DesertEyes

Hello there Photogirl, and welcome to SoberRecovery

I'm sorry to hear that your Mom is addicted to pills. It's a horrid addiction and the damage it does to the entire family is overwhelming. My Mom was addicted to booze, and added pills in her later years.

That's very common. They call those "periodic addicts". It doesn't matter _what_ they take, or how much, or how often. What matters is what it does to their lives.

Same over here. That's called a "boundary", when you establish some form of protection for yourself and your family from the behavior of the addict.

Actually there is. A lot in fact. The catch is that it's not the obvious things that are helpful. The first step is to educate yourself on this whole disease, and a great place to do that is in the forum "next door".

Friends and Family of Substance Abusers - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

This thread is particularly good

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...l-problem.html

Especially read the "sticky posts" at the top of the forum. Next, find a meeting of al-anon or nar-anon in your area. You can find them in your phone book or here

How to find a meeting in the US/Canada/Puerto Rico

When you go to a meeting check out their literature. They have the best books and pamphlets on the subject.

That will keep you busy for a few days Along the way you will hear how other people are dealing with the addiction in their loved ones, and what approaches work and which do not. From all of that you will begin to select ideas that fit your particular situation. If you have questions just post them here or in the family forum "next door".

I'm glad you decided to join us.

Mike