Your Husband has an Addiction – Now What?

Your husband hasn’t been himself lately. He’s withdrawn, secretive, snaps at the kids and has bouts of aggression – leaving you confused and extremely concerned. As difficult as this may be to accept, your life partner may be suffering from a substance abuse problem, or addiction.

Other indicators of drug dependence include sudden moodiness, difficulty sleeping, irresponsible spending and disinterest in favorite hobbies. You may also get the feeling that your best friend and lover is keeping secrets from you, and that your relationship is falling apart. These are just some of the signs that your husband may have a problem with drug or alcohol abuse.

Risk Factors for Addiction

You’re pretty sure your suspicions are correct. So what are the factors that make someone prone to an addiction?

According to one of the most reputable rehabilitation centers in the United States, Prescott House, there are several risk factors that could make a person genetically, economically or psychologically prone to addiction:

Genetic Factors: It might seem a little surprising that there is no single genetic link between addict parents and their children. However, kids inherit certain behaviors from their parents, such as how they cope with stress, trauma, or mental illness. Gender also plays a role because men are twice as likely as women to develop addictions problems.

Economic Factors: Economic conditions, such as unemployment and living in poverty, are also risk factors that can lead to addictive behavior.

Psychological Factors: If your husband was neglected, abused, had a family history or was exposed to illegal substances at an early age, then these factors may have contributed to his dependence. Mental illness, peer pressure and stress are other psychosocial risk factors contributing to addiction.

How Do I Get Help?

A spouse with a substance abuse problem needs professional help to recover. Trying to tackle your husband’s dependence on your own will be stressful to the entire family and might actually worsen the situation.

Because men are hesitant to appear weak or vulnerable, the best option is to find a rehabilitation facility that caters specifically to men. Prescott House is one such center that is located in Arizona.

The benefits of these treatment facilities extend beyond addressing the substance abuse problem. Your husband will be in a safe environment where there’s a focus on life skills, where his peers hold him accountable, and where he relearns to be a man of integrity. Patients also find out how to deal with their feelings in a constructive way.

My Husband Refuses to Go to Rehab

People who abuse drugs or alcohol often deny that they have a problem, making them reluctant to seek help. In this case, you may have to resort to an intervention to get your husband the treatment he needs.

Interventions should be carefully planned, and other family members, friends, colleagues, a counsellor or other health professional could be enlisted to assist with the process. With the right approach, though, this intervention can be your husband’s first step toward a sober, healthy lifestyle.