If your husband or wife is acting strange and you are not sure why, it could be an addiction. Stress at work, depression, chronic pain, and anxiety can all cause someone that you love to turn to drugs or alcohol. When they turn to substances to relieve these feelings, they often wind up with a nasty addiction. It is important to remember that you do not have to put up with addiction, but if you truly love the person you should try to help them.

Look for the Signs

It is important to make sure that your husband or wife is acting strangely because of their addiction to drugs. People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol show certain signs of that addiction. A few of these signs might be:

• Suspicious or secretive behavior.
• Unusual phone calls or absences from home, work, or family gatherings.
• Unusual trips to the bathroom.
• Unexplained illnesses.
• Acting abnormally or out of character for them.
• Missing things from your home.
• You see them taking more than the needed amount of medication.
• Unexplained financial difficulties.

Talk to them About It

The first step is to talk to them about it. If you suspect they are using drugs, sit down with them and talk. Make sure your environment is calm and secure for both of you when you do it. It is also a good idea to talk to them when they are sober rather than when they are on the substance.

Sometimes there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for their behavior and other times it is in fact drug use that is causing it. By talking to them about it, you can show that you care and that you want them to seek treatment. It is important to not be judgmental or confrontational during this talk.

Talk to Someone who Can Help

Finding someone who can help you is also extremely important. When you are dealing with an addict, you will need support yourself. Find out about the addiction, what it causes, and how to help by talking to a professional.

There are addiction specialists and other professionals that can help guide you. They can show you how to help a person seek treatment and what to do if they refuse. You need to understand that not every drug addict will want treatment and many vehemently deny that they have a problem. Unfortunately in this situation there is not much you can do except for referring them to a professional or speaking to their doctor.

Find Help for Them

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are many treatment options available for those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Most of these treatments are now covered by insurance and are easily found. All you have to do is call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) . We can help you find the treatment that your husband or wife needs and answer any questions you might have about treatment for a specific addiction.