I think my friend is addicted to pain killers?

Question by bones: I think my friend is addicted to pain killers?
I have a friend, 27 yrs old, female, and I’m not completely sure, but I think she may be addicted to pain killers. Over the last few years, she has been complaining of frequent and persistent migraine headaches. She has been to numerous doctors and has had loads of tests, but the doctors have never been able to give her a definite diagnosis. She does take several prescription drugs currently. I think a couple of different anti depressants, blood pressure meds, and also hydrocodone. But she says that none of them really help. So she takes several of the pain killers everyday along with ibuprofen, etc, and runs out of pain killers before the month is up and can’t get them refilled.

So she ends up going to the emergency room several times a month to get injections of phenigrine (dont know how to spell that). Several doctors won’t even see her in their office anymore because they think she is just trying to get drugs. Also, she will “borrow” pills from anyone she can get them from, and buy them from people, trade drugs, borrow money, etc. And she’s very secretive about it, and hides it from her husband. Also, she has all the signs and symptoms of an addict.

I have spoken to her several times about this and voiced my concerns and offered to help her any way I can. But she insists that she does not have an addiction, and that she is just in so much constant pain, even though the doctors can’t find anything wrong with her, she really needs the pills just to make it through the day. And she swears that even though no one believes her, she does not have a problem. Everyone who knows her is worried about her.

I know an addict probably wouldn’t admit they had a problem, but what I want to know is if there is a chance she is being honest. Is it very likely she’s telling the truth? I want to help her, but I don’t want to lose a friend by falsely accusing her of things. I’m suppose to be her best friend and trust when she is telling me something. If I come out and say that I think she has a drug problem, she could potentially lose her husband and children. I would hate myself if that happened because of me. But I would also hate myself if something happened to one of her small kids because she was too messed up to take care of them.

I don’t know what to do, or how to do it without losing my friend, and possibly hurting her whole family. Please give advice on what I should do, and how.

Best answer:

Answer by pelican
She may be telling the truth about the pain, but that does not mean that she could not also be addicted. If I were you, I would talk to her husband about it and see what he thinks. The two of you together may be able to get to the bottom of it and see what you can do. A good friend takes care of a friend, even if it might mean making that friend angry.

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