My sister is a wonderful person and I Love her. But I think she is hooked on pain Pills. She had a car accident about a year ago. And got hurt really badly. She is back to her every day life. But she is still eating Hydrocodone like it is candy. I tried to talk to her about it but she had a fit. She functions fine, goes to work, takes care of her house and family. But I know she is taking at least 60 pills a week maybe more. Because I have picked up prescriptions for her. She is also mad at me because her husband over heard our conversation. And tried talking to her about it. What can I do? She is barely talking to me. And she is accusing me of trying to cause her trouble with her husband.
2006-07-04 09:50:43 · 29 answers · asked by Kali_girl825 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Remember that addicts aren't rational. If she freaked out at you so badly, it means that somewhere inside she may be worried that she has a problem.
1. Find some evidence and do your research. Collect impassive science to show her she has a problem. Ask a doctor about this without mentioning her name. Give her the literature and let her read it alone.
2. Step back, find a trusted authority (mother, father, aunt, friend) who's a bit removed.
3. Start talking without mentioning the drugs. Then apologise to her for frightening her and say that you are worried and love her. Ask her if she is in pain and can use more physical therapy or needs medical attention.
4. Do not gang up on her or work with her husband against her. It will end badly and she will stop trusting both of you. It's not fair but that's how it'll go.
5. The hard part: know when to step back rather than ruin the relationship, and simply be there for her. If she's completely functioning, it will be hard to convince her that she has a problem. And just maybe she doesn't and is simply in pain.
2006-07-04 09:58:30 · answer #1 · answered by Alex G 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Tell her that the only reason why you brought it up is because you care. A person who is NOT addicted wouldn't have reacted the way she did. An addict's main goal is to protect the addiction. Sounds like what your sister is doing through both denial and misdirection (turning the conversation into being about you trying to create trouble between her and her husband instead of addressing the issue). You can't affect a change in her to the extent that she won't be changed but you can let her know that if she needs your support, you'll be there. There may come a time when a full family intervention will be needed. If she keeps this up, chances are she'll get in another wreck while under the influence of a dose of prescription drugs not sanctioned by her doctor and she will find herself in very, very hot legal water. And that's if she DOESN'T hurt someone else along the way. Pain on your body is never as bad as pain on your conscience, not in my experience.
2006-07-04 10:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eventually she'll have to face up to this. For right now, don't enable her by getting her prescriptions filled. If she can't do it let her husband do it. Since you've already put the bug in his ear, he's aware, even if he doesn't act like it. If she has kids, just make sure they stay safe (cars and such). I really don't think there is that much you can do, talk to her husband though. Your sister isn't functioning fully emotionally if she has an addiction. I don't know what else to say, but her husband would have the right to talk to her doctor about this, I don't think you would have that right with privacy laws . Also, you're a good sister, and she may be mad at you for a good while, but she'll realize sooner or later that you only want what is best for her. Good luck !!
2006-07-04 10:00:06 · answer #3 · answered by jenny in ohio 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can sure understand your concern for your sister's health! I'm really surprised that the doctor is still filling the prescription if she is functioning the way you say. Well, I know that you're concerned and you have the right to be! After all you were her sister probably longer than her and her husband have been together. Do the best you can and know that you have done your part talking to her and showing your concern for her. It's up to her to get stop this. Her husband should be concerned to and it may have caused some upset for the two of you but love is the reason why you even got involved and talked to her about it. I'm glad he overheard you two talking because in the long run you will be glad you did. God bless you.
2006-07-04 09:58:36 · answer #4 · answered by ddy'sgrl77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#1 stop picking up the prescriptions for her. Any one hooked on drugs will react negatively to being told they have a problem. You might want to try a family intervention. Call your local narcotics anonymous for help in how you put together an intervention.
Most important, I can tell how much you love your sis. Understand, when dealing with an addict, you will be cussed at, threatened, attacked verbally as well as possibly physically. Hang in there! You are going to have to have the strength and love for both of you.
2006-07-04 10:06:23 · answer #5 · answered by MOI 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know you love your sister very much.No matter what you do to help her,she want see it that way.Your sister is not ready for help nor is she herself.She will have to admit she have a problem.Your sister husband needed to know his wife have an addiction.So what she mad and not talking to you.Aleast you can say if she should die in that state.You can feel good knowing that you try to help her.Look into some programs and share it with her husband.She have children to raise and a husband.Save her family and her life.I will be praying that your sister will admit she have a problem and get the help she need.P.S.Please stop picking up the pills.
2006-07-04 10:27:14 · answer #6 · answered by 40something 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, you should stop picking up the prescriptions for her.If you have tried talking to her then it's time to take action.Her husband should know if there is a problem and if something serious happen like death or hospitalization you will feel really bad.Get her the help she needs call a drug counselor.Good luck and stay strong.
2006-07-04 09:59:51 · answer #7 · answered by missmadhatter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a former ADDICT to Vicodin, over 10 years. I can say you are very correct. There is only one way to make it stop - tell her doctor. The Doctor will likely have a chat with her and advise her that she needs to cut back or stop completely.
This is exactly what my friends did, they looked at the prescription and called that doctor. DO NOT SEND THE MESSAGE THROUGH A NURSE. My friends tried that first and she called to tell me. Fortunately, the doctor PERSONALLY called and got to the bottom of it.
Vicodin is a dangerously overprescribed medication.
2006-07-04 09:58:07 · answer #8 · answered by wham_dummy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what you can do it hide all her pills or throw them away and say you did not do it talk to your parent or her husband do something before it is TOO LATE !!! talk to a doctor or find the pills and look at the color then take on pill and take it to the doctors or the person that help people with pills like in cvs take the pill from her sister and find on just like it jut like and go to her house and pour out all the pills she used and throw it away but don't let her see them after you do that take the good pill that you took from cvs or somethere ales then pour them in the tank that your sister takes the pill and she will the pill she has or good not bad
2006-07-04 10:03:32 · answer #9 · answered by jaime lynn spears 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a difficult one for both you and your sister on one hand you can see the situation for what it is and want to help, however addiction is a funny thing wether it be food, alcohol, drugs or in your sisters case pain relief, it seems to me your sister is shutting you out through embarrasment asking for help is addmitting you have a problem which would be the hardest thing to ever do , all i can suggest is be a listening ear, tell her you are always there for her and most off all dont give up on her good look
2006-07-04 10:04:42 · answer #10 · answered by scooby doo 24 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋