It happens. My daughter's mother-in-law stole some of hers!

Craziness. We don't just have this meds because we want them....we need them!

I do try to keep my meds put away when people are over. I guess it's a pretty big temptation for some people. Personally I hate taking pain meds and generally hold out until no alternative.

Same here...I try not to take them so I do end up with "extras" each month. Not sure I'd know if a few were missing or not.

I'll definitely be putting mine out of sight now.

Send them to me - I have some they can have .....

Attitude about pilfering of meds

I had a friend ask me if she could have some of mine. That was awkward...

Speaking from this side of addiction, it's not surprising. My daughter had surgery and my husband dispensed her meds and locked them up. My vice was pain meds and sedatives. I had been clean for just a couple months when those came in the house and pretty much stayed with friends while the meds were in the house. You mind does not function correctly once it's been corrupted by addiction. I've even had MY secret stash broken into by someone with worse issues than I had. The psychological pain often outweighs any logical thinking.

You would be very surprised who is an addict and who doesn't realize it. My mom was aware for many years and was not shocked when I finally crashed. SHE knew, I didn't. Once I did and starting logging my thoughts and keeping record of activities it was overwhelmingly clear how irrational my thinking was.

My advice, if you have people coming over that know you have meds... keep them locked up. Put away is not always good enough. Especially if there are teenagers tagging along for a visit.

Eeek...maybe I should get a lock box for them. In reality we don't have a lot of people coming and going from our house but I'll be aware of it now for sure.

Thanks for sharing your story Krimzyn. Kuddos to you for facing you addiction. I've never had an addiction of that nature, nor I have really been exposed to one. I do worry about it though, which is probably why I try not to take pain meds.

yes has happened ..while during a small party we had for halloween....now i hide ANYTHING ..if i have someone in the house for any period of time ...better safe then sorry ..alos at a hotel my husband takes zanax to fly ...someone took his entire bottle ...later there were alot of happy hotel staff walking around (not sure why but have a good idea )

My daughter's neighbor was caught on video cam sneaking into another neighbor's home and stealing pain meds. The guy had the neighbor's key, because he was trusted to watch their house when they were out of town. Seemed like a nice guy, married father of three. Professional type, with an addiction. Video cam was set up, when the homeowner became suspicious. You hate to not be able to trust those around you, but it does happen.

This has been a complete eye opener. Even when the twins (boys) were in high school I never thought about locking up the meds. Many many kids, adults (and some adults that act like kids) have been in the house. I've had jewelry go missing but not meds. Now I'm wondering if a few pills here and there have been missing and I just didn't realize it. Ugh.

Hi RCross this is an interesting thread and as you have said I would not think of putting away my meds for that reason, but more so to put them up so that nosey folks are not looking at the medications that I am on. When we are having a BBQ or party with a lot of people, I will put my bottles of meds up for the above reason and will put my jewelry away as well. This was we don't have to wonder or be upset when something is missing. That's not good when you have to be careful that folks will steal your pain medication. I do believe this is one reason why doctors have become reluctant to write pain medication prescriptions as there are so many people addicted to them and the companies that dispense pain medication make it so difficult for us to obtain our medication. I have been waiting two weeks for my scripts for Nucenta and Butrans. I now have one more Butrans patch left for 7 days to be placed on. Maybe the refill will be here by next week. I am being told by the company that the medications that are narcotics have to go through a process before being dispensed. Ugh.. yet another pain.

Krim, my hat off to you. Takes a strong person to acknowledge & overcome. Addiction does not discriminate. You simply never know.
Anytime I've had the need for any meds that may tempt another they are under lock & key.
I have a busy household at times & I would not take the chance.
Once upon a time I was a very naive person until chronic pain entered my life.
I've heard enough horror stories to learn from.
Sammy

Am surprised. It is the 'friend' bit more than anything. I had a young British traveller and her Dutch boyfriend staying here once. I couldnt be here but had promised them a place to stay and my husband was ok to have them. They stole gold jewellery. You are not covered by insurance here if invited guests steal stuff.

With the meds I wonder if it was cost made the person steal? It is sad but if the "thief gene" or whatever it is in there, it is there. A lot of people wouldnt even steal a paper clip from the office desk.

But think it is a good idea to keep meds of all types - eg for pets - out of sight and, if children around, in locked or security door cabinets.

I do agree with the lock and key bit. I have a small home and someone is always in the kitchen when we have company, cooking and preparing each course. But I guess that would be the best thing for us who need meds do is to put stuff up. Camba you are right when you mention cost. My younger son the 23 year old just mentioned to me that some of his acquaintances (and we live in an affluent neighborhood, but it does not matter where one lives) have sold prescription medications. Apparently there is money in this prescription drug selling business. That is why laws are becoming stricter now-a-days as far as narcotics is concerned. I of course went over the dangers of young folks doing that and how someone could get killed and how it is so not worth it on both parts. RCross thanks for starting this thread.