Prescription Drug Addiction: Methadone Detox Facts

Question: Prescription drug addiction, need advice?

(Posted by: on 2011-02-09 11:30:38)

My mother- in- law is addicted to prescription pain killers. She has not been out of hospitals or her regular physician's office for more than two consecutive days since the week after Christmas. My wife, father- in- law, and my wife's grandmother are all too scared to do anything because they don't want to make her mad. (Stupid? I agree) Anyway since I am the only one willing to act on this I need help. Where should I begin? Do I call every hospital within 100 miles to let them know she is coming seeking out drugs? Do I contact law enforcement? I know she isn't doing this illegally but I know she is abusing. She sleeps for 14- 18+ hours a day. Her mood is completely different than normal. She now has a short temper and yells at anyone around. When asked she tells us, "you just don't understand how bad I hurt " or "the medicine that I'm on now isn't working ". She goes to multiple different emergency rooms until she gets whatever she thinks she needs. If one doctor won't give it she finds one that will. She has traveled up to two hours away from her home trying to get medicine. I am wanting to fix this so my wife doesn't have to bury her 44 year old mother in the next year or two. Also, I'm doing this so my son who is currently 3 will grow up knowing his grandma. If anyone has advice please help me out. I know whatever I do will make her angry but I would much rather lose our relationship than for my wife to lose her mother forever. Thank you in advance for any help. - Mike

Posted by: Renae on 2011-02-09, 12:00:11

I am very, very sorry. But, you can do whatever you want, but if she doesn't recognize that she has a problem or want the help, nothing you do, will do any good. I wouldn't bring my kids over to see her as long as she is abusing. I would also make it very, very clear to her that you will do nothing to make her addiction easier for her. Give her money, rides, ect... do nothing to assist her. My mom is an alcoholic, so is my husband, my sister is a recovering pill addict. So I know what you are going through, and I am sorry, and tell your wife, I am sorry.

Posted by: Jay on 2011-02-12, 12:44:23

You will ned to go through medical channels to ensure that your steps to quit do not cause severe issues mentally or physically. Many prescription drugs can cause severe withdraw symptoms and other physical problems. Rehab is a place where you can find both counselors and medical treatment.