Can I ask a family member's doctor not to prescribe narcotics?

Question

I have a family member who has a history abusing pain medications and has just recently detoxed. I would like to call his various doctor's and ask them not to prescribe these medications to him any longer. Can I do this? Will he get in any trouble?

Answer 1

Just notifying the doctors will help some what, but once you start asking questions in regards to the family members health condition then thats when you violate HIPPA laws.

Answer 2

If the patient is over 18; they cannot even tell you that the person is a patient there due to HIPA regulations.  You could send out letters with the information and just have it from no one.  That will get you farther b/c they will not know who it came from.  Just state that they need to note that the patient John Doe is a recovering pain medication abuser.  

Answer 3

You should probably mind your own business.  Addicts don't need other people "helping" them.

Answer 4

Addicts do need others to help them or they Will most likely end up dead 10-15 years from when they start to take drugs.

Most people cannot quit on their own but need others to support them and help them through the tough times.

and answering to your question, their doctor will more than likely have knowledge of any drug abuse/use by his patient and doctors only normally prescribe pain killing medicines if absolutely necessary to the patients health.

It is also unlikely they will get hooked on pain killing drugs again after only taking them for a little while.