Discovered today GF is an addict.. need help

[tihash]

I have been with my gf for 18 months. Before we met, she was in a car accident and she has multiple herniated and bulged discs in her neck and back. She had been prescribed Ultram and Percocet as needed for the pain.

I never noticed any problems for the first 6 months. Around that time, I lost my job and was under a lot of stress. She then became depressed, I think because of the stress. As I look back, I think that is when her substance abuse began in earnest.

A friend of hers recently was in a car accident, and has been prescribed several pain medications. Her friend came to me today and told me that my gf, after learning she was being prescribed pain meds, offered to buy the meds from her. My gf apparantly has also been "doctor shopping" to get more Rx's and also "pharmacy shopping" and getting Rx's filled from Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens, etc. She also has been buying Ultram from the internet. Apparently, she is taking way more than any doctor has been prescribing to her.

Her friend came to me after the final straw, which was my gf offered to pick up the friend's prescription because the friend was in a lot of pain. Apparently my gf kept the pills, never gave them to her friend, and now is offering to pay her for them. Not what the copay was-- but pay her street price.

My gf, when I confront her, is going to go ballistic, deny all of it, dump me (at least temporaily), and maybe even threaten suicide if I tell her mom about this. She will say she only takes the amount prescribed. She will say her back and neck pain is unbearable. She will say, "You saw the MRI films! You saw the doctor's report!" And that is true, she really does have a messed up neck/back and is undoubtedly in pain from it. Since she is 26, surgery is not the first option. But I am convinced she is abusing the meds. Her friend showed me the text messages proving my gf offered to buy her meds from her, etc.

How do I handle this?

PS-- her friend told me my gf wanted either Percocet, Ultram, or Klonopin. My gf also apparaently admitted to the friend she used to take Ultram recreationally in college (pre-car accident)

[Alera]

Stop by the Friends and Family of Substance Abusers forum here. I think you might get some good answers to your questions.

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...tance-abusers/

[sleepyhead]

I would recommend calling Al-Anon. I'm an addict and have been addicted to pain pills because of a back injury and because I have the addict gene. It creeps up. Remember why you fell in love and that she isn't in her right mind. It alters so many parts of one's personality and we start scheming and lying to reach the high. You'll learn how to help her at meetings. Patience is key. Keep us posted....

[Spiritual Seeker]

You can't be her savior.

[t_a_n_y_a_]

You cant help her until she acknowledges a problem and wants to help herself. Even then....she may still continue her habit. Your in a tough situation. I think with her frame of mind right now there isn't too much you can do if she won't admit to having a problem