Annoyed at family

[Colleen27]

They are definitely still prescribing them like candy around these parts. I had surgery and was given 30 percocets but I didn't take them so still have the bottle. DH got back-to-back surgeries a few months ago and got 60 percocets PER SURGERY but also only took a few, so we have a ton of them here. I was really surprised at how many they gave us.

Here too. The addict relative I mentioned has been in recovery for a while and still has doctors try to give him opiate pain killers despite informing them of his history (I am close to the person who accompanies him to his appointments to help him stay on track, so I know that's actual truth not addict-spin). We had a selection of serious painkillers left over from various injuries or dental work DH had over the years before I dropped it all off at the pharmacy for disposal - he'd need 1 or 2 but the prescription would be for 30. He has an outpatient surgery tomorrow; I'll bet he comes home with at least 30 of some heavy-duty pain killer (and I'm just as certain he'll take one or two before switching to Motrin because he's sick of feeling loopy). And it seems like more of my teens' friends than not are prescribed some sort of every day med for anxiety, ADHD, or depression, though most don't like to take them as prescribed and most of those medications have some recreational market.

 

[aprilgail]

They are definitely still prescribing them like candy around these parts. I had surgery and was given 30 percocets but I didn't take them so still have the bottle. DH got back-to-back surgeries a few months ago and got 60 percocets PER SURGERY but also only took a few, so we have a ton of them here. I was really surprised at how many they gave us.

Same here! I had really infected abscess tooth and after they pulled it they were sending me home with a script for painkillers, I said "can you just write it out for 2 of them because I won't take more than 1 or 2 no matter what because I don't like pain pills" I go to fill it and come home with 30 freaking pills. I took one and the rest got dropped off at the police station for disposal.

 

[sonnyjane]

Here too. The addict relative I mentioned has been in recovery for a while and still has doctors try to give him opiate pain killers despite informing them of his history (I am close to the person who accompanies him to his appointments to help him stay on track, so I know that's actual truth not addict-spin). We had a selection of serious painkillers left over from various injuries or dental work DH had over the years before I dropped it all off at the pharmacy for disposal - he'd need 1 or 2 but the prescription would be for 30. He has an outpatient surgery tomorrow; I'll bet he comes home with at least 30 of some heavy-duty pain killer (and I'm just as certain he'll take one or two before switching to Motrin because he's sick of feeling loopy). And it seems like more of my teens' friends than not are prescribed some sort of every day med for anxiety, ADHD, or depression, though most don't like to take them as prescribed and most of those medications have some recreational market.

Sorry to thread jack OP, but it's hard for me to understand this. My brother has gone to jail repeatedly for possession and sale of these stupid pills (luckily we live 2,000 miles from each other so I'm not worried about him getting ours). The reason I didn't take them after my procedures is that they just didn't do anything for me! Vicodin, Percocet, morphine... Nothing helped the pain and so I told myself if nothing would help then I'd rather not take them (they have *crappy* side effects lol). I guess the appeal is if you take a lot of them, especially with alcohol, but it is something I can't relate to. I've been told the pills can sell for $10-$20 each!

I'm sorry OP. I find it very brazen that they took them from the daily pill box. That first shows me that they knew exactly what they were looking for (as opposed to finding a medicine bottle with a label) which means this probably isn't their first rendezvous with that drug.

 

[book_junkie]

It's not just the narcotics, either. Anxiety meds, insomnia meds, ADHD meds, antidepressants, and a lot of other things now have to have or will have to have "hard scripts" - written prescriptions- from the doctor for pharmacies to fill them. Electronic won't work.

 

[bethy]

OP, you are not over reacting and are right to feel violated. We had the exact same thing happen in our family over Christmas with houseguests 4 years ago. In the end, it ripped our entire family apart. Drug addiction can be a devastating illness with a very far reaching and unpredictable ripple effect.

After 4 years of extended family misery my advice to you is to live and learn and act accordingly in the future. Figure out what your personal boundaries are. Educate yourself a little on the subject of addiction. Then move on.

Nothing you say to anyone else (besides advising everyone to lock up their meds) will do ANYTHING. When it comes to addition words are completely meaningless - from any involved party.

 

[roseaster]

In 2014 there were more deaths from overdoses on prescription pain medications than all street drugs combined. It is one of the biggest epidemics in the U.S. Most people who abuse heroin started out as prescription pain medicine abusers, and when their habit became too expensive they resorted to heroin.

Oxycontin is sold on the street for approximately $1 a milligram.

Unfortunately for the OP she will probably not be able to get a few extra pills to "tide her over" without filing a police report, especially if her medication is prescribed by a pain management doctor.

OP, unfortunately, there probably isn't anything you can do, but I wouldn't sit silent about it, and I wouldn't play coy. I would send out a group email or text to everyone that was at your home stating that 8 of your pain pills, and only pain pills were missing. Tell them that it is obvious that the the person or persons that took them knew exactly what they were. Tell them that you will be left in pain and possibly withdrawal because of their actions, That you are hurt, angry, and disappointed that a family member would abuse your trust and your home in such a way, and that you sincerely hope that the person who did this seeks help, or if anyone reading this knows who did it they encourage that person to seek help.

From now on lock up narcotics.

 

[jdb in AZ]

It's not just the narcotics, either. Anxiety meds, insomnia meds, ADHD meds, antidepressants, and a lot of other things now have to have or will have to have "hard scripts" - written prescriptions- from the doctor for pharmacies to fill them. Electronic won't work.

DH had to renew a narcotic prescription and the dr's office Xeroxed the form. It had a hand-signed signature but the pharmacy wouldn't accept it. Sad that the world has come to this.

When we returned home from vacation last week DH noticed some of his percosetts were missing. He can't prove anything, and hopes he's mistaken, but we suspect one of the teenage boys of the family who was taking care of the dog and bringing in the mail. The locks on our house were changed a year ago and those neighbors are the only ones with a spare key. Next time we go anywhere DH will be sure to hide the narcotics.

 

[dbrn]

Just out of curiosity, OP, where did you have the med box stored, and how did the extended family know you would have something "worth" taking? Were they easily accessible to everyone, or did they go into your room or private bathroom and search for them? That would be even worse, to me. I wouldn't be inviting that part of the family back any time soon.

I think the idea of a blanket, concerned email is a good one, as well as the suggestion to check with parents if there were any children present.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. I know the misery of having pain and not having the necessary medication to relieve it. I also know the disappointment of finding out someone I trusted couldn't be trusted at all.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't understand. You have a "month box" with the pills you need to take for each day. It was presumably filled. After your family left, you noticed that 8 pills (of a certain type) were missing. Do you have other types of pills that these were mixed with? Only the narcotics were taken? Only SOME of the narcotics were taken? Where was the pill box? I just don't see how/why someone would only take 8 pills when there were more available.

 

[eliza61]

There are plenty of prescription meds that are addictive and/or used recreationally and therefore valuable. DS has a friend who recently got into serious trouble for selling her adderall to other teens, and the heroin addict in our family got his start on prescription opiates (first his own, then stolen or illegally purchased, including some vicodin DH had leftover from a dental procedure).

Not only prescription. Have you guys notice that if you buy OTC's with psuedophedrine in them that they are now behind the counter and you can only buy so much at at time?
The ingredients in them are used to make Meth and addicts where setting up Meth labs from common OTC drugs.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not only prescription. Have you guys notice that if you buy OTC's with psuedophedrine in them that they are now behind the counter and you can only buy so much at at time?
The ingredients in them are used to make Meth and addicts where setting up Meth labs from common OTC drugs.

Plus you have to show your ID to buy them. It's crazy. I felt so shady buying Sudafed for my son when he had a respiratory illness recently. But the other stuff they have come up with to replace it is just junk.

 

[mom2rtk]

And I guess addicts know what they are looking for, but it strikes me as odd that someone would steal specific pills out of a box. Those aren't labeled like they are in prescription bottles. And different generics have different looks.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I don't understand. You have a "month box" with the pills you need to take for each day. It was presumably filled. After your family left, you noticed that 8 pills (of a certain type) were missing. Do you have other types of pills that these were mixed with? Only the narcotics were taken? Only SOME of the narcotics were taken? Where was the pill box? I just don't see how/why someone would only take 8 pills when there were more available.

Because they hoped she wouldn't notice. If she takes several pills a day from the same "window" of the case, I expect the person was hoping she'd just grab them and not count them, especially if they took them from a few random days throughout the month. I expect they are hoping to be able to use this "source" again.

 

[cabanafrau]

I don't understand. You have a "month box" with the pills you need to take for each day. It was presumably filled. After your family left, you noticed that 8 pills (of a certain type) were missing. Do you have other types of pills that these were mixed with? Only the narcotics were taken? Only SOME of the narcotics were taken? Where was the pill box? I just don't see how/why someone would only take 8 pills when there were more available.

In an addict's mind it may well be that somehow 8 seemed to them the "right" number that either wouldn't be missed or wouldn't cause much issue if missing.

I'm sure OP will not be able to get the pills replaced because of the monitoring that's getting tighter and tighter. A good friend is the manager of a practice of doctors that prescribes pain meds routinely as part of caring for their patients. I was surprised to find out they now have to have patients submit a urine sample as part of the process of ongoing care. The docs have been shocked at some of the results. My friend has been warning one of the docs about a particular patient for a year and a half. The drug screens proved unequivocally that the patient was absolutely not taking the pain meds that have been prescribed for nearly 3 years. Single patient, single script has potential of 250k profit selling those pills. Patient has been fired from their practice.

Criminals and addicts have no problem getting their hands on the drugs.

 

[NewRVLady]

aon Facebook

I don't understand. You have a "month box" with the pills you need to take for each day. It was presumably filled. After your family left, you noticed that 8 pills (of a certain type) were missing. Do you have other types of pills that these were mixed with? Only the narcotics were taken? Only SOME of the narcotics were taken? Where was the pill box? I just don't see how/why someone would only take 8 pills when there were more available.

In my MIL's case....couple needed money-instead my SIL made a big pot of gumbo( and let them take all the leftovers) and offered to fill up their car with gas.The meal was at MIL's. Her DH and nephew left for gas satation-at that time she guesses the addict girlfriend went looking in cabinets.
Later, When They left , she noticed one bottle of MIL's pills out on cabinet in Kitchen...they counted the pills and thought some missing

this girl also earlier posted on Facebook that someone she is close to wont speak to her...and its because of stealing...but it wasn't like REALLY stealing. That is how an addict talks-the medicine can be re-ordered, so if she takes some, it is not like REALLY STEALING

 

[Liberty Belle]

Ohhhhh okay thanks. Duh. I think we'll be seeing a lot less of the narcotic stealing since doctors are being cracked down on over prescribing those. They now have synthetic versions that are less appealing to drug addicts (also anti inflammatories work better for chronic pain). They used to give percocet out for back pain but that is being stopped. They really should only be prescribing these pills for right after surgery, just a few day's worth. They are highly addictive and dangerous and don't really even work after several day's use - it's more a placebo after that.

I was on percocet for six weeks for a herniated disc. Thank God they gave them to me - I was in severe pain. They worked just as well six weeks later as they did on day 1, though.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Sorry to thread jack OP, but it's hard for me to understand this. My brother has gone to jail repeatedly for possession and sale of these stupid pills (luckily we live 2,000 miles from each other so I'm not worried about him getting ours). The reason I didn't take them after my procedures is that they just didn't do anything for me! Vicodin, Percocet, morphine... Nothing helped the pain and so I told myself if nothing would help then I'd rather not take them (they have *crappy* side effects lol). I guess the appeal is if you take a lot of them, especially with alcohol, but it is something I can't relate to. I've been told the pills can sell for $10-$20 each!

I'm sorry OP. I find it very brazen that they took them from the daily pill box. That first shows me that they knew exactly what they were looking for (as opposed to finding a medicine bottle with a label) which means this probably isn't their first rendezvous with that drug.

I attended a pharmacogenetics seminar a year or so ago and the speaker explained that this happens occasionally. There are tests you can take to find out what you'll best respond to. It was very interesting.

 

[rajak73]

I have 2 different things about the drugs, years ago I was prescribed Xanex for anxiety. WOW is all I can say, I'm a electrician and I could have climbed that pole without a ladder or spikes! Didn't stay on that one very long, learned to control the anxiety without drugs. The other was last year when me and ladder had a disagreement and the ladder won, 2 cracked ribs and some bruises, doctor prescribed hydrocodone. Only took them when I went to bed, don't know if they worked or not, not sure if I would have felt worse if I hadn't had them. Still have some left, in a secure place.

 

[sharona]

Sorry to thread jack OP, but it's hard for me to understand this. My brother has gone to jail repeatedly for possession and sale of these stupid pills (luckily we live 2,000 miles from each other so I'm not worried about him getting ours). The reason I didn't take them after my procedures is that they just didn't do anything for me! Vicodin, Percocet, morphine... Nothing helped the pain and so I told myself if nothing would help then I'd rather not take them (they have *crappy* side effects lol). I guess the appeal is if you take a lot of them, especially with alcohol, but it is something I can't relate to. I've been told the pills can sell for $10-$20 each!

I'm sorry OP. I find it very brazen that they took them from the daily pill box. That first shows me that they knew exactly what they were looking for (as opposed to finding a medicine bottle with a label) which means this probably isn't their first rendezvous with that drug.

They chew them to get high instead of swallowing them for pain relief.

In 2014 there were more deaths from overdoses on prescription pain medications than all street drugs combined. It is one of the biggest epidemics in the U.S. Most people who abuse heroin started out as prescription pain medicine abusers, and when their habit became too expensive they resorted to heroin.

Oxycontin is sold on the street for approximately $1 a milligram.

Unfortunately for the OP she will probably not be able to get a few extra pills to "tide her over" without filing a police report, especially if her medication is prescribed by a pain management doctor.

OP, unfortunately, there probably isn't anything you can do, but I wouldn't sit silent about it, and I wouldn't play coy. I would send out a group email or text to everyone that was at your home stating that 8 of your pain pills, and only pain pills were missing. Tell them that it is obvious that the the person or persons that took them knew exactly what they were. Tell them that you will be left in pain and possibly withdrawal because of their actions, That you are hurt, angry, and disappointed that a family member would abuse your trust and your home in such a way, and that you sincerely hope that the person who did this seeks help, or if anyone reading this knows who did it they encourage that person to seek help.

From now on lock up narcotics.

Love your suggestion on what to do.

I don't understand. You have a "month box" with the pills you need to take for each day. It was presumably filled. After your family left, you noticed that 8 pills (of a certain type) were missing. Do you have other types of pills that these were mixed with? Only the narcotics were taken? Only SOME of the narcotics were taken? Where was the pill box? I just don't see how/why someone would only take 8 pills when there were more available.

Because addicts are sneaky and whoever it was thought it would go unnoticed if they just took 8.



OP - sorry this happened to you. If you suspect who it is, don't let them just get away with it without saying anything.

 

[sam_gordon]

Because addicts are sneaky and whoever it was thought it would go unnoticed if they just took 8.

Maybe I'm not picturing it correctly. I can see taking 8 out of a pill bottle that holds 30 and hoping they're not noticed. What I don't get is a box like this:

And then pills from 5 days taken out. Was there more than one pill in each day? Are the pills that recognizable out of their labeled bottle, and mixed with other pills?