One of our members (Cynical One) posted an article in her blog titled "Prescription Drugs, Surgery and Relapse Prevention." I think the blog has been removed but these were the guidelines for the recovering addict:
1. Be sure your doctors take your addiction seriously, and it is advised the physician consult an Board Certified Addictionologist to select the appropriate anesthetic and mood-altering medication. (Your AH is past this step but it might be useful to others to read).
2. Have someone else monitor your medication use. (This is because addictive thinking and drug seeking behavior may be reactivated and could result in manipulation for more medication than is needed).
3. Recognize the risk of craving and impaired judgement. (Even the minimal dose could evoke withdrawal, agitation and confusion the addict may not be prepared for).
4. Prepare before surgery. Alert the sponsor and other recovering people to what is happening and ask for frequent visits while in the hospital and recuperating at home. Have closed meetings during hospital visiting hours. Plan to be actively involved in counseling and the Twelve Step program during convalescence, by telephone if necessary.
5. Get into counseling before surgery and make a commitment to at least 10 weeks of counseling after surgery with a certified addiction counselor.
These were the key points in the article. Maybe some of them will be useful. Good luck to you and to your husband.