How to Help My Husband in Recovery
By: Lakeview Health Staff
Published: October 1, 2020

“I need help. I need to learn how to help my husband in recovery and to get help. Where do I start?” This is a common statement. You feel overwhelmed and concerned about your husband. You are unsure what to do to get him the necessary help and to support him through recovery. What should you do? At Lakeview Health, we will provide you with the guidance and support you need to help your husband.

If you or your spouse is battling a substance use disorder and might benefit from a premier addiction treatment center in Florida, don’t hesitate to get them the help they need. One way to do this is to reach out to Lakeview Health today using our convenient online form. Our compassionate, expert team of addiction specialists is waiting to give them the tools they need to achieve genuine, long-term recovery.

Where to Start: Getting Treatment in Place

If your husband is using drugs and alcohol, he may no longer seem like the person you used to know. You may not be able to depend on him, talk to him, or understand his actions. When a person close to you starts using drugs — whether they are illegal or not — you may even take it personally. However, it may also be up to you to help your husband to get into treatment.

Some key signs that they may need help include:

  • Using more drugs than they used to
  • Hiding drug and alcohol use
  • Battling mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD and using substances to self-medicate
  • Being unable or unwilling to maintain obligations at home or work
  • Becoming increasingly isolated
  • Being unable to stop using without cravings

When your husband or other loved one is facing addiction like this, reach out to the addiction treatment center at Lakeview Health for immediate help. Our team can provide you with the tools and guidance you need to help them get into treatment. We offer a range of program options, including solutions to help your spouse to start on the path of recovery. Among the programs we offer are:

Encourage your husband to get help. Once he is getting help, you can then work to support him. Learning how to help your husband in recovery can be a critical step in his healing and healing your family unit.

How to Keep Supporting: Help Your Husband in Recovery

Once your husband works through detox and treatment, he will begin the difficult work of rebuilding his life. At this point, he will need your help more than ever. There are many things you can do to support him during this period.

Listen to Him

Perhaps the most important thing you can do is allow your husband to open up and talk about what he is experiencing and the challenges he is facing. You may not understand what addiction feels like, but you can be someone that is there for him to talk to about it.

Encourage Him

While recovery means a challenging road ahead, most people benefit from having someone in their corner cheering them on. Do not expect him to be “normal” instantly or to be always positive. Yet, you can be there to support him as he works towards improving his life.

Recognize and Celebrate the Changes

It is also essential for you to recognize that your husband has gone through a life-changing event. He may never be the same person that he was before all of this started. Recognize this so that it does not interfere with your own needs, and as he works his way through recovery, celebrate the new changes that freeing himself from drugs and alcohol has brought with it.

Know When He Needs Help

As a spouse, you can be there to support your husband, but you also have to be ready to get him help if he needs it again. This may include reaching out for immediate support if he starts using. Play an active role in providing the information and support he needs when things get difficult so he does not relapse.

Find the Support You Need at Lakeview Health

It is very common for people to seek help for their spouses. At Lakeview Health, we can provide you with the insight and support to make that possible. Reach out to our counselors today.