How do you know when your partner or spouse needs help for addiction? You may notice they are drinking a lot more than they used to drink. Maybe you notice they are running out of pain medications or anxiety prescriptions too soon. These situations may indicate an underlying substance use disorder. So, what’s next? How do you respond?

Open the Conversation

The best place to start is with a conversation. Ask if you can talk with them. Open up with them about what you’re seeing and what fears you have. If your partner or spouse can see your genuine concern for them, they may be willing to talk. Here are some key questions to ask.

  • Are you using more than you should?
  • Are you struggling with more stress or emotional turmoil than usual?
  • Is there something happening with your health that you haven’t shared?
  • What can I do to help you avoid using while at home?
  • Do you think you’re becoming dependent on the substance?

You can also provide some information about why you are concerned. Describe any changes you’ve noticed in their behavior or appearance. Maybe you’ve noticed that they are missing family events or no longer engaging in activities they used to enjoy.

Finally, talk about boundaries. For example, you may hate that they are using drugs or getting high around the kids. Studies consistently indicate the negative effects of a parent’s drug and alcohol use on children. Let your partner know you’re worried about how their substance use is affecting the family, and set some boundaries to protect yourself and your children.

Making the Decision to Host an Intervention

If you’ve spoken to your spouse or partner and they are no longer willing to engage, it’s time to get help. A professional interventionist or addiction therapist can help you plan a conversation and be there with you to guide the process.

Here are some things to think about as you prepare to reach out for help.

  • Have they said they will stop using but continue to use anyway?
  • Is their life on the line? (If they’ve overdosed before, it’s likely they will do so again).
  • Are they engaging in risky behavior around you or your children?
  • Are you afraid of the future?
  • Do you feel as though their use is increasing?
  • Are you enabling your loved one by not setting boundaries and by letting them continue to use in your home?

An interventionist will ask you questions to learn about your situation and will provide resources not only for your spouse or partner, but for your own well-being. You will no longer feel alone.

What an Intervention Does for You

An intervention is a time to discuss what’s happening in your family. It is also a time to talk about the needs of each person within that family unit, including their desires for the loved one to stop using. This can open the door for opportunities.

  • Communication may improve.
  • Unspoken problems can be resolved.
  • Relationships can improve (or dissolve, when that’s the better option).
  • People can heal.
  • Your loved one’s life may be saved.

Even if you are unsure whether your loved one has an addiction, talking with an interventionist can provide you with insight to guide your decision-making. You don’t want to ask “what if” in a few years, when it may be too late.

Give Us a Call

If your spouse might be struggling with addiction and you’re not sure how to help, contact our professional team at DK Solutions. We would love to talk with you. We can help you understand what’s happening and what your loved one’s behavior means.

We’ll help you learn more about what an intervention is and how it works. We’ll talk to you about your long-term goals and what kind of treatment your loved one may need. Some people may need to enter detox before beginning treatment. Your spouse or partner may benefit from long-term residential treatment, or they may be able to live at home in a stable environment and receive outpatient treatment.

Don’t let what you don’t know limit you from getting your loved one the help they need. Reach out to DK Solutions Group now to learn more about our services.

For more information about intervention services offered by DK Solutions Group please call (601) 906-9024 or send us a secure online message.