KCI The Anti_Meth Site

Husband is injecting meth; can he quit? Will he relapse?

not happy with you	Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? Since I just recently found out that my spouse is injecting meth I feel like I am in a whole new ball game. In your opinion do you think that a person can quit using if they attend NA meetings regularly and maybe some sort of outpatient rehab? Or are their chances of relapse more likely? How can I tell if he has relapsed? Judging from his behavior I still have a very hard time figuring out whether he is high or coming down. Actually I have no idea when he uses except for when he gets real grumpy and mean. But is this when he is coming down? Wouldn't he be happy if he was high?
Replies...
Sfj	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? Yes. People can quit using a variety of support mechanisms. The more support, the better the chances of recovery. There are no guarantees, but there are some steps, traditions, promises, facts, statistics, and love for those who seek it. Thinking About Quitting The more involved that one is in recovery, the better the chances of success.
Oban 14year	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? In my experience with my GF, she was the grumpiest when she was trying to quit. It was like this: When using: Overall pretty fun, energetic, intense, hyper, would snap and make loud obnoxious statements now and then, and would often get angry about unreasonable things. When quitting: Depressed all the time, tired all the time, would be very negatice, would be uber pissy about anything and everything. After being quit for 3 to 4 weeks: Would mellow out, returned to being a bit fun, still tired, much less reactionary, bitched about weight a lot. Haven't made it past week 6 without a relapse yet, so that's where my experience ends. :/
sick and tired7	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? *Quote:* In your opinion do you think that a person can quit using if they attend NA meetings regulary and maybe some sort of outpatient rehab? Yes, but they can/will only quit using when THEY are ready. *Quote:* Or are their chances of relapse more likely? The chance of relapse is always there, no matter what. I'm not a person who believes that long-term inpatient rehab is ALWAYS necessary. It differs from person to person. *Quote:* How can I tell if he has relapsed? You'll just know-- REALLY. *Quote:* Actually I have no idea when he uses except for when he gets real grumpy and mean. But is this when he is coming down? Yes. *Quote:* Wouldn't he be happy if he was high? Most likely, yes.
Sfj	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. That doesn’t seem too encouraging does it? But take heart, the good times will return – eventually. Family members who think that as soon as an addict quits using must realize this. It will get worse, not better, for quite awhile. The only thing that will get better right away is the consistency of the problems. The problems will be there all day everyday and they will be severe, all day every day. When your addict was using, there were alternating periods of good and bad, up and down, energy and lethargy. But in recovery you won’t have to deal with the inconsistencies – it will be bad all the time. Constant chronic use of methamphetamine causes a biological change, a basic molecular change in the addict’s central nervous system and brain such that it requires meth to be anywhere normal. The brain becomes absolutely dependent on the stimulation that meth provides in order to function. When withdrawal occurs, serious problems are guaranteed to follow for a considerable amount of time. Some people are concerned about things getting better instantly. In recovery, that is virtually impossible. Quitting using is barely the beginning. Just because someone quits, doesn't mean things are suddenly going to improve. Often it is just the opposite. Stopping meth often results in: 1. Being Excessively Tired 2. Big Time Depressed 3. Overwhelmingly Lonely 4. Becoming Fat 5. Total Lack of Ambition and Motivation 6. No Sex Drive 7. Severe Feelings of Despair 8. Possible Suicidal Thoughts 9. Panic and Anxiety Attacks 10. Nightmares About Drugs and Drug Situations 11. Bizarre Sleep Patterns 12. Many more problems too numerous to mention. Now you wonder why it is so difficult to quit? Meth users avoid all those and so the irony exists in wondering why things don't get better right away. Nevertheless, in time, things DO improve, but it takes much more time than people usually realize. My sponsor said to me, “Do you know why recovery is so difficult?” “Why?” I said. Because if it was easy, we’d be going back out all the time thinking, I can go through withdrawal and recovery anytime I want. It’s easy.” NOT.
not happy with you	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? My addict thinks that I should just get over everything that happened in the past and start over fresh. I don't think he realizes how much hurt, anger, disbelief and a million other emotions he has caused me and our family. I just can't seem to let go and move forward.
Crystal Clear	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? alot of the same stuff I went through. It will take awhile for you to get your stregnth back. You have been through alot, and it's not uncommon for the addict to not realize the hurt and pain that was caused. Especially in the very beginning. Perhaps you could try CODA meetings, I know they helped me alot in the very beginning. Still do. Hang out here, ask the questions, vent if you have to...We've all been there at one time, place or another. We could use another friend too!
choose freedom	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? I went to Narcotics Anonymous meetings and it was there that I learned how to stay clean, stayed clean, and found a new way of life. It works if you work it- and it sucks if you don't.
md fazalea	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? I agree with SFJ .......the more you are involved with recovery..........the better chances you have. Personally, I quit with the help of my boyfriend and NA. The boyfriend is now my ex but will always be a part of my recovery.
karma 123	Re: Husband addicted to meth, question on quitting and recovery? well from my experience, even when i was high, i wasnt happy, meth just didnt do it for me in the end, i was in even more pain when high as i realised even the drugs didnt work (by work i mean take the pain away inside me) and that shattered me.... i was always anxious, abrupt... just flatout pain in the bum to be around, using or coming down! cause i just wanted to find a better high.... and it wasnt going to happen... until i found recovery.