Signs of Drug Abuse in Your Spouse

Does your husband disappear in the middle of the night? Has your wife become moody and irritable on a daily basis? If so, your spouse may suffer from drug addiction. According to the National Institutes of Health, in 2007 more than 23 million Americans suffered from addiction to narcotics and prescription drugs. The signs can manifest psychologically, physically, socially and in changes in your spouse's daily activities.

Mental

• The psychological signs of drug abuse depend on the drug. Marijuana abuse can lead to poor memory, a loss of coordination, confusion and slurred speech. Cocaine abusers often experience irritability or euphoria; users may also become paranoid and depressed. A spouse who abuses PCP can become panicky and violent. Long-term use of narcotics can lead to withdraw and a diminished sense of self-esteem. Sudden jealousy, abrupt personality changes and violent outbursts can also indicate a spouse's drug abuse.

Physical

• Physical signs of drug abuse also vary depending on the drug a spouse consumes. A husband who has gained or lost excessive weight might be abusing marijuana, which can cause overeating, or cocaine and methamphetamines, which can dull the desire to eat. Long-term heroin use can make users appear gaunt. Insomnia can result from the use of stimulants; other drugs, such as barbiturates, can cause over-sleeping. Some narcotics put a strain on the liver, which filters and processes these drugs from the blood; signs of liver damage from drug use can include jaundiced skin and yellow eyes. Long- and short-term drug use can also cause puffy skin, bloodshot eyes, increased sweating and heart rate and slowed breathing.

Social

• Drug abusers often concoct lies to cover up financial discrepancies, disappearances and behavior; a spouse who begins lying or engages in a pattern of lies is showing one of the signs of drug abuse. Conversely, drug addicts may express feelings of mistrust projected onto others, including a spouse. Cocaine can produce feelings of euphoria, leading to talkativeness; other narcotics, such as methamphetamines, can cause rage and aggression, leading to argumentativeness, social blowups and fight-picking. Employers may spot these signs before a spouse does; a husband or wife suddenly discharged from employment may have lost a job because of drug abuse. Verbal and physical abuse can also indicate an underlying drug problem. A disruption in sleeping patterns can also indicate drug abuse. Individuals who indulge in recreational narcotics such as ecstasy lose inhibitions and make poor decisions. Spouses who abuse drugs might also stop showering or shaving or exhibit other changes in their usual grooming habits.

Evidence

• Patterns of drug abuse can also leave a physical trail of evidence. Certain narcotics require drug paraphernalia to consume; for example, the spouse of a marijuana abuser might find a "roach clip," bong or rolling papers. Heroin addicts require needles and rubber tubing used for tourniquets. Cocaine and other drugs can leave a residue on surfaces. Abusers often hide drugs; finding a stash of small plastic bags or empty prescription drug canisters can also indicate abuse. Spouses who suspect drug abuse can check for financial discrepancies such as money missing from shared bank accounts and overleveraged credit cards. Needle marks and abscesses from frequent injections can also indicate drug abuse.