For those who may know, what would some of the signs and symptoms be for Rx pain med addiction?
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quote:Originally posted by skyryder:
For those who may know, what would some of the signs and symptoms be for Rx pain med addiction?
Eating pain pills like M&Ms might be one of the first things to look for.
constantly complaining of unwarranted hurting and different excuses to go to the doctor for pain pills; stealing pain pills; puking and diarrhea and very irritable when they don't have meds; stealing money or anything of value so they can buy some pills; call Bradford for a free over the phone assessment but be aware that if you have insurance that will cover their services they will convince you there is a problem whether there is or not; find a narcotic addiction web site - that would probably be best - they probably need some help and a lot of prayer; I am sure that it ain't nothing nice so to speak!
And Backwoods is right of course, eating pills like M & M's is always a good sign that there is a problem!
And Backwoods is right of course, eating pills like M & M's is always a good sign that there is a problem!
I totally agree with Julie's comment above. I can also add lack of motivation/drive, personal grooming habits suffering, excessive itching and scratching, blaming everyone else for their problems, poor work performance or inability to keep a job. Poor finances- bill collectors calling.
Very , Very addicting , some even after having real problems from an accident or back injury get very addicted if not very carefull , many good people do in this way , but many others will be addicted to other drugs and start or take anything they can get and in any way, as going to many Doctors and Dentist just for the RX , many sure learn fast of what Doctors to go to. Many will steal from your dieing grandparents that that are on Meds for the Pain, we had some pills taken from our fridg as we was at the funneral of our son , and way later when we saw the pills was missing this person lied over and over causeing problems with our familys , untell she agreed to take a Ploygraft Test and even minutes before taking it, said no way would she ever do that, she felled the test and broke down. just showing how addicting this can be. Sad thing is many OD , and even and I maybe understand why the family will call it an accident OD ! some times they are taking so many and defferent types they forget and yes OD .. but so many times and the more they take these pills and mixing them yes many OD and some do not live . I have work with people who's children or family member has robed, lied , wrote checks from their account what ever it took for them to get another Fix. ever get other poeple to go to Doctors and buy the RX from them . It it is huge problem as the Man that does a Drug Awareness Program at the Schools, calls this "The RX Times"
Sneakiness, being secretive is another sign. Also, I know this will sound bizarre, but another sign is if the person is more affectionate--i.e. "I love you man" type statements, etc.
800-239-5509 Narcotics Anonymous may be of some help. There are also meetings every day and every night somewhere local. They may be of some help with your questions.
Getting past all of the denial/lying is the hardest part to deal with. If it is where you can lay your hands on it you might check back over a drug list either from the pharmacy or the insurance company. The list will not tell a lie.
You didn't mention a particular pain med. Sometimes that can also make a difference as to how a person would act. Some people get hyper, some people just get depressed and want to sleep, either way, their interest in daily activities will fall off along with other interests. Some can't hold a job, etc.
The very best thing to do is to educate yourself so you will know what to look for and be aware of.
Getting past all of the denial/lying is the hardest part to deal with. If it is where you can lay your hands on it you might check back over a drug list either from the pharmacy or the insurance company. The list will not tell a lie.
You didn't mention a particular pain med. Sometimes that can also make a difference as to how a person would act. Some people get hyper, some people just get depressed and want to sleep, either way, their interest in daily activities will fall off along with other interests. Some can't hold a job, etc.
The very best thing to do is to educate yourself so you will know what to look for and be aware of.
well, one I love very much is taking percocet (sp) along with things to make them sleep, things to make them awake....they get irritable very easily, runs out before their next script is to be filled, and when they do, they get sick and just lay in bed, hurting.
I don't question the hurting, but the meds are ruining their health and life, and blames other things (me)for certain situations. And if they see this thread, they'll get mad about this.
They need help, but they have to see that too.
What a **** mess. Oh I did forget to mention one reason this person runs out of medicine is the fact that I steel it, and being married to me (a teen porn addict,internet pornaddict,phone sex addict) probably has caused much pain, and the fact that I have made this person feel like less of a person for 20 years couldn't be easy.
I don't question the hurting, but the meds are ruining their health and life, and blames other things (me)for certain situations. And if they see this thread, they'll get mad about this.
They need help, but they have to see that too.
What a **** mess. Oh I did forget to mention one reason this person runs out of medicine is the fact that I steel it, and being married to me (a teen porn addict,internet pornaddict,phone sex addict) probably has caused much pain, and the fact that I have made this person feel like less of a person for 20 years couldn't be easy.
quote:Originally posted by skyryder:
well, one I love very much is taking percocet (sp) along with things to make them sleep, things to make them awake....they get irritable very easily, runs out before their next script is to be filled, and when they do, they get sick and just lay in bed, hurting.
I don't question the hurting, but the meds are ruining their health and life, and blames other things (me)for certain situations. And if they see this thread, they'll get mad about this.
They need help, but they have to see that too.
What a **** mess.
One thing I will never understand is why they don't legalize Marijuana for medical use.I've been told that it works for pain and has no physically addictive effects.You might hear some one say they crave a joint,but you'll never see someone going through detox from Mary jane.
There is also a group called Al-Anon (I think) but any substance addiction link/number could tell you - heck you could even call ECM or Riverbend for some information. They seem to be displaying the classic symptoms. The above mentioned group is for people like you because it also has a tremendous effect on you and you can VERY easily fall into the role of co-dependency and become very sick yourself. It is a mess and I really feel for you - please try and make every effort to at least find someone in an al-anon or related group that can counsel or at least be there for you. There is no charge for those type of things and are supposed to be very strictly annonymous (sp). I will have you in my thoughts and prayers!!!
quote:Originally posted by Backwoods:quote:Originally posted by skyryder:
well, one I love very much is taking percocet (sp) along with things to make them sleep, things to make them awake....they get irritable very easily, runs out before their next script is to be filled, and when they do, they get sick and just lay in bed, hurting.
I don't question the hurting, but the meds are ruining their health and life, and blames other things (me)for certain situations. And if they see this thread, they'll get mad about this.
They need help, but they have to see that too.
What a **** mess.
One thing I will never understand is why they don't legalize Marijuana for medical use.I've been told that it works for pain and has no physically addictive effects.You might hear some one say they crave a joint,but you'll never see someone going through detox from Mary jane.
I agree with you 100% - plus they would make more tax money off it than they do in fines, I feel sure!
Sorry Sky.
Counseling to get to the root of why this person needs to take meds would be a good starting point. Addiction is usually a symptom of something else - depression, anxiety, self-loathing, etc.
I hope she/he will ask a health provider for a recommendation. There are counselors who aren't properly licensed practicing in Florence.
Counseling to get to the root of why this person needs to take meds would be a good starting point. Addiction is usually a symptom of something else - depression, anxiety, self-loathing, etc.
I hope she/he will ask a health provider for a recommendation. There are counselors who aren't properly licensed practicing in Florence.
Sometimes you must take dramatic measures to get the recovery process started,
like contacting their Doctor & informing them of their abuse of the medications they are being prescribed.
If their Doctor is what I call "A Writer", you may have to get down & dirty with them.
A simple threat of a phone call to the DEA will suffice.
The first thing you will have to do is get this medication out of their reach,
then when they are weak, you start to rebuild them.
I do not think much of Bradford Health Services, but Birmingham has several other options for treating drug/alcohol addiction.
Good Luck. Your going to need it my friend.
like contacting their Doctor & informing them of their abuse of the medications they are being prescribed.
If their Doctor is what I call "A Writer", you may have to get down & dirty with them.
A simple threat of a phone call to the DEA will suffice.
The first thing you will have to do is get this medication out of their reach,
then when they are weak, you start to rebuild them.
I do not think much of Bradford Health Services, but Birmingham has several other options for treating drug/alcohol addiction.
Good Luck. Your going to need it my friend.
If the addiction began with a physican writing scripts, then perhaps a new physician and a simple week of detox in a hospital is often very effective. The patient has to want to be clean and free.
If it is a minor addiction/habituation, then the person could do it themselves, but from what you say, this is not the case.
If it is a minor addiction/habituation, then the person could do it themselves, but from what you say, this is not the case.
quote:Originally posted by FirenzeVeritas:
If the addiction began with a physican writing scripts, then perhaps a new physician and a simple week of detox in a hospital is often very effective. The patient has to want to be clean and free.
If it is a minor addiction/habituation, then the person could do it themselves, but from what you say, this is not the case.
And FirenzeVeritas, isn't it true that people can actually die from severe symptoms of detoxing & withdrawals?
I know I've seen my Uncle hallucinate from alcohol withdrawals & started having severe seizures for the first time in his life.
Absolutely! That's why I said a hospital stay was indicated. If one is addicted bigtime, they should be supervised in a medical setting.
About 15 years ago, there was a case of a man arrested in Franklin County who was addicted to Xanax. The jail used a physician in Colbert county who employed a PA living in Franklin.
For those who don't know, a PA is a Physician's Assistant, has a Master's Degree, and has passed an intensive exam. The PA was called to the jail about this man in withdrawal. The PA said that he called the doc and followed his orders. The inmate died from withdrawal, and the ABI was called in.
It came to light that the PA's paperwork was forged. (This was a case of the physician not checking as he should have.) There was a suit and the "PA" blamed the doc and the doc blamed the bogus PA.
I'm sure Franklin County had to pay out a huge sum as did probably the physician. The faux PA, known as Dr. Billy, went to prison and his wife divorced him.
You never know.
BTW, if you don't remember reading about this in the TD, guess what? It was in the B'ham News, not our local paper. Anyone surprised?
About 15 years ago, there was a case of a man arrested in Franklin County who was addicted to Xanax. The jail used a physician in Colbert county who employed a PA living in Franklin.
For those who don't know, a PA is a Physician's Assistant, has a Master's Degree, and has passed an intensive exam. The PA was called to the jail about this man in withdrawal. The PA said that he called the doc and followed his orders. The inmate died from withdrawal, and the ABI was called in.
It came to light that the PA's paperwork was forged. (This was a case of the physician not checking as he should have.) There was a suit and the "PA" blamed the doc and the doc blamed the bogus PA.
I'm sure Franklin County had to pay out a huge sum as did probably the physician. The faux PA, known as Dr. Billy, went to prison and his wife divorced him.
You never know.
BTW, if you don't remember reading about this in the TD, guess what? It was in the B'ham News, not our local paper. Anyone surprised?
Skyryder: Seek help for yourself in dealing with the situation first. Keep in mind that an addict must want to help themselves for themselves. You cannot do it for them. They always hurt those they love the most. Remember that by you tolerating the situation you are being co-dependent or allowing it. Al-Anon is a good place to start. They have open door meetings several times a week and there are several NA chapters around town. Don't worry about the blame...they have to have someone to blame it all on. It's always someone else's fault.
quote:Originally posted by Backwoods:
One thing I will never understand is why they don't legalize Marijuana for medical use.I've been told that it works for pain and has no physically addictive effects.You might hear some one say they crave a joint,but you'll never see someone going through detox from Mary jane.
There is legislation going on right now to legalize medicinal marijuana.
Link
No "symptoms" at all. When I worked drug rehab I was surprised to see a banker friend of mine as well as a nurse that treated me at a local Dr's office. If they are addicted to pills -- many times they function normally just like you or me.
However, signs you can look for are Multiple prescriptions from Multiple doctors -- "accidents or ailments" to get you into the ER -- no appetite or eat mainly junk food -- being a little moody -- and especially defensive when you confront them about your suspicions...or they justify it "I have a Rx" or "my doctor said I needed it"...
However, signs you can look for are Multiple prescriptions from Multiple doctors -- "accidents or ailments" to get you into the ER -- no appetite or eat mainly junk food -- being a little moody -- and especially defensive when you confront them about your suspicions...or they justify it "I have a Rx" or "my doctor said I needed it"...
I have not ever had a client to "die" from withdrawals but FEEL LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO Yes...Detox is not easy. When you've been doing something to your body for years -- it hurts to undo that damage. So long as someone is monitored during detox by a doctor (inpatient or outpatient) no dire consequences usually occur, but it can happen. The main thing I saw was People tend to freak out and go into severe addict mode to get out of feeling the detox pains and then they overdose -- that's when I've mainly heard of them dying...they do too much to try to stop the pains too quickly...Detox even on a doctor's supervised step down dosing process to help ease detox side effects are not easy and it is a major mental game since that is what addiction truly is -- a mind game...
quote:Originally posted by Dreamweaver:
Skyryder: Seek help for yourself in dealing with the situation first. Keep in mind that an addict must want to help themselves for themselves. You cannot do it for them. They always hurt those they love the most. Remember that by you tolerating the situation you are being co-dependent or allowing it. Al-Anon is a good place to start. They have open door meetings several times a week and there are several NA chapters around town. Don't worry about the blame...they have to have someone to blame it all on. It's always someone else's fault.
I absolutely agree --
quote:Originally posted by DixieChik:
...being a little moody -- and especially defensive when you confront them about your suspicions...or they justify it "I have a Rx" or "my doctor said I needed it"...
yep....and a little "moody" is an understatement! It's like Jekyll and Hyde.
Jekll and Hyde sounds pretty accurate to me!
just don't allow this person to try to use methadone to help. It's just another addiction
How would you know if someone has a pain disorder or a prescription drug problem? I am just curious if the sysmtoms are similar.
I know someone who got off pills by taking Suboxone. Only a few doctors prescribe it locally (do a google search).
quote:Originally posted by hott moma:
just don't allow this person to try to use methadone to help. It's just another addiction
AMEN !!
And Sky........you said the person "runs out" of the prescription before it's time to get it filled? That is a SURE sign. If they were taking it as prescribed, they would not run out.
Bottom line, if the pills (or alcohol for that matter) causes problems in someone's life, then it is a PROBLEM.
I once told a friend, one DUI is a HUGE mistake, but someone who will do it again? That is a HUGE PROBLEM.
Good luck to you, and I also agree that Al Anon is a wonderful resource to help YOU deal with your feelings about the problem. That is really all you can control, how you react.
God Bless !
quote:Originally posted by skyryder:
well, one I love very much is taking percocet (sp) along with things to make them sleep, things to make them awake....they get irritable very easily, runs out before their next script is to be filled, and when they do, they get sick and just lay in bed, hurting.
I don't question the hurting, but the meds are ruining their health and life, and blames other things (me)for certain situations. And if they see this thread, they'll get mad about this.
They need help, but they have to see that too.
What a **** mess.
Sounds like a problem to me BUT...
Right now it's only a concern/problem for YOU.
It's not a problem to the other person until THEY admit/say it is.
YOU should get advice from professionals on how best to proceed from here.