Prescription drug addiction?

[All_Smiles_RN]

Someone very close to me, an immediate family member, has been in "pain" for several years following a work related injury. She has taken vicodin, soma, and xanax everyday for at least 4 years now, if not longer. I spend a lot of time with her, enough to know that she isn't in as much pain as she plays it up to be. I think she acts like it's worse than it is just so she can get more medicine. Her personality has changed in the past few years. She doesn't think or reason rationally anymore. She functions fine, but how she arrives at her conclusions just bewilders me. I wonder about the compentency of her physicians who continually prescribe this stuff to her. I've even considered discussing my concerns with her doctors (primary care and pain management), but I don't know if they would even listen to me. She'd probably oust me from her life if she found out I did. I've suggested to her that she might have a dependancy on her prescriptions but, as an addict would, she denies it and gets defensive. I love this woman very much and want to help her, but I feel lost. Is there anything I can do??? Thanks for any advice.

...Jennifer...

[leslie :-D]

wow jennifer, that's a very delicate situation.

why is she on the xanax?

that's a somewhat remarkable regimen.

unfortunately, her doctor would not discuss anything w/you and yes, you would risk losing her if you interfered.

at best, you could confidentially let the doctor know your concerns. if you state that it's confidential, then he shouldn't tell your sister.

much luck to you.

leslie

[TexasPoodleMix]

I know someone in the same situation.

Very distressing to watch. I have no advice.

[RedSox33RN]

What a sad situation.

It is true that her doctor will not discuss her situation with you, but that should not prevent you from calling the doc and telling her YOUR feelings about what is going on. I have done this to a family member twice about an alcohol and pain med addiction. The doc will inform you that whatever YOU said to him/her can be brought to told to the pt, because there is no confidentiality between you and the doc, but sometimes that can open up a dialog that was not able to be opened before. Unfortunately though, I know some docs are just enablers and will continue to write scripts just to keep a pt. quiet.

It is hard to do. Sometimes writing a letter to the doc, especially if it is one that is hard to get on the phone, is better. I've also written a letter to the addict before, as it allows me to state my feeling in a calm manner, succintly, without the emotional distress. Specific instances can also be cited, whereas you may forget during an in-person intervention.

It is distressing to watch. I've had to be a hard-azz more than once with a family member, over many years. It can break a family apart.