[duet_4-8]

Hello to everyone. I found SR a few days ago; I have been posting on the 'Friends and Family' boards, but I have some questions that I hope some of you folks who are struggling with hydrocodone can answer for me. I'm sorry if this is long. I guess I just would like some perspective from another point of view, you know?

My husband of 25 years has been abusing drugs for as long as I can remember. (We are children of the 70's; I did my share of partying before the kids came). He used to smoke enough pot for ten people-all day every day. Now he is using lortab and valium. I have found his stash many different times over the years, and have gone through cycles of him obviously using for awhile and then seemingly somewhat straight for awhile. Lots of promises and lots of lies.

Although he has always taken care of us (me and three kids) financially, he hasn't worked in over 15 years because he owns a sporting goods business with his cousin and he gets a rent check and a salary check every month. He spends his days and nights running around and spending money. His cousin is done with this and the business will be closing in a few weeks.

Last Christmas eve, I noticed white powder in his nose. He said it was 'sheet rock dust'. To make a long story short, it turned out to be lortab. Even though I have found the powder, and razor blades, and straws, and the pills themselves several different times since then, he of course totally denies it. I haven't found any in a few weeks but I have quit looking for them. His behavior is basically the same.

So anyway, I guess my question is I am right to think that he is an addict and needs treatment? How common is snorting lortab? It seems to me to be somehow more serious. Do people ever just quit on their own without getting help?

I really already know the answers to these questions and I know what I have to do for myself and the kids. It's just hard to muster the courage to do it. Thanks for any input anyone offers.