husband coming off hydrocodone

[jessiemarie80]

my husband has always been an addict. its with alchohol and used to be meth, crack. A year and a half ago I found out he was taking hydrocodones and oxys. He quit after being on them for 2-3 months Then this last dec. He almost cut his hand off at work. So he had to have surgery and they put him on hydro for the pain. I knew it wasnt a good idea.. but anyways in january he lied and told me he wasnt taking them anymore. Well I had ideas he was being tired, eyes looking funny. lots of money dissapearing. Anyways he admitted hes been taking 10 a day of the 10 mg? so total hes been them over a yr with maybe a month break.He came off of them a week from this last monday. At first he was very emotional, crying and depressed. then there was the diariaha, legs wouldnt quit moving, up all night  and coudlnt sleep. well that seemed to have gotten better. Now to my real question. 2 days ago he became extremely irratated over nothing. And then he could hardly keep his eyes open. Now my husband does work outside and it was 105 that day.. But last night he was not tired at all.. wanted to go out and do things. but still VERY VERY agitated.. other than that he says hes doing better besides some anxiety that comes and goes and body aches. My question is this.. does it sound like he may be on them again or can there be a week and a half delay in the extreme grouchiness? Im just so worried.. I know that even if I ask him he will just lie to me like he has always done..  What do yall think? sorry its so long I just wanted to include anything I might think would be helpful.

[atthebeach]

hi and welcome to MH
i am the wife of a recovering addict (16 months) after the most recent relapse(dark,dirty,secret love affair) of 14 yrs to methadone,xanax,beer. the addiction and all it entails. it drains the life out of us (wife & family) trust or lack there of is a major factor.
was he agitated when he was using? i know my husband was.  the stupidest little things would send him flying off the handle. so angry,yelling. when they are detoxing they really arent so agitated more of a depression and anxiety. not being able to keep his eyes open. that would make me suspicious. sleep is very hard to come by during detox.
the trust is coming back slowly ,after years and years and years of deceit,lies,promises,broken promises,money issues,stealing,it is to be expected.
he definitely needs to be diligent in obtaining aftercare in some form. either counseling with therapist,addiction specialist,psychologist,na/aa,church,needs to get to the bottom of his habitual abuse. suppressed emotions,pain,scars,wounds.
i would also recommend you get into counseling. i went for many years. now i counsel with my pastor and am very involved with my church. you need support to help you heal.
i will pray for you
debbie

[overopiates]

I can't say for sure but he clearly has a pattern of deception with u and using so I would watch for signs.What you need to do is get him aftercare like NA/AA because is has been an addict of some kind for a long time.Good luck he is blessed to have u to be there through all this

[Bubulous]

I cannot and would not want to say he is or isn't likely on them.  If he is it is likely you will have a hard time finding out about it....as my wife did.  If he isn't and you expect that he is you are more likely to be uncomfortable around him and in turn add to his anxiety and anger. The best thing to do is give him the benefit of the doubt and he may admit it to you unless you find hard evidence and even then I urge you to ask him to get proffessional help.  I know it would have benefited me greatly if my ex-wife would have realized I had the treatable disease of addiction.

If he is drinking a lot it is just an addiction that can replace opiates.  Neither one is better than the other.  People who aren't addicts can usually drink in moderation.  Most of us if not all of us cannot.

In closing if there was ever a time that you really loved and trusted him cling on to that and try to help him.  It is likely he is good guy with a disease and not a bad guy with a problem.