Signs Your Spouse May Have Relapsed

Your spouse has been battling addiction for a while now, but he finally decided to get help. They’ve completed their addiction program and you’re ready for life to get back to usual. Though many believe that addicts are miraculously healed after leaving rehab, recovery is really a lifelong process in which rehab provides the foundation and tools to withstand. The chance of relapse is possible, and it’s important that you’re informed.

Generally speaking, approximately 50-90% of all addicts will relapse. While some will revert right back to the tools they’ve learned in mens rehab to get back on the path to sobriety, others will need additional assistance that might include a longer term in the rehab program or other medical assistance.

Knowing the signs and being able to get your husband the help that he needs will ultimately improve his chances of getting back on the straight and arrow before addiction takes over his life.

The indications of relapse can vary by the person and the type of addiction they had. That’s why it is very important for those supporting a recovering addict to be observant. You’ll need to watch for any changes in his behavior that would symbolize that he backslid. Below are a few signs that your husband may have slipped off the wagon and fallen back into his addictive ways:

·  They stopped seeking treatment – even after leaving a rehab facility your loved one needs to continue to get help for his addiction. This includes going to counseling, 12 step programs, and support groups. If you’ve noticed they’ve stopped taking initiative in their recovery, this is one of the first signs they’ve fallen back into old habits.

·  Their mood changes – much like the signs of addiction, a person who has relapsed will become very moody at times. If you notice drastic behavioral changes, be on the lookout for other signs listed below.

·  They start hanging with old friends – It is important that your husband change his inner circle until he is mentally and physically capable of being around those who might abuse drugs or alcohol and not feel the urge to backslide. If you notice he’s been hanging around with the “old boys club” again, this is something you need to address.

·  They become defensive – If you talk to your spouse about their changed behaviors or lack of progress in their recovery, and they give you a lot of defensive responses (or flat out deny an issue), then chances are they’re up to no good and need assistance getting back on track.

·  They Are Suddenly Isolated – As you’ve probably encountered during his initial addiction your husband has likely begun to pull away from things that he once found interesting. If you notice that he’s isolated more, it is important to let him know you’re there and get him help.

·  They Just Stop Caring – Has your husband stopped doing the bare necessities to take care of himself? Maybe he’s stopped being active, exercising, or eating right, or he’s not getting enough sleep. His physical and mental health are equally important to combatting addiction so if you notice signs that he’s stopped caring about himself, this is certainly a cry for help.

So you’ve noticed a few of these signs in your spouse and you want to address the matter…but how? There are plenty of ways to approach this, but remember it is a sensitive subject matter and so you need to come from a place of love and support. Talk with your husband about how proud you were that he took the steps to make a change and the things you’ve noticed since he’s left recovery. You can also consider reaching out to the rehab facility he participated in as many of them have relapse prevention programs to better assist.

While relapse during recovery can be scary, it is also fairly common. Addiction is a multifaceted illness that requires years and years of continued attempts for healing. If you notice that your spouse is struggling with recovery, the best thing you can do is talk to them, get help, and prepare to build a strong support system around him so that he can gain the confidence to kick addiction in the butt.