Drug addiction emerges as various symptoms that affect the overall quality of life. Besides impacting the physical health and mental well-being, drug abuse can also interfere with a person’s relationships. Now that people are becoming more aware of substance abuse, more and more spouses and partners can identify if their loved one is involved in drugs. Surveys reveal that one of the most common causes of divorce among US married couples is drug addiction. If the couple has children, it can be rough on them. Living with a partner who abuses drugs can be detrimental and emotionally draining.
Such people tend to lash out whenever they don’t have a fix. They have trouble balancing their feelings and getting their life together. Drug abusers are often not financially independent and may rely on their spouses for money. Quite often, they spend most of the cash on buying new substances. Now the real question is how to find out whether your partner is doing drugs or not.
You will need to look out for some tell-tale signs to see if they may or may not be involved in substance abuse. Also, if you notice at least 2 to 3 of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek necessary assistance right away.
1. Attempt to be lonely
Wanting to be alone in a relationship isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s important to keep the relationship healthy and give each other space. However, if your partner wants to spend a lot of time alone and too often, it may be because of substance abuse. They might want to ditch your company so they could sneak around and do some drugs. According to experts at Delphi Health Group recovery center, at times, relentless blaming and judging your partner for drug addiction can also contribute to them being distant instead of causing any positive change.
2. Sleep problems
Partners with drug addiction might also have sleep problems. They may spend most of their nights outdoors, and you won’t see them much in bed at a reasonable time. Substance abusers are either unavailable at home for a long time or might sleep for many hours straight. Every drug has a different effect on sleep quality. If your partner spends a restless night waking up and sleeping on and off, they might be addicted to heroin. If they do cocaine, your partner would have short sleep cycles. Some forms of marijuana might make them too sleepy, while others could cause hyperactivity.
3. Lack of interest
Is your partner showing a sudden lack of interest in you, and their commitment seems to be faltering? Although it is quite common for couples to fall in and out of love during their relationship journey, if it happens all of a sudden, your partner could be doing drugs. It’s possible substance cravings could drive them away from you and their responsibilities. They might find comfort with another group who are also addicts. You might also want to ensure they aren’t cheating on you as drug abuse results in rapid decision-making and performing intercourse with strangers.
4. Money theft
Many drug abusers tend to steal from their spouses to pay for their fixes. If you notice money missing from your wallet or purse, keep a closer eye on their activities. Make sure you put your savings in a safe place and away from their reach. It’s best not to inform your partner of your earnings as they might try to use the money to purchase drugs. Additionally, if you put loads of money in safety deposits or banks, try to monitor the expenditure as it could fluctuate depending on how much they are using.
5. Lies and secrets
Do you suspect your spouse is lying to or keeping secrets from you? Drug abuse can make people fidgety and reckless, and they might end up doing things they are ashamed of or guilty of. As a result, partners who are doing drugs have many secrets from their significant other.
6. Moodiness
Drug abuse can cause partners to become moody, frustrated, and irritated. As a result, they might lash out often. They would often scream and shout, and at times, they might get physical too. If they attempt to threaten, hit, or be emotionally abusive to you, they could be struggling with severe drug abuse. Additionally, when they are high, their behavior will be different. You might notice them talking too fast that it’ll be almost incomprehensible. In some cases, extreme forms of drug abuse could result in anxiety or depression and interfere with their work performance.
Final Thoughts
In short, watch out for all the symptoms mentioned above. First and foremost, it’s important not to begin the blame game as it causes more damage than good to your relationship. You should help your partner recognize the problem, and you mustn’t ignore the issue. Find a good consultant or detox training program that is financially suitable and offers remarkable services for your partner’s recovery journey.
You may want to avoid triggering or performing negative actions like lying or cheating as it can push them more toward drugs. Finally, you should remember that change happens over time and cannot occur within a few days. Be patient and supportive. Avoid expecting things to go back to normal in just a few weeks.
