If you notice your husband is abusing drugs or alcohol, it can be helpful to learn how to help your husband with drug addiction.
Need help getting addiction treatment?
With NSDUH data showing over 20 million adults in the United States have substance use disorder, many of Americans find themselves in a close relationship with a partner abusing substances. Not only can this type of addictive behavior undermine the relationship, but it can impact the whole family, especially if children are involved.
Helping an addicted spouse involves effort teamwork, and professional support. Read on to learn more about how to help your husband overcome addiction.
For help getting your husband into rehab, call our friendly recovery team at 866.330.9449 today.
Is My Husband Addicted to Drugs?
Addiction shows up for everyone in different ways, but there are common signs and symptoms you can recognize if you know what to look for.
Picking up on the signs of drug addiction is not always straightforward, and every situation is unique.
Signs your husband is struggling with addiction may include:
- Finding drug paraphernalia stashed around the house
- Noticing money vanishing without explanation
- Your husband starts spending more and more time socializing without you
- Being barraged with broken promises not to use substances
- Establishing that your husband appears unable to moderate or discontinue substance use
- Your partner driving while under the influence of drink or drugs
- Your husband’s actions start endangering others
- Health issues developing in your partner
- Your partner starts experiencing problems at work, possibly even losing his job
While none of the above signs means your husband is an addict, if you notice several of these symptoms manifesting together, it might be time to initiate a discussion about treatment and recovery.
My Husband is on Drugs, What Do I Do?
Here are 5 easily actionable steps you can take right now:
The more you learn about addiction, the more it will help you to understand why your husband is abusing drugs.
As you discover more about the power of cravings, and how the brain undergoes changes to function and structure after prolonged periods of drug abuse, the more you’ll realize you don’t need to feel unloved or unwanted.
Ultimately, the more you know about addiction and recovery, the more effectively you can help your husband get the help he really needs.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help once you have established that your husband is abusing drugs.
Start by broaching the issue with your healthcare provider and ask for referrals to the resources and services you need.
Kickstart the process of finding the right rehab center to get your husband back on track. Crucially, the variety of outpatient treatment programs at your disposal means rehab does not necessarily need to mean remortgaging the heads and packing your spouse off for a month or two in an inpatient facility.
At this stage, you may still find some resistance to engaging with treatment, and this is to be expected. Revisit the idea with your husband again at a later date. Do not ignore the issue, though. Addiction is highly unlikely to resolve itself.
If your husband shows an interest in attending 12-step support groups, encourage him to do so.
Express your unwavering support and commitment to help your husband throughout his recovery, but emphasize that he needs to do the hard work himself.
It can be exhausting and debilitating being married to someone battling drug addiction.
Make certain to look after yourself physically and emotionally, and don’t neglect your own needs and welfare.
While you are understandably keen to see your partner change, change often unfolds gradually.
Be prepared for a long journey alongside your husband to complete recovery, and be prepared for this not to happen overnight.
Learning how to live with a drug-addicted spouse is challenging, so you should begin by learning as much as you can about the progressive and relapsing disease of addiction. You should also explore the most effective methods of treatment.
The difficulties you’ll encounter along the way will depend to some extent on the substance in question. For example, crack cocaine abuse involves a very different set of problems to alcoholism or heroin addiction.
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the most common problems for couples impacted by substance abuse within the relationship are:
- Financial problems
- Legal issues (drunk driving, illicit drug use, child custody issues)
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
If you feel in any danger due to your husband’s behavior, you should seek help immediately, whether from a healthcare provider, from legal authorities, or from a substance abuse treatment center.
Get Addiction Treatment for Your Husband at Renaissance Recovery
If your husband accepts that he has a substance use disorder and he is ready to take action, we’re here to help him and you at Renaissance Recovery Center.
Our personalized outpatient treatment programs include PHPs (partial hospitalization programs) and IOPs (intensive outpatient programs) mean your husband will get the level of structure and support he needs to kickstart his recovery.
Through evidence-based MAT (medication-assisted treatment) delivered in combination with psychotherapy and counseling, your partner will soon be back in your loving arms and substance-free.
Reach out to Renaissance Recovery’s California rehab today to learn more about how to help your husband or wife with a drug addiction.
Our recovery team is available 24/7 to help you get help for your husband at 866.330.9449.
