There is a lot of argument on issues such as this - obviously there are some medical conditions that need the use of narcotics for treatment, those are some powerful ones - what i've done as a cross addict myself, is when I am going to be issued pain or other types of meds, I have either told the doctor, dentist, etc that I am a recovering addict - and to issue the least dose as possible, I also use the same pharmacy, which I've revealed the smae information to them and it's flagged for narcotic prescriptions -to have a "consult" with the pharmacist. i also VERY SELDOM get the entire prescription filled at one time - i may get a day or two at one time to make sure I take as directed. There have been times that I've not gone back for the entire prescription - now days - prescriptions expire -

It's also hard to question someone elses sobriety - on if we feel they are sober or not doing whatever it is they are doing -that truly makes us lose focus on our own sobriety and begin to find "justifications" for ourselves.

now from what've know - oxycontin and percocet are common with people trying to recover from intrevenous use - i.e. heronie - and turn to methadone for help - but again - that's where we find ourselves questioning other's sobriety adn motives when we should be focused on our own.

Someone who is very hip on this is Nodp2day (Jim) you can find him here in this group and the alcoholism group - he may have some good insight for you on this question.

It's sorta hard if she is truly ill and being treated by a licensed physician and taking the medication as prescribed, but as all "drug" addicts know prescription drugs are addicting and many times people in NA are prescription drug addicts -

i am sure this answered none of your questions - lol- I am sorry -

Peace!

I've gone to quite a few meetings and they are not for me. She watches me like a hawk with my drinking.
I married her brother in 1970 but I came to know the family in 1964. She was 8 years old. We have all been through a lot in these years. I know she can be very manipulative so I think I know the answer to my own question. I guess what I really wish to know is why she hasn't told her doctors she is an addict. And we will never know if she was even diagnosed with these diseases as she is an extremely energetic person running all over the place. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. Peace to you also.

tough question Deb. Many factors. Two are for pain relief and one (xanax) is used mainly to treat depression and anxiety disorders. I guess it comes down to what your definition of sober is. If she is taking as prescribed and not a doped up zombie I would say yes she is sober. If she is abusing the drugs and addicted, well that is another story. All three of those drugs can be addictive is my understanding and she needs to be careful. Sorry to hear you relapsed but good to see you posting again...been a while. Hope you stick around and say hi more often.

Thanks Rick, Yes, I'm going to try to be here more often. We have had an awful time of it lately. My husbands younger brother died of lung cancer and it was a long vigil at Yale New Haven Hosp. We still can't believe it's true. I will need to talk to someone who isn't in this family otherwise I will lose my mind. Hope to talk to you. Right now, I'm off to bed. Night!

Deb we are all here to share - all things - please keep coming back.

Peace!