Regarding my mother

sfbbb · Newbie

I'm in my early-20's, my mom lives with me and has relapses about twice a year where she disappears to smoke and load-up on pills. I just picked her up (again). I'd like to share my story; I need help.

She was driving me crazy about cravings for and insisted that we get lortabs to quell that. Now she has been acting a bit more reasonable but we're back to square-one. We need a plan that works, but that is mostly up to the individual. The pain-killed addiction is another story that stems from years of prescription abuse and a damaged nerve from back-surgery.

I live with her because her and my father recently divorced after about 25 years of marriage. She is from Africa and does not speak or write in English very well, which is one of the main reasons I believe that she does what she does. She is a very beautiful woman, who everyone loves, except herself. She has lived on her own more than once since the divorce and each-time she ends up with someone who uses her.

She's also been diagnosed as bi-polar, manic etc. and currently takes wellbutrin. Except she's been off that since she relapsed two weeks ago and I am really beginning to question the value of being on psych-drugs without being actively monitored by a physician. The last time she saw a psychiatrist was probably over a year or two ago - I think it was at a rehab clinic.

So tomorrow, I've scheduled an appointment with her Primary Care Physician. Only thing is, I don't know if she's ready to be honest. Should I force to her to be honest? Mostly we need to get a referral to a Psychiatrist, since she hasn't been in so-long. Also, I know there aren't any magic pills, but I really would like to get her a prescription to Suboxone to help her rid of her Opiate addiction... will that help with both rock-cocaine and Hydrocodone urges? Not even sure her primary can prescribe that.

It's nice to find a place for people like me. I read some of the posts and liked the honesty. I found ex-addicts calling-out addicts pretty amusing. Nice to meet you all and look-forward to building a relationship. Night.

Admin · Site Admin

Hello and

here.
I might thing that your mother drug addiction could be a result of self medication. Therefore I would suggest you an excellent website http://www.PsychEducation.org
I do not know the procedure of her medical insurance, but if she was priorly diagnosed with manic, bi-polar and etc. you may try to schedule direct visit to the psychiatrist.
Suboxone is aimed to help with opiate addiction and can't be used to treat crack cocaine addiction.
Are you are going to be present at doctor appointment, are you going to translate? If so, you may direct your concern about your mother drug use to the physician.
Wish you all the best,

sfbbb · Newbie

Thanks for the warm welcome. I am reviewing the phsychducation site now, thanks a bunch.

I will be present during the appointments, but not to translate, to ensure that the right messages are communicated. I have taken her car keys and will have to drive her to each appointment; I picked her up last week and she was home for a few days then disappeared.

Posting here has helped me to realize that her (emotional & hormonal) mental, cocaine, and opiate problems are three separate but interconnected issues.

One question I have is, what help might a primary physician be? If I skip our planned appointment tomorrow in favor of a psychiatrist, would that be a mistake?

Admin · Site Admin

Quote:

One question I have is, what help might a primary physician be? If I skip our planned appointment tomorrow in favor of a psychiatrist, would that be a mistake?

It depends when the last time she had her check up. If there is a substantial time interval, she may need her routine check up.