options? If so, feel free to contact the experts at Prosperity Haven to learn more.
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