nodding off

[holi1107]

My husband used to be addicted to pills and claims that he is clean and sober.  He started a new job and doesn't get home until 1am some nights.  He is currently taking Ativan 0.5mg and another antidepressant that he claims makes him very tired.  We no longer sleep in the same room due to marriage issues stemming from the drug use, but when I go into his room I notice that he is smoking in there and his pillows and blankets and even remote control is burned and has holes in the blankets and pillows from the burns.  I ask him about it and he brushes it off.  I have asked him not to smoke in the house as we do have two children and my mother just passed away from lung cancer but he continues.  Lately on top of the burns I have walked into his bedroom and found him sound to sleep with a cigarette that has gone out.  This morning when I went in there to tell him I was leaving for work I found him sitting up with his head in his lap out cold.  I am thinking he is not clean and sober and this could not be caused by the medication he is taking but rather maybe from taking stonger pills then just Ativan 0.5 mg and an antidepressant.  He will sleep for almost 12 + hours and states it is because he has diabetes and needs the extra sleep.   Any suggestions?

[CreamyWhite76]

Well unfortunately I'm doing the same thing at my house burning the blankets and my sheets. I'm on 150mgs of Methadone which I was at 165mgs. I'm not taking any other drugs only the Methadone and I'm still nodding off that's the reason why my counselor recommended me going down on the meds. I don't know about the medication your husband is taking but I know people act different to medications.

[EmptyMum]

No question in my mind, he is using heavy drugs. Protect yourself and your children. You have to ignore your emotions and focus on your instincts. I'm so sorry for you and your family, I understand what you are going through. My 18yr old daughter is a heroin addict and I still don't want to believe it or face up to it. I will say a prayer for your family, wishing you peace and comfort.

[Ann2497]

I have never heard of .5 Ativan doing that to anyone, especially a man that probably weighs a minimum of 180 pounds.  I have taken that much Ativan and it didn't put me to sleep and at the time, I weighed 120.

Ativan can make you sleepy for sure, but nodding off/passing out with a cigarette in your hand on MULTIPLE occasions?

Can you snoop around the room when he goes to the bathroom to see if you can find some pills?  You will need concrete proof to confront him because he will deny it if he is using something stronger.

[justtbe1]

There is no way that .5 of ativan is gonna do that to a person.  Maybe 10.0 of Ativan at one time.  I actually Have a picture on my computer that my brother took of me in that exact same position as your husband.  Sitting in bed indian style with my face planted in the mattress and thats a mix of 120mg of methadone and who knows how much Xanax and clonazepam.  He's probably on some heavy drugs.  Burning your sheets and all that is a true opiate nod thing.  Ive never heard of someone doing that off of a small amount of ativan like that.

[Life360_Dave]

Nursegirl is correct. Many house fires are from smoking in bed and once the fire starts can engulf the entire house very fast.
With his nodding problem, you might want to call the doctor giving him this scrip and talk over the issue with the doctor before something terrible happens.

[nursegirl6572]

What you describe sounds like much more than what he's saying.  Go with your gut here.  You have to do something before he burns the house down, your children need protected.  Even if he ISN'T using drugs, he's being irresponsible, careless, and reckless.  Time to get tough and make some decisions about him leaving, or YOU leaving IMO.  So sorry you're going through this!