Our Aging Parents

"If only I'd known ... I would have done things differently!"

  • Home
    • Definitions
      • Definitions – A
      • Definitions – B
      • Definitions – C
      • Definitions – D
      • Definitions E – F
      • Definitions – G
      • Definitions – H
      • Definitions – I
      • Definitions J – L
      • Definitions M – N
      • Definitions O – P
      • Definitions Q – R
      • Definitions – S
      • Definitions T – Z
  • Caregiving Basics
    • From Chaos to Confidence
      • Are Your Elderly Parents In Denial?
      • How to Communicate Effectively with Your Elderly Parent
      • “How to …” Videos
    • Biggest Mistakes
      • In the Blink of an Eye
      • How to Find Your “Me” Time
      • Tips for Sandwich Parents
    • How to Talk with Your Parent about …
      • Driving
        • Senior Transportation
      • Their Health
      • Advance Directives
      • Their Money
    • Money | Legal
      • Before It’s Too Late
      • Scams That Target Seniors
      • Missing Legal Papers
      • Social Security
        • Social Security – More Short Stories
      • Old, Frail and Evicted
      • Patient Privacy Rules
      • Who Else Inherits
    • Home Is …
      • Aging at Home
        • Home Alone – Are They OK?
        • Unfriendly Granny Flats
      • Assisted Living
      • Nursing Home
      • Memory Care
    • Support Group
      • How to Participate
    • Caregiver Bookshelf
  • Alzheimer’s | Dementia
    • Alzheimer’s Is …
    • The Seven Stages
    • Worried About Alzheimer’s?
    • Your Odds of Getting Alzheimer’s
    • Is It Alzheimer’s? … or Something Curable?
    • Is It Alzheimer’s? … or Dementia?
    • What Is It Like To Have Alzheimer’s?
      • Their World vs Our World
      • Agitation – A Natural Consequence of Alzheimer’s?
      • My Elderly Dad Really Hates Me
    • Symptoms
    • Quick Tips
      • Alzheimer’s Tip #20
  • Toxic Parents
    • Addicted to Pain Medications
    • Alcoholics
    • Narcissists
      • How to Deal with a Toxic Mother
      • Confessions of a Narcissist
    • Set Boundaries for Toxic Parents, Partners and Siblings
    • How to Divorce Your Abusive Parent
  • Health | Medical
    • Medicare Basics
      • Medicare Part B Premium and Deductibles for 2021
      • FAQs, Tips & Nasty Surprises
    • Symptoms Not to Ignore
      • Alzheimer’s
      • Aphasia
      • Cardiac Arrest
      • Dehydration
      • Delirium
      • Depression
      • Falls
      • Hallucinations
      • Heart Attack
      • My Toes Are Cold!
      • Pneumonia
      • Strokes and Mini-Strokes (TIAs)
      • Swallowing Problems
      • Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
    • Drug Interactions and Side Effects
  • More Resources
    • Caregivers Ask …
    • Free eBooks
    • Checklists
    • Organizers
  • About
    • About Me
    • My Story
    • My 2¢
    • Testimonials
Home » Is Mom Addicted to Pain Medications?

Is Mom Addicted to Pain Medications?


It’s so easy to become accidentally addicted to pain medication; it happens before anyone realizes it.


In 2006, my lower back pain had become so intense that it extended all the way down the back of both my thighs, through my calves and down to my heels. Since non-invasive therapy didn’t work in 2005, my only option was surgery.

The surgery was successful, but it took nearly two years to fully recover because it was so extensive. During the first nine months, my doctor prescribed an opioid-based pain killer to reduce my pain to a more tolerable level.

Then, he wouldn’t prescribe it any more.

I nearly panicked — I was very afraid that my pain would intensify. But, I decided to try to wean myself off of it.

I had enough pills left from my last refill that I cut them in half for about a week. Then, I cut the halves in half for another week. Finally, I cut the quarters in half for my final week.

During this process, I was quite surprised that not only did my pain not increase, but also that I did not have any withdrawal symptoms. I’m safe — or so I thought — as I took my last tiny pill.

A few days later, I finally began to experience withdrawal symptoms. Fortunately, they lasted for only four or five days, even though they were very uncomfortable at the time. And, despite my earlier denials, I had to admit that I had been addicted.

About two years ago, a friend had virtually the same surgery. But, because techniques had improved over the preceding eight years, hers was only minimally invasive compared to my four-inch incision. And, her recovery was shorter because fewer muscle tissues had to be cut.

But, she did experience the same chronic pain and was prescribed the same opioid-based pain medication that I was.

The difference was that, when it came time to quit, she panicked — and, in her mind, her pain increased, substantially. Then, because her doctor refused to renew her prescription, she began “doctor-shopping,” that is, going from doctor to doctor until she found one who would prescribe a stronger medication.

Sadly, shortly after that, she stopped calling, and we haven’t been able to get in touch with her. Why? We don’t know. It might have been because she was already depressed when she had her procedure; perhaps the depression and pain worked together to make her pain worse. Or, perhaps she began to need ever-stronger relief and turned to heroin because it’s now so cheap. We hope that’s not the case.

The point is — it is easy to get hooked — to become addicted — without even knowing it. In fact, nearly three fourths of all opioid addicts will move from the prescription drugs to heroin.

What should you be on the lookout for with your parent?

A person’s behavior, especially changes in behavior, can signal a possible problem. In the case of prescription medications, a family member or friend may notice, for example, that an older adult seems worried about whether a medication is “really working,” or complains that a doctor refuses to write a prescription. He or she may have new problems doing everyday tasks or withdraw from family, friends, and normal activities.

Other warning signs of a substance abuse problem or addiction, may include

  • mood swings
  • rapid increases in the amount of medication needed
  • frequent requests for refills of certain medicines
  • a person not seeming like themselves (showing a general lack of interest or being overly energetic)
  • “doctor shopping” (moving from provider to provider in an effort to get several prescriptions for the same medication)
  • use of more than one pharmacy

What’s Next? Treating Substance Abuse


We welcome your comments.

About Mike Gamble

Mike is a former family caregiver with a passion for improving the Quality of Life for Older Adults and Family Caregivers.

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Sign Up for Email Updates

Topics

  • Addiction
  • Advance Directives
  • Aging at Home
  • Alcoholic Parents
  • Alzheimer's
  • Alzhimer's
  • Assisted Living
  • Biggest Mistakes
  • Caregivers' Bookshelf
  • Caregivers Ask
  • Caregiving Basics
  • Checklists & Worksheets
  • Communication
  • Definitions
  • Dementia
  • Elderly Drivers
  • Explanations of Terms
  • Fitness | Frailty
  • Free eBooks
  • Granny Flats
  • Health | Medical
  • Heart Attack
  • Home Is ...
  • How to...
  • Living Will
  • Medicare
  • Medicare - Quick Tips
  • Memory Care
  • Money | Legal
  • My 2¢
  • Narcissists
  • Nursing Homes
  • Organizers
  • Pain
  • Personal Safety
  • Power of Attorney
  • Quick Tips – Alzheimer's
  • Quick Tips – Money
  • Scams
  • Senior Care
  • Senior Living Options
  • Senior Transportation
  • Social Security
  • Support Group
  • Symptoms
  • Testimonials
  • Together We Can
  • Toxic Parents
  • Universal Design

By using our website, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Home | Disclosures and Relationships | Contact

Copyright © 2000-2021 · Our Aging Parents · All rights reserved.

wpDiscuz

Cookies

We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site, we will assume that you agree to our use of cookies. Your Privacy