Morphine addiction

[blissfulllife]

I'm so very worried about my sister. She's had back problems for a number of years, she's told me degenerative disc disease. Coped well on cocodamol.

In recent years she's had some serious marriage problems and I know she's unhappy. As she's become increasingly unhappy she's complained more and more about being in pain. More tests were done but her scans were coming back with no more deterioration in her condition. She gave up her job saying she physically couldn't cope anymore. She would be in the docs weekly begging for meds till an older doctor eventually prescribed her morphine. Morphine really helped her she would say.

I've the couple of years that she's been on this we've noticed her lose a drastic amount of weight, she's drawn pale a lethargic constantly now. She's hardly leaves her home. Gets up in the morning sees her family off to school and work, takes a dose of morphine then sleeps all day.

I'm not convinced her back is as bad as she makes out if I'm honest, she forgets sometimes and does things like runs up the stairs or lifts something heavy. I think it was quite painful once but now she's reliant on this drug to blot out her marriage.

She's now running out of morphine before the next prescription is due. And taking dangerous amounts of Codeine till she can get her hands on some more morphine. She's withdrawing badly in between but insisting it's flu. The runs, shaking, sweating and constant sneezing.

She won't accept she's got a problem and insists she's in agony and can't live without it. I'm so angry at her doctor for allowing her to take thus drug long term.

Any ideas on what I can do to help her. Her bloody husband doesn't care in fact it feels like he encourages her to take more and more. Her children are suffering and will end up having social involved!

[inasituation87]

Hi op . I'm sorry you haven't had any replies . I am kind of in the same situation as your sister . I take codeine to help me cope . I am trying to stop . Your sister will need to want to help herself before you or anyone can try and help her unfortunately 😭. Have you ever mentioned that you think she might be addicted to them to her ? Xxx

[blissfulllife]

I have and she knows she's addicted but insists she's in terrible pain. But then forgets and starts dancing or something.

Thank you for replying x

[Mner2000]

adfam might be a good source of help as they support families of those with addictions...

[Jade1976]

I think you should confront her OP. Say you know, offer to help her. You could also threaten to tell her dr. Good luck.

[PurpleFrames]

She will be in agony when she's withdrawing OP. Although it's hard to believe a small dose will make a huge difference to her. She definitely sounds addicted. I hope she can get the support from Narcotics Anonymous or your local drug and alcohol service- there's no shame addiction can affect anyone and the kids won't be removed x

[Madein1995]

I'm so sorry op. I was majorly addicted to dihydrocodeine and I know how hard it is. There is support out there, for example services could prescribe substitute meds eg methadone or suboxone, and give her anti inflammatory things for any pain she actually has. Theres also online na and family anonymous meetings, contsxt me if you want details. Hope you all the best x