Are these symptoms of prescription drug dependence?

Question by swanda: Are these symptoms of prescription drug dependence?
A friend of mine has been in and out of the emergency room for a little over a year now. When she first started, I didn’t think much of it because it was maybe twice in three months (and she is accident prone in general)..but this past year, especially these past few months, I’ve noticed her increasing visits. I could easily say that she’s been at least 7 or 8 times in the past 3 or 4 months. She rarely goes into detail about her ‘injuries’ these days, and always mentions the medications the doctors give her. It’s to the point now that she’s even gone in because of a headache, only to walk out with a prescription of something like valium or codeine. She’s also been using the various meds to help her sleep at night and is on something just about every time I talk to her.
She has a lot of anxiety problems and claims that this is the only thing that helps her. Do these seem like signs she has an addiction? If so, what would be the best way to help her?
Thanks to all who have answered so far. As for the negative side to this, she hasn’t been able to hold a job due to hospital visits and has actually mentioned going through withdrawal once, though I don’t remember what it was from exactly.
I actually have chronic headaches, so I do understand how one could go to the emergency room for that..but with her it seemed suspicious when added to her other injuries (bumping her knee, thinking she was coming down with something multiple times but it really wasn’t anything..she actually told me that docs couldn’t find anything wrong with her, and thinking that she’s broken more than one bone). It is possible that she could just be very accident prone and that her injuries are real..it’s just beginning to worry me. I don’t want to accuse her of anything, so the advice to ask her questions first is very helpful. If anyone has any more insight, I would greatly appreciate it.

Best answer:

Answer by Dan
It sounds like she has an ulterior motive, but no one could be sure over the internet. You don’t get dependent on drugs after 7-8 doses in 3-4 months, but that’s not to say she isn’t [ab]using them occasionally.

If you can get through to her in a non-judgemental way, maybe inform her that by seeing a psychiatrist she could get meds that work legally? When seeing psychs though, she would need to accept that benzos (such as Valium) may not be the best option, and that no one gets opioids (like codeine) for anxiety.

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