Is my husband addicted?

[BSOUTHERN]

My husband has been prescribed lortab for several years for backpain. I have always been afraid of him getting addicted so I have cautioned him about the lortab. He says he only takes them when he has to. I found a large bottle of them in his car and said nothing. Later I asked him if he had any and he said no. After several weeks I found the same bottle and it was less than half full. I don't know if he is taking enough of them to be addicted. He doesn't go to the doctor very often, a few times a year. I have noticed a change in his mood, he is more hostile. Thank you to anyone who responds.

[10356]

Using the bottle over again? check the date filled and do the math how many he is suppose to take and how many are left in the bottle and weekend binging is not uncommon but it dose have a tendency to spill over into the week. That is about the way I started I wish you and Hubby the best.

[CATUF]

I didn't know it at the time, but I was in BIG trouble with addiction long before I was "addicted."  Addiction has much more to do with what's going on in my head than what's go into my body.

I may have been only taking a few, and only once in a while, but when I started keeping a stash and lying about it I had turned a huge corner without even knowing it.  Lying about and hiding the drug of choice is a hallmark of active addiction.  Assuming a normally honest person, lying about using is a very big deal.  

Once I turned the corner into addictive behavior, the use and the frequency increased by themselves.  Having learned to lie and rationalize about anything having anything to do with my using, I kept lying . . . almost into the grave.  


CATUF
1037

[Rose703]

Good point poetrygirl!! Why would he lie about anything unless he does in fact have something to hide? I still say get another look at that bottle if you can.

[poetrygirl1960]

Check the refills, when they started and how many he has left.  Look at his eyes and see if he has the pinpoint pupils.  This is a situation that could go either way and I wouldn't make any rash judgements right off the bat, especially if he has that many left after 3 weeks.  If they were mine, they would be sooo gone!  But what would worry me more is that he lied about having any.  That in itself is reason to ponder addiction, I think.

[Rose703]

There's a big difference between dependence and addiction. Did you happen to notice if the bottle showed the correct doctor's name on it? By that I mean does it have the doctor's name on it that you know he see's a few time per year? How many refills did it show on it?
If he's seeing more than one doctor getting the same meds, then he has a problem. If you can get a peek at that bottle again it might hold all of the answers for you.

[road2recovery]

I agree with danners...Sit him down and just tell him to be honest...I hope it all works out for you...
Those are some signs for sure, behavior, is a big one, pinpoint pupils is a hugh sign,....
i also did what mimi said, i used the same bottles...
please let us know how it goes!!!
god bless
r2r

[Needhelp59]

I know when I took xanax, I would get a script filled and pour it into an old bottle so if my husband saw it he wouldn't think I was taking many.  I found out much later I didn't fool him.  He could tell I was taking them, even when I swore I wasn't.....Just talk to him (not in a mean or accusing way) but just with concern, and ask.  Good luck!

[mimi1313]

Anytime...

[BSOUTHERN]

Thanks for responding. That makes me feel better. I appreciate you taking time to talk to me about this.

[mimi1313]

He may just be taking them on the weekend. Is that when you notice the behavior change? He also might be getting refills and using the same bottle. I did that.

[danners]

well you can't be sure unless you ask him...but if that bottle was only half gone in a three week period i'm guessing he's not addicted.....even a bottle that hold 240, which is usually the biggest script you can get, an addict would have them gone after a week lol...no joke....especially with Lortab, because in the world of narcotic drugs, those are the weakest as far as euphoria and other feelings that lead to addiction....be upfront with him. U should be able to ask your husband those kinds of things if you're worried. if he does have a problem, u confronting him about it could be the beginning of his recovery. he might open his eyes if he sees it's worrying you and he might seek help....thats even if he really is addicted. but like I said that bottle would be gone if he was really bad. Well good luck and keep us posted. Goodbye for now :)

[BSOUTHERN]

Thank you for responding, I am worried. I think it's the same bottle. I am going to look at it tonight and see. I also want to see the mg. His behavior is strange after the weekend, do you think he might abuse them only on the weekend? I know that sounds strange but I'm trying to get my mind around what is going on.

[mimi1313]

The behavior change could indicate addiction. But it doesn't seem like he uses a lot of them. Are you sure its the same bottle?