|
Same story, different people - husband using meth
Lubie |
Same story, different
people :(
Hi,
My husband and I have a seven year history of me being naive and
him being sneaky and very creative in hiding his problem. Long
story short, two kids and a few years of mini-hell's later I
finally understand what is going on and the more I read the more
sense things make. I was so confused about why our relationship
was getting so bad, now I get it. I always knew there was
something going on, but I thought he was bipolar. We had many
conversations about it as a matter of fact. I finally somewhat
found out last year that him using meth might be a possibility.
I couldn't believe it at the time it was such a horrible thought
to me, so I completely dismissed that as his problem, although I
thought way in the back of my mind that I would be smart to keep
an eye out just in case. A few weeks ago I walked in the laundry
room and there was something blocking the door. I moved it out
of the way so that I could open the door all the way and there
was my husband trying to hide something from me. I asked him
what he was doing, still not understanding what I was seeing,
and he started babbling some weird gibberish that confused the
hell out of me. I was trying to look around him to see what he
was doing and he kept blocking my view. I finally saw something
covered up with a paper towel and instantly remembered the glass
pipes I had found the year before. I decided at that moment the
best thing to do was play stupid and walk out of the room, which
is what I did.
Since then I have gone through just about every emotion a person
can feel. Shock, broken heart, sadness, betrayal, anger, pity
you name it. I have told a few people that are close to me who I
trust because I am trying to decide what the best course of
action is to take on this and I'm trying to make sure beyond a
doubt that this is what he is doing. When I confronted him last
year after I found those pipes he was adamant that he wasn't
doing anything like that and insisted that those were from a
long time ago and he never got rid of them. I don't know much
about this drug, I'm from the East Coast and never knew anyone
who did this before I moved to Colorado.
Since a few weeks ago I have been reading everything I can to
make sure this is what he has been doing. He has some of the
signs but not all which I understand is possible because
everyone reacts differently and it depends on the amounts he's
doing.
Let me just say that I can tell immediately when he is altered,
it takes one glance in his direction and I can tell it was just
that in the past I didn't know it was because of a drug so it
would confuse me. Now that I know or am pretty sure anyway, I
write down every time I see that look on his face. I suspect he
must not be doing a huge quantity of it because he is able to
work every day. He forces himself to sleep although I can tell
that he's barely sleeping and he can hear everything when he
makes himself sleep. He also makes himself eat when he's doing
it, but he doesn't eat as much as when he's not doing it.
He has patterns of doing this and has had these patterns for as
long as I have known him and we've been together. He seems to
vary on the time depending on what's going on but now he is what
I call "jiggy" (messing around in the garage and doing his
laundry) for about two days and after that he sleeps from the
moment he gets home from work until he has to go back again for
about three days. Then he has a day or two of being a real pain,
like staying in our room all the time being gassy and
stinking...omg, nasty too and thinking he's the funniest person
in the world. These are the days when he gets mean, yells if
people wake him up and goes nuts if our girls are fighting or
anything like that and these are the days when he has a hard
time sleeping for any length of time, he can only do it in
spurts. Then it's back to the jiggy thing and the same pattern
over and over. Occasionally he doesn't do it for two weeks, but
mostly now it's once a week.
.Gets jiggy for at least two days.
.Sleeps all the time for at least three days.
.Builds weird crap in the garage.
.Fixes things around the house only when he's "jiggy".
.His eyes are dilated sometimes, but not every time.
.Gets very moody when he's crashing.
.Gassy...gawd yuck
.Heartburn after about three days of crashing.
.Picks at his skin, but not enough to leave marks.
.Never hangs out with anyone anymore, has no friends that I ever
see.
.Doesn't play the guitar anymore which he used to love to do,
was his favorite thing.
.He fells very hot sometimes, like he's on fire on the inside.
.I can feel his heart racing sometimes and even see it beat
through his chest when he lays down.
.Eats a ton of candy right after his crashes, anything sweet but
especially ropes, twizzlers and that kind of thing.
I know there's more but I can't think of anything else right
now. Amway, the reason I'm posting is that I have a friend of
mine who I told what I suspect about this and she was over the
other day when it was day 1 of jigginess. I said "Look at him,
he's high" and she called me yesterday and told me that he
didn't look high to her because his eyes weren't dilated. I know
he was high, I can always tell and she's right his eyes weren't
dilated but they aren't always. I'm not sure why and that
confuses me, but I know for sure that he was high on something.
For one thing, other than just knowing by his face was the fact
that he fixed our camper and he would never do that normally, he
would be in bed. His eyes were dilated the next day he was doing
it which was yesterday. So I know that the next thing that will
happen is that he will come home from work tonight and take a
shower and go straight to bed.
Oh, the other thing she said is that his face isn't broken out
and they always always have face break outs from the poisons and
toxins in the stuff, is this true? Because his face has never
been broken out...maybe just one or two zits once in a while
that's it. His teeth aren't rotted either, he actually takes
very good care of himself in the grooming department.
I hope I'm not rambling here, just trying to find out for sure
if this is what he's doing before I confront him because if my
suspicions are correct I cannot stay with him unless he gets
help, I have children to think of and take care of.
Thanks for reading. |
Replies... |
TnSkye |
Re: Same story, different people :(
My
husband's eyes hardly ever dilated. His skin did not break out.
His teeth were rotting, but not that other people can see. He
ate and maintained his weight most of the time.
In fact, had you stood the two of us together and were asked
which was the tweaker, you'd have picked me.
After I found out just how bad my hubby was and was remembering
how long he'd been an addict, he tried harder to hide it.
He would use small amounts during the day, just to make it
through the day of work. He would come home and eat a little
bit, then crash.
He would wake up sometime during the night and leave. He was
never there when we woke up in the mornings. He wasn't living
with us at the time, just crashed there every night.
I had left my husband in the mid 90's because of his drug use.
This last time, I didn't want to take the easy way out, so I set
out to learn about this drug and addiction.
I'm glad I did. This time when I decided to leave, I was
completely informed and knew full well what I faced either way.
My advice to you is to keep learning. Knowledge is power. |
Lubie |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Thank
you so much for your reply. I just edited mine because I
remembered a few more things. I'm pretty sure this is what he's
been doing, there are too many similarities and I can't find
anything else that has most of the signs that he has other than
meth.
After I walked in on him in the laundry room he started to
change again. He was getting very moody and accusatory towards
me before that. We had started fighting a lot in the last year
and every time I would ask him why he thought we were all of a
sudden fighting in this way he would say if I weren't such a
@#%$ we wouldn't have a problem. This was funny to me since a
few years ago he used to tell me all the time that he loved my
personality so much because I wasn't a nagger. Since I caught
him he's been overly nice to me. He's been going out of his way
to make sure that I don't get mad at him and to make me happy. I
guess he thinks this will make me less suspicious but he's way
wrong on that one.
Anyway, thank you so much for sharing part of your experience
with me. It helps to know that I'm not going crazy. I sometimes
feel, especially when other people don't seem to see the effects
on my husband, that I may be over exaggerating or thinking there
are things there when they are not.
I'm quite nervous about confronting him full on since he tries
so hard to cover it up. Makes me nervous how he'll react. He's
not a violent person normally, but then again I guess I don't
really know him as normal like I thought I did.
Thanks again, I really appreciate your input. |
Time4
Change |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Lubie
you just described my husband to a T. The only difference and
tell tale sign for me is that his face does break out and welt
and he does pick sores on occasion. Other then that I've never
noticed dilated eyes. I have a hard time telling if he's high or
not.
You've obviously caught him and know what he's doing. The best
advice I can give you is to quit looking for signs and second
guessing yourself. You'll drive yourself crazy.
Learn all you can and have plan in place before you confront
him. You threatening to leave with the kids most likely isn't
going to get you the results you want. An addict will do
anything to hide the addiction and keep his safe net... you.
When backed into a corner and told to give up the addiction they
can get really nasty and some get abusive and mean.
Yea you think they'd never hurt you or the kids but then again
you didn't think he'd do meth either. Learn, have a plan and be
prepared for the worst is the best advice I can give you... Oh
yea and don't drive yourself crazy looking for proof that your
right to use to persuade him to get help. Nothing you say or do
will get him to get help... he'll decide when he's ready. Do
what's best for you and the children.
Welcome... sorry your here but rest assured you've found the
best place for support, knowledge and help. |
TnSkye |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Sounds a
lot like meth to me. My husband has used every drug under the
sun and NOTHING makes him act like meth does.
And, yes, you can literally see their hearts beating at times. |
Lubie |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Hi Time,
I know that you're right, it is driving me crazy second guessing
myself all the time. It's even harder when the people around me
question me because that shakes my resolve. I know in my heart
this is what he's doing, it's so hard to face that my life and
my children's lives are going to change so drastically in such a
short amount of time. Everything I have known with him is a lie
and the future I thought we had is suddenly gone. It's
devastating. This is the man I thought I would spend the rest of
my life with, it's hard to handle.
But, he picked the wrong person to hide behind because I will
not live my life protecting a drug addict. I especially have to
think of my children and what is best for them. I am a very
independent, strong willed person and I thought he knew that,
and I know he knows how I feel about addiction. This has shaken
me somewhat, but I know that I can take care of myself and my
kids without him and I know that I can move on. I am not a
doormat and I am not insecurely thinking that I need him in any
way.
I have been working on a plan and saving money since I found him
in the laundry room. I felt a strong urgency to do that and
after reading your reply I'm very glad that I felt that way.
Confronting him scares me because of how much he tries to hide
this, it makes me think that he might be desperate enough to do
anything to continue his addiction. I am trying to determine the
best way to confront him on this and at what time. I know it
will have to be soon, but I need a few more weeks before I will
be ready to leave, three...four at the most. Any suggestions or
ideas on that would be great.
Thanks again |
TnSkye |
Re: Same story, different people :(
When you
confront a meth addict, you can expect:
Him to deny and turn it around to look like YOU have the
problem. You may even believe it when he's finished.
Him to admit it and make promises that will be forgotten in the
next hour. They know how to turn our hearts to mush over and
over again.
Depending on where he is in his cycle, he could become violent.
Knowing what you are dealing with is very important. No matter
how well you knew your husband, you can't always predict what
the addict in him will do. |
Time4
Change |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Yes my
husband did the overly nice to me... anything and everything to
keep me off guard.
I too felt like I was overreacting and blowing things out of
proportion. That mind set kept me on the horrible emotional
roller coaster for years. The manipulation... blame and guilt
that he threw at me kept me down for far too long. I lost a lot
of my self-esteem.
Lubie... it's not you.. has nothing to do with you. You're not a
bitch and you haven't done anything wrong. Don't second guess
yourself or what you gut is telling you.
He's doing drugs... you caught him in the laundry room.
Learn and make some decision based on what is best for you and
your children. Don't make any decisions based on wanting or
needing a reaction or change in him. Catching him and proving to
him that you know what he's doing won't change him.
He's an addict. If he wasn't he wouldn't hide in the laundry
room with something in front of the door. |
Lubie |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Hi Tn,
Thanks for the information, I get so nervous about what's going
to happen.
I'm trying to determine which cycle has made him the most
irritated in the past. Normally I think it's been just after
crashing, but he changes all the time so it's hard to say.
He goes ballistic when I tell anyone what he's done. For a few
months he had been calling me some nasty names and when he heard
me telling one of my friends what he was doing he went nuts. I
couldn't believe how crazy he got and you don't even want to
know what he called me, I never heard anything so vile or
disgusting in my life. I had already told him last year that I
was an inch away from leaving him because of his complete
disrespect towards me in the last year. So since the laundry
room thing he's been trying to change that too. Getting off
track here, my point was that you're right I don't know how
he'll react to anything and he's already showed me that in the
last few months.
Maybe I'd be better off doing it after I leave with the kids. I
don't know how that would work though, I'm thinking I'm going to
have to tell him before I go. I know one thing for sure, I can't
let him think I've told anyone else or he'll have a freakin' fit
and if it's anything like that last one it won't be a good
thing. |
loveman
hate
meth1 |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Eyes only dilate when they are in a
"overdose" state. When they become "chronic" users they don't
dilate as often.
The day you stop second guessing yourself is the day you set
yourself free from the blame and guilt that he will inevitably
try to pile on you. You will be able to move forward.
Your husband sounds like an addict to me. The only thing you
left out was any sexual things that happen with meth addicts.
It is a progressive disease and will escalate in time, most
likely.
I'm sorry for you. I'm going through the same thing. I'm
probably further along in than you because my addict can no
longer live with me and my children.
Don't listen when people say they don't look like they are high.
No one will know like YOU. YOU know! |
loveman
hate
meth1 |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Also......a meth addicts teeth start to rot at the gum line.
Have you looked closely there? They can hide rotting teeth for a
while. Sorry
|
Lubie |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Hi Love,
Oh yes, he's got some weird sexual things going on. I feel it as
a detachment from him, like he treats sex as an experiment and
kind of detaches himself and analyzes it...does that make sense?
It's hard to explain, but very strange. |
Lubie |
Re: Same story, different people :(
I'm going to have to look closer at his teeth
when he gets home. I haven't noticed anything like that, but
it's possible that I haven't looked close enough. The other
thing I've noticed is that he hardly ever looks me in the eye.
The only time he does is when he's high, which I think is weird
because I would think it would be the opposite. When he's not
high he won't look at me, I have to hold his face to make him
look me in the eye. Weird. |
Meth
Phobia |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Lubie,
welcome and I wish this didn't happen to you.
But unfortunately meth is just such a monster and destroys lives
all over the world. The steps you have taken so far - coming
here, educating yourself, putting yourself and your kids first
etc etc all seem to be in the right direction.
I'm quite sure your hubby is on meth....from what you described
I went through 99% of that last year. I too was wondering what
happened to my marriage and thought it was work stress or the
fact that he could be bipolar that was causing all our problems.
Until things blew way out of proportion and I discovered that
meth was the culprit.
Meth addiction is a progressive disease and if he doesn't quit,
things between the 2 of you will just get from bad to
worse...and I don't want to sugar coat things here but it could
even lead to death.
However, don't let YOU be responsible for his addiction...this
is HIS problem and he has to work on it. All you can do is
support him emotionally if he shows the resolve the quit.
Recovery is possible but it has to come from him...there is
nothing you can say or do to force him there.
I practiced 'tough love' and thankfully, with the help of the
people here and God, my husband (recovering freak) is now into
Day 80 of recovery. We are still fighting this battle day by
day...sometimes even hour by hour...
It is trying for him and in the process it becomes trying for me
and the kids as well...
Stay strong and take good care of yourself...you will need all
the strength and resolve to deal with what lies ahead.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers... |
Lubie |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Thank you for your post. You're right apparently this stuff is
worse than an epidemic. It seems that almost anyone I've talked
to about it around here knows someone personally who is or has
been addicted to it.
I know he has to get the help when he's ready, but since he
tries so hard to cover it up I'm thinking he must not be ready.
I have a hard time believing that's the road he will choose at
this time, I hope that I am wrong but will definitely not hold
my breath on that one.
Congratulations to your husband for quitting! I hope that things
work out for you both and that he is successful in his recovery.
It makes me tired to think of what lies ahead. I can only think
of one day at a time most of the time lately. Right now my focus
has been to work as much as possible and save as much money as I
can as quickly as I can.
Thank you again for sharing and being so kind. Good luck with
everything!
Hugs, Lubie |
Loraura |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Hi Lubie,
I've written some mini-articles on how meth effects the brain,
as well as other meth related topics. You can find them here..
There are links at the bottom of that article to other things
I've written up that might be helpful while you learn about meth
addiction and what your husband goes thru as a user. |
Time4
Change |
Re: Same story, different people :(
It's a
good idea to check into your legal options. The differences and
options your state has as far as legal separation, divorce and
child custody. I felt it was important to secure my children.
My husband had hidden major debt from me that I could have been
responsible for... even though it wasn't in my name it was still
considered marital debt.
My husband reacted much like yours... he freaked on what I was
telling to whom. My reason for online support. Going to meetings
for me in a small community would set him off cuz it would
exposed him for the addict he is.
You may be strong and independent... but it will hurt like he||
and be really tough some days. Lean on anyone and eveyone you
can count on. You have to go through all the emotions to get to
the other side. It just take time. You can't be strong all the
time. Give your self time to feel and heal.
I hope he finds recovery for himself, you and your children. No
one deserves to be addicted to this crap! |
Lubie |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Yes, you're right it hurts beyond description
every time I think about everything that he's throwing away and
how much I love him. I trusted him. I married him and had kids
with him, hurting cannot even touch how I feel about all this. I
have to remind myself all the time that it's not him I'm looking
at anymore, it's so hard to believe because I do see him there
sometimes. I'm sure you know what I mean.
I hope he finds recovery too and it's very difficult for me to
not be able to help him. He was always such a great guy...funny,
helpful, humanitarian, always the first to jump in and help
someone. It's such a waste. He's now an egomaniac who thinks no
one else can do anything as well as he can.
I'm very happy that I am strong and independent, I can see how
easy it would be to get sucked into his game and how much harder
it would be for me to leave if I weren't. That's why I'm
surprised that he chose to be with someone like me, I would
think he would look for someone who would stay with him and help
him cover up his problem. I have a lot of people around me that
will help me, especially at my church. A few of them are
psychologists and drug counselors and they're wonderfully
supportive. I think my close friends have a harder time with it
because I've been so emotional and they're not sure how to deal
with that from me.
Thank you for your advice, it is very sound and I appreciate it. |
loveman
hate
meth1 |
Re: Same story, different people :(
My addict became extremely selfish with sex.
I almost think he preferred to masturbate at times rather than
have to take care of me. He tried things he said he would never
try. It was all about him and his satisfaction.
Also, about his not looking you in the eyes...My addict told me
that when he is high he obsesses about whether or not people can
tell he is high. Everyone he sees he thinks this. That might
keep him from looking you in the eye.
I also know how exhausting his addiction can be for you. I think
my BFs addiction has aged ME terribly. too much stress. Take
care of yourself...its the most important thing you can do. |
Tender
Heart77 |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Welcome Lubie! You have come to the right
place for support. Many many wonderful people here.
In short my dad is a meth addict and the man I live with and
love is also a addict.
Sounds like to me he has all the signs. Your friend is wrong
when she said there face always breaks out. Not mine. He never
breaks out or picks. His complexion is better than mine. Very
good looking man...Although I see picture over the last few
years and he has aged. His teeth from initial appearance are
good. But have him open up wide and you will see in the back his
teeth are getting bad. Just not made it to the front yet... Mine
has held down a job so far. Works, eats and sleeps majority of
the time. But is very very much addicted. He has the mood
swings. He is mean one minute and loves you the next, sleep
pattern much like yours. The eye what I notice more not the
dilation is when he looks at me it is like he is looking thru me
not at me. His eyes look dark and hollow. Don't know if that
make sense. But they sparkle when he is not using and the color
comes back not all dark and gloomy...
The sex thing. Well that is just it sex.. No emotions. Just sex
and very selfish at that. He loves porn. Just really no
connection anymore.
Oh in the beginning he would lie about his using. Now well after
tons and tons of fight and eventually learning how to
communicate and when to talk to him. He admits it and does not
lie about it majority of the time. All I have to do is ask even
when I know and he will usually tell me. He admits to having a
problem but not willing to get help with it. Not yet. Now it
took us two years to get to the point of actually talking and
not yelling and screaming at each other..
Everyone is right he will progress. Mine has. Getting worse day
by day. You sound like a very strong willed person with
confidence. Not like me. Which is good you will need that
attitude. I have to find that strength don't left him take that
from you and stripe you of it. I have allowed it and now it is
harder to get back out of that hole. Take care and stay here it
helps. Again welcome we are all here for you....T |
Lubie |
Re: Same story, different people :(
Omg, T that's terrible! I'm so sorry to hear
this, your dad and BF? I should feel grateful for only having
one, if a person can feel that for anything related to this
issue.
Do you think that's why he's with someone like me? To get my
strength? It's possible. I think maybe he secretly wanted to get
caught because he knew what my reaction would be, but maybe
since it took me so long to figure out what he's been doing it
could be too late for that. I do feel pretty stupid that it took
this long, but will not allow myself to be here for one minute
longer than I have to. I can't believe how hard this is though,
it's the hardest thing I have ever had to face so far. I'm sorry
for you and everyone else here who has had to deal with this,
it's so extremely difficult. Kind of like when you hear people
say I never thought it could happen to me type of thing, it's
pretty shocking to me.
It sounds like it's hard for you to deal with, I'm very happy
you found this place for support! Thanks for the post, you are
all helping me more than you know. It helps to know that I'm not
alone and gives me much more resolve in knowing that the
decisions I have to make are not for nothing and not made in
haste.
Thank you all very much! |
See also:
Do people use crystal meth at the same time everyday?
Trusting Crystal Meth Users
Back to Crystal Meth & Methamphetamine Questions, Answers & Advice
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