When a spouse has an addiction problem, it is highly likely that they will try to hide it from their partner at first. It can also be conflicting for a spouse to judge their companion, particularly as we don’t want to misjudge someone we love.
If you suspect your spouse has an addiction problem, then you may want to look out for the following signs and symptoms, and learn what to do when your spouse is an addict.
How Can Drugs Affect Your Marriage?
People who take drugs and those around them are affected by them. This becomes particularly true in the household and with a spouse.
Some ways in which addiction can affect your marriage include:
- Causing arguments
- Family trauma
- Negatively impact the development of children
- Money problems in the relationship
- Infidelity
- Not taking care of the home
- Affect relationships with your friends and families
- Get spouse into trouble or having to cover for your spouse
- Domestic violence
- Drag spouse into addiction creating an addictive household
- Unnecessary stress
- Divorce
- Sexual challenges
- Becoming a “caretaker”
- “Fake Love”
- Neglecting family
Relationship trauma is often overlooked as a negative effect of drug abuse.
It is common for those struggling with addiction to suffer from mental illness and depression, which leads to difficulty relating to their spouses and children. In fact, many rehab centers offer family therapy to help the addict’s family recover from trauma together.
There are also groups like Al-Anon which are meant to be an equivalent of AA or NA for the family of the addict.
Signs Your Spouse Is an Addict
The best person to determine if there is a real problem is a recovery expert; however, there are signs and symptoms that could help you identify if your spouse is suffering from addiction.
These are some of the most common signs and symptoms that your wife may be an addict.
Physical Signs That Someone is Abusing Drugs
Physical signs can be observed in the body. These may be more noticeable while a person is using drugs, however, they are still present after they’ve sobered up.
Common physical signs that someone is abusing drugs include:
- Red or irritated eyes
- Dilated pupils
- Tremors or seizures
- Quick unexplained weight changes
- Extreme lethargy
- Strange odors on clothes like chemicals or smoke
- Jaw clenching
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Markings or bruising on the skin
- Being too hot or too cold
- Burn marks in fingers
- Skin peeling in the palm of the hand
- Getting sick often
- Having a heavily congested nose often
Behavioral Signs Someone is Abusing Drugs
Spotting changes in your spouse behavior could point to a problem.
Some of these include:
- Changes in social circles
- Secrecy, dishonesty, and deceit
- Lack of participation in family activities, sports, and other hobbies
- Signs of financial distress
- Problems with the law
- Not meeting responsibilities including at work and at home
- Not being able to locate your spouse or disappearing for days
- Not showing up to important events or meetings
- They are moody
What to Do When Your Spouse Is an Addict
Understanding a spouse’s addiction is the first step towards helping him or her.
It is possible to help an addicted spouse in a variety of ways. Addiction must be understood in its true meaning and how it manifests itself in different individuals.
Spouses often find it difficult to deal with addiction, especially if they don’t know how it manifests itself.
The best way to help them is to get help from a professional.
Getting Help
Now that you know what to do when your spouse is an addict, it’s time to get help.
Outpatient LA offers assessments and addiction treatment as well as family therapy that can help you and your spouse overcome the challenges of addiction.
Contact Outpatient LA today and to talk to one of our admission experts.