(19F) I think my mom is addicted to prescription medication and I don't know what to do?

[Anonymous]

She's always saying "I'm on so many medications" and I always just nod like "I guess she just has a lot of health problems." She's always moody, she gets sick a lot, and she's always having surgeries. Just got her gallbladder removed two days ago. The other day my dad was accidentally shipped two of her medications to his office. One of them was for seizures and muscle spasms, and one was for high blood pressure... and it clearly said it on the bottle. She doesn't get either of those. In fact she has low blood pressure. My dad's trying to find the other ones... but we're kinda freaked out. She makes all the excuses in the world and we don't really know what's going on. Advice?

[unknownforever]

Firstly, I am so sorry you and your dad are going through this. It is both terrifying and confusing. I will do my best to help as my mum is extremely addicted to prescription medicine. I don't want to scare you at all, but I want to bring my mums story in hopes it'll help and for you nd your dad to don things differently. My mum has always loved using drugs, but stopped after having two children. Then a "health issue" came about, and someone told her to try this certain medicine. Ever since then, she has become addicted and started deteriorating. It is such a horrible sight. My mum has reached the point where she cannot be saved unless she wasn't the help, but she is stubborn and won't admit she is addicted. She has overdosed before and almost died. No one wants to help, not even the police, paramedics or anyone else. Confronting your mum may bnot be the best idea. She may be in denial and believe there are no problems. Your dad should be the first one to step up and talk with your mum. If it doesn't work, you should be the next one to talk with her. Say how it concerns you and you just want your mum to be healthy. Tell her about all the plans you have. If it still doesn't work, then you can try this (but it might backfire). Talk with your dad about this to see if he will be on board so you don't get in trouble. But, you could pretend to start using "substances" and having your mum find it. When she confronts you about it and is angry, you can say how she said it was fine and you thought it would help. She is your role model. So if she is able to see the "effect it is having on you", she may want to make changes. If this still doesn't work, maybe it's time to talk with her doctor. I know myself and my family have done this, but it is too late and now doctors can't do anything. I wish you the best of luck. I'm here for you.

[NZGirl07]

It is easy to get addicted to medications prescribed by doctors. It is possibly that if she has had a lot of procedures that she got addicted to some of the medications. I think you and your dad could discuss having an intervention with her. Sit her down and discuss what you guys found out, say you aren't judging her but are concerned for her health, and that she could suffer serious health issues from this. Also joining a support group for family members of addicts could give you support/advice.

[NZGirl07]

*possible

[Wise4myage]

Try to convince her to check into a rehab center.