Relationships are full of ups and downs, but my story is one of deep betrayal and heartache. After 13 years of marriage and three children, my wife’s addiction led to a series of events that shattered our lives.
A couple of years ago, my wife began abusing her prescribed Adderall. The withdrawal symptoms were severe, causing her to lose her job. She initially blamed her anemia, but eventually, she came clean about the Adderall abuse. Together, we found her a new job and regulated her medication. I took control of her pills to prevent further abuse, and for a while, things seemed to be getting better.
About a year and a half later, I noticed random charges at a local nutrition store. She claimed they were for energy drinks, but I later discovered they were for a substance called tianeptine, known as “gas station heroin.” When confronted, she broke down and promised to stop.
Months later, she called me, unable to breathe and shaking violently. Her coworker drove her home, and after much probing, I found out she had taken 60 Stacker 2 pills. Her addiction had spiraled out of control, leading her to max out credit cards to buy these pills, accumulating $20,000 in debt. We decided she needed inpatient rehab to get clean.
For the first week in rehab, she communicated daily and called the kids on weekends. Things seemed normal until our first family therapy session, where she spent half an hour criticizing me. Shortly after, she switched her payroll direct deposit to her Venmo account and asked for her Venmo card to send money. She then told me she wanted us to separate to work on ourselves.
I felt something was wrong, but no one believed me. After being removed as her contact, I joined a few support groups and learned about the “13th step,” which refers to relationships formed in rehab. I checked her phone records and discovered she had been communicating with a guy she met in rehab. He revealed they had been flirting and sending nude photos, and even hooked up once before he left.
When I confronted her about cheating, she called me a piece of shit. I sent her one of the nude photos she had sent him and disconnected her phone. I informed the rehab facility, but they dismissed my concerns and reported me as unstable.
My wife hasn’t contacted me or asked about the kids in three weeks. She sent a letter blaming me for her addiction, claiming I should have gotten her help sooner and accusing me of benefiting from her addiction. Filing for bankruptcy because of her $20,000 debt is hardly a benefit.
This betrayal has left me lost and unsure of what to do next. Here are some steps I am considering to move forward:
This experience has been incredibly painful and challenging. The betrayal and deceit from someone I trusted deeply have left me heartbroken. However, I am determined to move forward for the sake of my children and my own well-being. Through seeking support, addressing legal and financial issues, and focusing on my children, I hope to rebuild and find a path to healing.
Thank you for listening to my story.