by Frances
(New Jersey)
My husband stopped drinking for 18 1/2 yrs .. after having 3 stents put into his arteries. July 2010, he started going down hill .. depression, addicted to his percocets that were given to him like candy from his doctors for his injured knee and then, the drinking. For a year and a half he emotionally, & mentally drained myself and our 3 children and his family. Always stating ” he was a different person ” and that’s that !! I knew he was drinking and addicted to his percocets and yet, he still was in denial, telling me I was CRAZY .. Why would he allow himself to fall again AFTER 18 1/2 years of living sober .. WHY would he not know to pick up that drink or take that pill ????
REPLY
Firstly, did your husband tell his doctor that he had had issues with alcohol in the past? It should have been a question the doctor asked before prescribing any opiate type medication. Any doctor worth his salt knows that alcoholics are addicts, it is just that their choice of substance was alcohol and not opiates, cannabis etc. It is easy to move an addiction from one substance to another, addicts can easily switch ‘allegiances’. Many people believe that becuase a drug is prescribed by a doctor then it can’t possibly be a problem – doctors are somehow infallible.
Secondly, it is difficult to say what got your husband back drinking, however, it is most likely the perocet did not help.
Both alcohol and opiates make you feel good, an addict likes to take a short cut to feeling good but feeling good this way ultimately results in physical and mental addiction
Also you say he was depressed, alcohol is used by many to self-medicate. Is your husband on any medication for his depression?
Another thing, it states on the insert for opiate medications that you should not mix alcohol and opiate type medications as both are depressants? His doctor should be made aware of the fact that he is mixing alcohol with his medication (if he is).
All the best.
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. I have since settled in North Carolina. I have experience working with various stages of addiction, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, stages of life concerns and relationship concerns.
I tend to use a person-centered approach which simply means that I meet you where you are and work collaboratively to help you identify and work towards accomplishing goals. I will often pull from CBT when appropriate. I do encourage use of mindfulness and meditation and practice these skills in my own life. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity and compassion.
I recognize that reaching out for help is hard and commend you for taking the first step. We have professionals available who would be happy to help you move closer to reaching your goals related to your drinking concerns. You may reach these professionals by calling 877-322-2694.