Does Anyone Have Resources And/or Advice for Family Members With a Heavy Prescription Drug Abuse Habit?
Question by Hauntedfox: Does anyone have resources and/or advice for family members with a heavy prescription drug abuse habit?
The person in question is in her 50’s, and has been on at least 3 types of pain meds and muscle relaxers for over 10 years. She lives in a drug induced fog. Serious replies only please- I am looking for advice on how to reach out to her, and resources for seeking help.
Kate, I am sorry for what you are going through. MS is tough. The aunt in question does not have it, but two others, and 2 cousins, do. There is a very strong familial connection, and i am at the age to live in fear of getting it, as well. It sounds like you have chosen to live your life despite, and that is wonderful. I wish you the best. Thank you for sharing this story. I wonder if, like in my aunt’s case, there was something psychological even before the onset of disease? She was abused for 3 years, and started with drugs in high school to ease that pain before her back problems set in. She is on high doses of oxycontin, percoset, and flexeril now, for common back pain. And these are just the ones we know about. Yes, I agree- family intervention cannot make the situation worse. I cringe when I think of her words- “The meds allow me to spend time with my granddaughters. Without them, I would want to die.” Pain management and a pain-free existence are different things.
Best answer:
Answer by Just_gone
Narcotics Anonymous.
http://www.na.org
Answer by Kate
I’m in the same situation as you but with my sister. My sis (and I) have Multiple Sclerosis. Mine is much different than hers. She’s always in chronic pain, her walking is seriously impaired, etc.
She has a morphine pump and also takes Vicadon and assorted muscle relaxers. She nearly died this past January.
It’s to the point now where, if she doesn’t get help soon, she’ll die.
I wrote her a long letter giving her my viewpoint. I told her that I think she doesn’t want to get better. That she doesn’t want the pain to go away. She has identified herself by her illness. I basically told her to do two things:
1. Control the circumstance and don’t let the circumstance control you. By remaining in a drug induced fog, she feels she’s controlling whatever situation that happens to be present at the time. Avoiding it (by taking meds) is, in my opinion, controlling a negative situation.
2. She needs to look in the mirror and see something else other than pain and MS. She needs to look in the mirror and see someone other than a victim.
Things have gotten so bad that I applied to A&E’s show, Intervention.
I’m calling my siblings and her friends to discuss having our own intervention.
At this point, tough love has to kick in. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts, your opinions about her wellbeing. Wouldn’t you rather have someone mad at you and have them alive? Or would you rather sit on the sidelines and watch her die?
I wish you luck and I wish your friend a smooth journey toward recovery.
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