5 Signs Your Spouse Should Go to Rehab

Content medically reviewed by Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC, on March 1, 2021.

You're probably the person who knows your spouse best. If you are worried your partner may be struggling with substance abuse, it's important to help them seek treatment before the problem gets out of hand.

It's not always easy to identify substance abuse, but any of these five signs may indicate a problem.

1. They Hide Their Drug or Alcohol Use

If your spouse's substance use is significant, they may try to hide it from you. You may find empty alcohol bottles, unmarked pill containers or other paraphernalia stashed around the house. Your partner may also use substances outside your home and then lie about it.

This deception could indicate that they are aware their substance use is a problem, and they may be open to treatment.

2. They've Been Acting Unusual Lately

If you find that your partner is acting out of character, it may indicate a substance abuse issue. Your reliable, hard-working spouse may disappear with no explanation, lose their job or shirk other responsibilities.

Substance abuse is all-consuming. Responsibilities aside, your spouse may also seem to lose interest in things that used to be personally important to them, like hobbies and friends.

3. They're Spending a Lot of Money

Over time, people with substance abuse problems develop higher tolerance levels and require more drugs or alcohol to achieve the same effects. They buy more and more substances to chasing the feelings they once had.

Keep an eye on shared bank accounts and budgets. If you notice that your spouse is borrowing money, stealing or lying about where money has gone, they may have a problem.

4. They Have Physical Signs of Addiction

People who are struggling with addiction often show physical signs of their use, including:

 

  • Unusual lethargy or crashes.
  • Excessive, unexplained energy.
  • Twitches, tremors or itching.
  • Changes in skin like a flushed appearance, burns, sores and scars.
  • Significant weight loss.
  • Pupil dilation.
  • Nosebleeds and coughs.
  • Intense mood changes or paranoia.

Combined with other concerns, these symptoms can be significant indications of physical dependency.

 

5. They're Developing Health Problems

Continued substance abuse is hard on a person's body and can lead to many health issues. Drugs and alcohol can take a toll on the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. Substantial weight loss or hygienic issues related to drug use can also cause significant declines in health.

These problems will only get worse with continued use. If you find that your spouse is experiencing substance-related health issues, encourage them to seek help immediately.

Get Your Spouse the Help They Need

Any one of these signs could indicate that your partner is struggling with substance abuse or addiction. The sooner you can get them to seek treatment at a rehab facility, the sooner they can begin to reclaim their life.

At Diamond House Detox, we can help your spouse through every phase of their recovery. We provide a warm, caring environment with 24/7 attention from drug and alcohol counselors, mental health professionals and licensed medical staff. We'll support you and your spouse as they work toward recovery.

Get your loved one the help they need. Contact us today for more information.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Diamond House Detox
Vicky is a board certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She began her nursing career in healthcare by working in the intensive care unit, and then an inpatient psychiatric hospital. After realizing the mental health needs of both the patients and the families she served, she became a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her experience working with clients, she has developed a passion for those with dual diagnoses and specializes in helping individuals recognize the issues driving their substance use. This recognition has been crucial to the individual’s success in treatment. Vicky opened Diamond House Detox so that she can address these issues early on in a therapeutic environment to allow clients to transition to the next level in their recovery.
Vicky Magobet