My husband is addicted to Lortab...PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND!

M

Mia B

New member
My husband is addicted to lortab and has tried to get off them several times. The withdrawal seems worse everytime he tries. Currently he has 10 left (was taking 15 or more a day) and is trying to quit again.
I am a health professional so I understand the physical dynamics of withdrawal, but have never had to deal with the emotional side personally until now. I want to be supportive and help him with this, but the extreme irritability, depression, mood swings and just general sickness is taking a serious toll on our whole family. He wont go to rehab, says he can cut back to 2 or 3 a day (for chronic headaches), but I know its not that simple. We are in a financial mess because of his addiction, he doesn't work right now so I'm left to work and take care of our kids and house all by myself. His addiction is all he is focused on. Yes, I'm starting to resent it.
How do I support him through this when he has this irrational behavior and doesnt realize how much this is a problem?
I don't know what to do, I try to be understanding but part of me wants to give up because I don't see him giving them up. When I try to talk to him he gets defensive and says that it makes him want them more and blames me for his previous failed attempts.
I have searched the web and there are tons of sites for helping the addict, but what about the addicts family who are suffering right along with them, only in different ways! If anyone has experienced this, please help! I'm at the end of my rope!
 
j had a problem with pain medication and i went to a pain clinic for two weeks and didnt take them with me. if your on medication for pain for too long it can actually make your headaches worse' he should try massage therapy i found works really well on headaches and to find some books on relaxing musles and dealing with stress' i have a chronic neck injury and had to live with headaches for 8 years. i mainly take ibropophen now and i still try to limit the amount i take only when i really cant take it anymore. hottubs are good too. sincerely jackie
 
Hi - I just want to let you know there is an addiction and recovery board here. You should prob re post this over there. I have found everyone to be very supportive and friendly.
 
superexhausted

I know that you do not want to hear this but I also have a husband who is addicted to alcohol and when he is drunk, life in my house was pretty miserable. The addiction to medication is his problem, not your or your children's.

Your husband is giving you every excuse, however, he has not come to the correct decision that he can not do this on his own and he does need professional help.

When he starts to blame you for his failures than he is making the problem yours and wants you to find the solution.

I had to make the painful decision New Years Eve last year to take my daughter and leave our home. I was hoping that by leaving the home, I would take the "you make me do this, you are the reason I can not stop drinking alcohol. ."

I just file for divorce a couple of weeks ago because I am not the problem and he has not figured out how to solve "his" problem.

I still love my husband, however, my daughter was suffering the effects of the disfunctional household. She was flunking out at school and was beginning to suffer some physical issues. She is now smiling and finished school on the honor roll.

I know this is a tough issue and the last thing you want to do is abandoned him, however, you must think of yourself and your children. You did not create the problem and he obviously does not understand that you are trying to help and support him, however, you must begin to help yourself and your children.

I was told that when the problem has been brought under control, you can always go back.

Let me know how you are doing, I really do feel your pain and I am here to support you.

Brenda
 
i would have to ditto what kdel mentioned up there regarding the addiction board we have here(many people all in various phases of active or tapering or totally clean now and actually helping others there). just a very supportive forum. you would be amazed at how many people there are IN this very same place with hydro based meds alone, among other meds. i too had my own issues with ONLY THAT particular med. it does kind of suck you in and before you even realize where you are, you ARE addicted and not merely dependant anynmore. there are also many many different types/groups of meds now used to help with even the worst ofthe worst types of headpain that contain NO narcotics or the usual barbs that come in things like fioricet either?

has he ever been fully and deeply evaluated for the 'whys' about the head pain even being there at all kinda thing(any MRIs to see if 'something' just IS there and triggering the pain?)? seeing a good neurologist is usually the best type of specialist for any levels of ongoing headpain, seriously. i certainly DO really hope for your whole families sake that he will agree to go into some type of real treatment facility either inpatient or out patient to really just get the BEST type of help here with this, esp with ANY hydro based med being involved here? one dam sneaky med, let me tell ya. but outpatient worked for me along with a TON of ongoing NA meetings too? i do wish you all the luck in the world here hon. FB
 
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