All relationships ebb and flow with varying levels of intimacy and closeness. Life activities can get in the way of really spending time together. Little changes gradually may not seem like a big deal until one day, you wake up feeling like you don’t even know the person you married.
Addiction may be the hidden problem driving a wedge between you and your spouse. If this is the reality for you, seek help immediately before your loved one continues slipping away down the treacherous road of addiction. Read on for signs of drug addiction in a spouse. For immediate help, call 888-414-2380 (Who Answers?) .
1. Secretive Behavior and Lies
Catching your spouse in a lie is disheartening. People lie for a variety of reasons, usually to avoid trouble. However, if you find yourself uncovering more and more untruths, this is a definite warning sign. Secret charges on the credit card, unexplained absences or being late to events, and stories that just don’t add up are all signs of addiction.
It is easy to deny, excuse and minimize these behaviors in the hopes that addiction is not present, but the sooner a spouse is able to look clearly at the dishonest behavior, the sooner a spouse may be on the road to help.
2. Unfamiliar Objects
Lies and secretive behavior are common with drug addiction, and can cause marital problems.
Drugs and paraphernalia change day to day as more and more chemicals and methods of using them crop up. Marijuana is constantly being processed in a variety of ways making it stronger and more potent. There are also a variety of internet-based chemicals that are available from other countries, but are illegal in the United States.
Finding any sort of object that seems odd or out-of-place can be an indicator of drug abuse.
3. Moodiness
Addiction to drugs and alcohol can cause moodiness. Often, spouses of those suffering from substance use disorders don’t know who they will greet in their home. Frequent mood changes and extreme moods are common. Look for the following:
- Anxiety
- Euphoria
- Anger
- Depression
- Guilt
- Withdrawal
4. Communication Difficulties
It may seem nearly impossible to communicate with a spouse in full-blown addiction. Addicts tend to shift the spotlight away from themselves or the original topic onto something or someone else. Often, the spouse takes the brunt of this communication diversion. If communication seems to be going nowhere on a regular basis, this can be a simple sign that addiction is driving the conversation.
5. Personality Changes
After even a short time in addiction, a person in a close relationship will notice immediate personality changes in their mate. A loving, thoughtful spouse, may become entirely self-absorbed. A spouse with a sense of humor may become morbidly serious. A partner who was meticulously organized, may become a slob. Acknowledging these changes is an important step to confronting the problem of addiction head-on.
Help is Available
If you suspect your spouse needs help, call 888-414-2380 (Who Answers?) where competent, caring professionals are standing by to assist you. Even if you are uncertain, reaching out for help can be the best step for you and your spouse. Often, an objective person can help provide insight and see addiction more clearly.
Resources
DEA (2017). How to identify drug paraphernalia. Get Smart About Drugs. Retrieved on March 26, 2017 from: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/how-identify-drug-paraphernalia
NIH (2014). Drugs, brains and behavior: The science of addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved on March 26, 2017 from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-abuse-addiction