what do you think...

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a friend that is addicted to codine and other pain killers. Everytime she gets a sniffle, or a slight pain, she goes to the doctor and lies about how bad she is hurting or how sick she feels and gets meds.

She loves codine cough syrup. She will take the entire (large) bottle in two days flat. She is a bad diabetic, lots of issues, mental, emotional, physical, you name it.

You can't talk to her about it. She just gets defensive, of course.

I've thought about making a little phone call to her drs office (all of them) and giving them a heads up, no names...ya know. The other part of me says stay out of it.

I just want the docs to stop giving her the stuff. I am worried about her health, but I don't really want to get in the middle of it either....

...torn

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

Unless you are related to her, then you can not do anything about it.

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

BethT:

I think that your friend has to hit "rock bottom" before she will seek help....Just like any addiction, be it nicotine, cocaine, crack., ETOH...The person has to want to quit.

You follow through on your thoughts and you will lose all contact with your friend as she will no longer trust you...And believe me, somehow she will find out.

I feel for you. My best-est friend in the whole world is hooked on crack, and there ain't anything that I can do about it. I try to be supportive, but she has got to be the one to finally say, "I've had it" and once she goes through rehab (again, sigh...) she must, MUST leave her old digs, her old stomping grounds, where she used to hang and the people she used to associate with. Then, and only then, will someone like my friend actually have go at being clean

I feel for you, I do.

athena

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Specializes in ER.

I disagree. A phone call can be anonymous, and it may clue the doc in where he/she had just suspicions before. Working in the ER letters are more helpful (helpfullerer??) than phone calls because they can be placed in the chart without comment by a provider, and still be there to be seen by the next provider.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

As a medical professional, I can see the signs....pain med seekers, people able to move(asleep and upon waking, pain is 10/10)...however, I cannot make my treatment decision based on what I think a patient is feeling...it is what they say it is.

However, I applaud you for wanting the best for your friend. You may need to be prepared to sit her down, tell her your feelings, and then lose her.....or perhaps you being a caring friend will be the hurdle she needs. GL either way.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.
I

The other part of me says stay out of it.

...torn

......:up:

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Yeah... I think I am just going to stay out of it. She isn't even really that good of a friend. It's none of my business and I am sure that the Doctors know what they are doing, after all I am sure they see that kind of stuff all the time. Plus, I really don't need any extra drama in my life!!

Thanks for helping me decide...

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