Someone you care about friend/family member is abusing pain killers and you have already confronted her and the whole family has had an intervention.
Two years later though all appearances point to a cleaning up of her act you know for certain she is getting pain killers from 3 different doctors, pharmacies and once a month at the ER, and everyone is saying "mind your own business" and you are not sure why you need to tell or get her in trouble.
But should you anyway. This woman is 50 years old and hurting no one but herself and not about to change
2007-02-16 03:13:49 · 10 answers · asked by lilygateau 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Med seeking has become a popular thing for some people. She will eventually get caught by her doctors or the pharmacy so don't worry about you feeling the need to tell on her. She would get mad, everyone else would get mad, and they may not even believe you. So let her trip herself up. And she won't get help until she wants it and it sounds like she doesn't. So maybe she needs to fall flat on her face to wake her up. Just don't let her drive anyone around, if she is, then I would call the police station and tell them that she is driving on these heavy meds. I only would get involved if she was driving herself or others around on the medications. You can call and talk to the police and they can also give you advice.
2007-02-16 03:24:58 · answer #1 · answered by Serinity4u2find 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, the only thing I can think of is to maybe tell the pharmacy where you know she gets her prescription filled. Talk to the pharmicist and ask them how you can help this family member. She's probably going to different drug stores to get the medicines filled though - - - because if she just went to one, they would be calling her regular doctor, due to this being a serious offense.
I also have a friend who is doing this very same thing. She is very smart though and knows how to get away with it. She goes to 3 or 4 different hosptial emergency rooms and 3-4 different doctors and 3 different pharmacies (at least!). She also asks for pain medicine from friends whom she knows has had surgery recently and may have extra pills. She tells them she is in terrible pain and that her prescription has ran out. It's sad because this woman is genuinely a good person and fun to be around. But until she realizes she has to stop, then I don't know if anyone can help her.
2007-02-16 11:25:52 · answer #2 · answered by TPhi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work for a psychiatrist and this has become an increasing problem for the practice. Yes, absolutely inform her doctors, they can not tell you anything about her, but you can inform them of her actions. This problem will not stop itself. The vast majority of doctors do not communicate with one another, nor with the pharmacy. It is likely that she will OD before anybody else realizes what is going on.
2007-02-16 11:57:35 · answer #3 · answered by thaihorse77 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let it go. She's old enough to look out for herself and if she's not hurting anyone else, then there's no reason to interfere. I'm 50 and the only drugs I take are the ones that keep me alive and I have known plenty of people who are exactly as your friend and they got off the drugs on their own. Let it go and maybe, just maybe she'll learn from her mistakes.
2007-02-16 11:38:31 · answer #4 · answered by Kevin A 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go through the process as many times as necessary. You are right, she can not change - on her own. Drug abuse is a hard addicition to treat. 50 is not old. She has many years ahead of her to enjoy life, but not that way. Do something.
2007-02-16 11:26:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a tough question. Does she know that abusing pain meds like Oxycontin will rot her teeth? Even her front teeth will rot and start getting smaller and browner. Eventually she may not have any teeth. You could tell her that. It happened to a friend of mine.
Other than that, I agree with the other answer that there is nothing you can do. The decision is hers.
2007-02-16 11:18:14 · answer #6 · answered by martinmagini 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i am sure if you told all doctors concerned they would take it
seriously, also she could hurt someone else by causing an accident ie walking in front of a car and getting driver injured.
she needs a counsellor or even rehab
good lick
2007-02-16 11:45:17 · answer #7 · answered by UC BLUES -Jose 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot help someone who does not want to be helped. There is nothing you can do or no one to report this too. Just pray for the person to come to her senses before it is to late.
2007-02-16 11:17:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
call 911 if you have proof
2007-02-16 16:28:42 · answer #9 · answered by mkandfa4rever 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This person needs help and what she is doing is illegal.
2007-02-16 11:28:27 · answer #10 · answered by Tiffany 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋