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Can someone relapse on ZZZQuil

 My husband has been clean from prescription drugs for 19 years, my worries started a year ago with the ocational use of NyQuil and Unisom tablets to sleep; last week while on vacation I found seven (7), 12 oz bottles of ZZZQuil in the closet (under his clothes), as each morning passed I rechecked the closet, one bottle disappeared each night along with two of the Unisom pills. He struggled with staying awake around 3pm every day and said he was just tired. I'm sure the 10% alcohol and Diphenhydramine in both the ZZZQuil and Unisom has something to do with it.

I approached my husband with maybe getting a sleep study done and stop self medication. He imediately was defensive telling me I didn't know what I was talking about because his drug of choice was Hydrocodone not alcohol. He also pointed out on the ZZZQuil label it says Non-Habit Forming; My gut feels like he has relapsed but I don't want to approach him with this if I am wrong. Can a person in recovery from pain pills relapse on ZZZQuil and Unisom?

Thank you,

Sheila

Posted: 08/01/2016 9:20 AM

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In Response to: Can someone relapse on ZZZQuil

Yes.  It is important to know that the drug a person is addicted to is not the issue, it is the disease of addiction. so, a person may be originally addicted to alcohol, get clean, then relapse on opiates, or crack, or meth, or sleeping pills, etc.  That is because it is the disease of Addiction, not the disease of addiction to (fill in the blank).

Yes, going through a bottle of Zquil and several unisom seems to indicate a relapse of the disease of Addiction. Your spouse should get to a doctor for advice on withdrawl and other assistance with sleep.

 

Posted: 08/22/2016 12:36 AM

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LIFECOACH
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In Response to: Can someone relapse on ZZZQuil

NyQuil is alcohol, alcohol is a drug. It is very common for an addict to replace one drug for another. If it is being hidden and he is defensive when asked I think you have your answer. I work in a rehab and a small amount of melatonin is the only acceptable sleep aide.

Posted: 09/01/2016 7:26 AM

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In Response to: Can someone relapse on ZZZQuil

Now is a good time to set some boundaries.  Not rules for him, but what you will and won't allow in YOUR life. 

You could let him know that he needs to go to AA meetings and get back on track. 

Posted: 09/01/2016 8:18 AM

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