February 10, 2012
Topics A-Z Drugs Drug Addicted Family Member
Drug Addicted Family Member |
|
Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, my name is Jennifer & my question is this.... My mom is addicted to NORCO-VICODIN HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN ,Ambien, & Valums it's pretty bad. She say's it's for her servre arthritis pain & also her migrans. My mom says have been taking these for about 20 years but, I had found a million reciept from alot of doctors for prescriptions & visits in the last 2 years. Does she honestly have to take this drug for the rest of her life, like she says? Please tell me that there has got to be a natural way to help her pain. I know she should exercise & she don't,she doesn't eat right, doesn't get out of bed til about 2pm, hasn't had a job for the past 10-15 years, very depressed. And now my dad just OD off of the Norcos,& Methadones & now is in the ICU since last saturday. And he's had Hypetitis C for 20 yrs. Even though I know she says she's not addicted I know in my heart she is. They both go to this place in the desert b/c somebody told them they can get any kind of druds they want there & there real cheap. I have just one more question for you. How do I report the clinic in the desert? Do I make a police report or do I call the FDA? All I do know is that this place in the desert has to go down!!!! Please Help Me Now!!!Thank you so much!!! Dear Jennifer: From your description, your parents are displaying symptoms of a prescription drug addiction. Unfortunately, there is likely little you can do until your parents admit to their problem and seek help on their own or they commit a crime forcing the authorities to become involved. Medical doctors do not have the power to force someone to undergo rehabilitation. Unfortunately, It is not a crime to make bad choices. The medication they are abusing may have been initially medically prescribed but they are likely being used now for reasons not medically intended. The classic symptom of this is seeking multiple doctors for the same medication and obtaining it at multiple pharmacies. One option is to make the medical clinics and pharmacies aware of the situation but drug addicts will quickly find alternative options. The place in the desert is likely not a medical clinic but if it is and you suspect medical negligence, the appropriate authorities to call with be your local state or provincial licencing authority. If you have been put in harm by your parents behavior and wish to press charges, then the police would be the appropriate authorities to call. There are no no natural alternatives to replace the effects your parents are receiving from prescription drugs. In abuse situation, pain medications relieve pain but also trigger addiction centers in the brain and create a "high" that users attempt to recreate with each use. |
|
| Last Updated ( Monday, 25 January 2010 ) |
|
|
|
|
Print Article
Email