Can some one who is a recovering addict take???

Question

I have posted other times about a friend that is going threw a crisis. well today her hubby has dropped her off at my house, with all her belonging, minus her son. He left me with several unlabele bottles of her supposed medication. no direction on how to help her take them. She is a recovering vicodian addict. she had Gastric bypass 4 yrs ago. he has her on so many phyic meds i cant tell them apart. I looked on line and see one of these unlabeled pills is a pill called tramadol. Is it safe for a recovering addict( who by the way was clean for almost 2 yrs) to take? and i need help finding out what this other pill is. While with me, im going to try my best to support her. any opinions?

this other pill is a small white pill on the back it is cut like a cross, the front says mylan A 4? ANY IDEAS?

Answer 1

Maybe you should take the pills to a pharmacy before giving her anything. Doesn't she know what she takes?

You are a great friend-but remember, this addiction is bigger than you and your love for your friend. Only she can save herself-and only if she wants to. Take it from a recovering addict-there's a reason all of this is happening. Something brought her to this place of her own husband denying her a place to live. She needs to go to treatment or back to treatment if she's already gone. Your friendship, although wonderful, is going to enable her. People have to fall, and sometimes hard, to be able to get up again. You can't save her. Please consider helping her find help other than you. Your friendship truly means more if you don't become part of the problem.

Also, this situation could potentially ruin your friendship if you are not careful.S**t always happens to us addicts when we are in our addiction. Don't let yourself get pulled into this. It will only make your life hard, destroy a friendship,and create resentments for you.

Best of luck :)

Answer 2

A pharmacist can help, but if her husband is dropping her off, is he the one who is struggling with his wife's health problems, or is he just a jerk? If your friend is having severe health problems she should be talking to a doctor. If she is sick right this moment and needs meds, I would consider taking her to the ER. I believe tramadol is to help people recovering from addictions. However, addictions do not last 2 years. You gotta get professional advice for her. Again, if she is freaking out right now and you can't wait for a doc appointment, the ER is the place to take her for some help. Take all her meds with you if you go.

Answer 3

In my opinion, it would be totally inappropriate and dangerous for you to assume what the pills & dosage instructions are. I recommend that she call the pharmacy now (hopefully hers is open 24/7!). She can tell them that she is allowing you to get on the phone, after she describes the circumstances, and verbally gives permission for them to give instructions to you. Or go and pick up her instructions from the pharmacy now.

If they aren't open now, call the doc on-call and follow instructions. Hope that works for both of you!

Answer 4

Call her doctor.  Tell them just what happened and get her to tell him that it is okay for him to tell you about her conditions and medicine. The HIPPA law protects her right to privacy and the only way you might can help is call the doctor.  Tramadol can be addictive, but not sure of anything else.  Good Luck and be a friend.