Illness / pain as an excuse for using??
Hi all, Does anyone have a relative who uses illness or pain as their excuse for abusing RX drugs? And how do you handle this without coming across as uncaring?
My mom is an alcoholic, and I think she also abuses her Oxycontin prescription.
She claims that she is in constant pain, and needs to take high doses of Oxycontin as a result.
She DOES have a painful illness - however she doesn't show any signs of pain on her current dose - she can talk, laugh, etc - doesn't grimace or hold her breath, moan, clench fists, sweat or anything. She seems fine.... Yet she claims she is constantly in severe pain!
Anyway, she takes extra Oxycontin in combination with alcohol until she regularly passes out/ hallucinates/ talks rubbish.
Does anyone else have a relative or friend who uses illness or pain as an excuse for using?
And if so, I'd be grateful for any advice on handling this.
Thanks all.