11 Jul Your Spouse Lost a Job to Substance Abuse Addiction: Now What?

In the weeks and months leading up to your spouse’s job loss, you probably noticed the red flags but did not realize how serious it was affecting his or her employment. One of the major signs of substance abuse addiction is poor decision-making, which affects all areas of life – emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially. You noticed your spouse looking a bit more disheveled these days; he’s gotten lazier around the house, more verbally abusive and volatile around you and the kids. Your wife doesn’t cook as often as she used to, and when you ask her about her part of the chores, she never feels like doing it anymore. Your finances have taken a big hit, and you can’t help but notice that…

• Your spouse has been home more often, claiming to be “sick” and “not feeling up to par”
• Your spouse missed a bonus or promotion but doesn’t seem to care
• Money seems to keep disappearing and none of it is accounted for
• Your bank accounts are drained suddenly
• Your spouse asks you for money because he/she can’t pay their part of the utilities this month (but they started asking for help with the bills the last several months while they were still employed)
• Valuable items have been disappearing around the house, and you later find out your spouse pawned them for money
• You find out from other family members and close friends that your spouse has been borrowing money from them for the mortgage, food, and utilities, yet you’ve seen none of that money when the time came to pay for those bills
• You have a strong suspicion that your spouse may have an addiction, but when you confront, he or she makes excuses, is in denial, or pushes you away, refusing to answer your questions or accusing you of “not trusting” them

So, your spouse lost a job, but there’s always another one they can apply for, right? Not necessarily. In an interview, the interviewer will always ask for the reason why the interviewee was asked to resign from their last employment. During those critical moments, the applicant’s body language may give it away that something is wrong with the picture; if the candidate is honest about the termination, the interviewer will most likely pass them up, or if the person does get hired, their declining productivity will eventually cost them another job.

When an individual loses employment to substance abuse addiction, they are also less likely to hold down a job for a long time. Maintaining steady employment will be out of the user’s reach until he or she gets help for the very reason that led to the job loss in the first place. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2018) reports that abuse of alcohol and other drugs costs Americans $740 billion every year in costs related to crime, health care and lost work productivity.

Before things get worse…

If you didn’t know your spouse was struggling with substance abuse addiction, it may be hard for you to admit to yourself that your loved one was capable of addiction. Maybe they were the one whom you admired because they were always on top of their game and taking care of others, which was one of the qualities that made you fall in love with this person. Over time, however, what they did not tell you was the enormous pressure they felt inside but they did not feel safe about opening up to anyone because they wanted to uphold a certain image. Who knows? Most people who turn to substance abuse do so because they have unresolved internal battles that they haven’t figured out yet for themselves. You may have a strong suspicion that your loved one is addicted, or perhaps it’s confirmed that your spouse does have an alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder. Either way, help is available for you and your family. Don’t waver any longer in denial or indecision.

Which kind of substance abuse addiction treatment is right for my loved one?

The most effective types of addiction treatment are those that integrate holistic therapies with clinically proven evidence-based practices because they heal the whole person rather than just the symptoms of substance use disorders. Dual diagnosis treatment addresses co-occurring disorders associated with substance use, such as depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, anxiety, mild or severe forms of psychosis. New Method Wellness, one of the nation’s best treatment centers for addiction, offers dual diagnosis treatment at all levels: intensive outpatient (IOP), residential care, executive lifestyle, and more.

Recovery First, Everything Else Second

At this juncture, it is vital that your loved one make recovery his or her priority because, without it, they won’t be able to do anything else. Not only does your loved one suffer, but everyone else involved – you, the kids, extended family members, and friends – suffers along too. As you can attest, watching your loved one’s health and emotional well-being disintegrate is a heart-breaking process, not to mention having to deal with the financial difficulties and relationship strains that go with it. Most likely your loved one may not see the destructive effects of his or her addiction, but you can reach out to New Method Wellness and seek guidance on getting your loved one to treatment. Recommended by Dr. Phil and featured on Emmy Award-winning A & E’s Intervention, New Method Wellness offers programs that help clients achieve lifelong recovery, stay off drugs and regain in their productivity at work and in life.

Seeking help for substance abuse addiction on behalf of a loved one? Call 866.951.1824 today!